How much is your family worth?
If you’re like the majority of people, you probably answered “they’re priceless” to that question. The truth is though that, some people, will put a price on this question. Let me explain.
In 2002, I photographed a young family. Mum, Dad and their two girls came in all dressed up. I photographed the sisters together, on their own and then with Mum and Dad as a complete family. Mum and Dad purchased a large portrait which, at the time, was worth $1690. They framed the portrait and displayed it in their home. I recently saw the father and we had a chat. He told me that, there’s not a day that goes by that he looks at that portrait and cherishes it. That’s twenty three years of enjoyment of a portrait that is, essentially, priceless. You cannot put a value on memories.
Is your family worth twenty cents?
Of course they are! They’re worth a lot more than twenty cents!! Well, the family I just spoke about have paid just 20 cents a day to have their beautiful portrait on their wall. Let’s break that down. $1690 was their total. Over 23 years, that equates to $73 a year, $6.12 a month or 20 cents a day. That “cost” will just keep coming down over the years…or will the value just go up? Unfortunately though, even though most people will answer that their family is priceless, they will put a price on them and it’s usually a lot lower than 20 cents a day.
You value your phone more than your family.
The latest iPhone retails from $1799 and has a life of about 2 years. That’s $75 a month or $2.50 a day. After which, you’ll update and start the whole process again. The truth is, that figure will go up as the cost of the phone goes up. By the time the iPhone 17 comes out, it will probably cost you $3 a day. I’ve heard every argument you can imagine and, every time I bring up the comparison with a phone, the reply I get is the same. “Yes but I use my phone every day and it’s important to keep in contact with my family. Plus I can get a friend of mine to take my photos and they’re charging me $150”. Going by that argument, you can also get a phone for $150, but you still chose the iPhone. So where does your value actually lie?
So what are you actually purchasing from a professional photographer?
Notice I used the term “professional photographer”. There is a difference. I like to cook but I’m not a chef. I have a friend who is an amazing chef. I don’t even come close to what he can do. I’m actually quite embarrassed to talk about cooking in front of him. I often change the subject. My point is, there’s more to cooking than having a nice kitchen and good knives. There’s also more to creating a family portrait than having a good camera. It’s not about the tools. What you’re purchasing isn’t a piece of paper with an image on it. You’re purchasing priceless memories. A moment in time that will never happen again. You are purchasing a moment of your family’s history that your children, grandchildren and maybe even great grandchildren will one day treasure.
Is that worth 20 cents? All of a sudden, that new phone isn’t very important any more, is it? If you’re ready to book your Family Portrait Session, you can contact me HERE
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