Affording Family or Senior Photos
In today’s economic climate, families are facing tough decisions about where to allocate their resources. Trust me, I understand! As a mom of three boys, I understand the toll that inflation and rising expenses has taken on a family budget (and let’s not talk about grocery prices, because it’s just ridiculous). While photography may seem like a luxury item, there’s a really compelling reason to still book your senior and family photos this year: time. Time is passing just as quickly, and a quick search of Instagram shows things like meaningful family photos are taking precedence over items like handbags, home decor, and fancy outfits. That’s cause when things are tight, memories matter more than ever.
Here are some practical tips to make the experience of family or senior photos more affordable:
Connect with me to get a clear summary of the cost of senior photos: I really strive to make sure my clients understand ever fee, timeline, and package that I offer. It’s terrible to book a service with a hairdresser or vendor and find out that you were charged a fee you didn’t know about. Especially right now, when times are tough! If you are getting a quote from me, know that I am honest and upfront about the costs, and try to offer prices that still maintain my high-quality work.
Senior photos (or even family photos) can make a perfect gift: Did loved ones what to get you for Christmas or a birthday? Suggest family photos in leu of something you may never use, like a gadget or knick-knack. For high school seniors, a senior photo shoot can be a perfect gift from extended family if they choose to go in on something meaningful.
Allocate a part of your family budget towards photos: Setting aside a little bit each month for a year can go a long way towards a photo session. Budget experts call these “sinking funds”, but they are really just a simple way of setting aside money each month for a short-term goal. If you set aside $50-$100 a month, that will make a significant dent in the cost of senior or family photos, and can feel less overwhelming than coming up with the whole cost at once. Broken down, that’s $12.50 or $25 per week, which you may already be using on drive-through coffee, right?
Add up tiny amounts of change: It may sound silly, but one uniquely creative budget tip involves starting a "Memory Jar" specifically designated for spare change. Designate a decorative jar or container and encourage everyone in the family to contribute any loose change they come across. Label it as the "Photo Fund. This approach not only makes saving for photography services a communal effort but also turns the process into a fun and interactive family activity, especially for little ones. As the jar fills up over time, you'll witness the tangible progress towards your goal. Plus, it's a visual representation of how small, consistent contributions can accumulate to fund meaningful experiences for the entire family.
The investment in saving for photos helps teach creativity and resourcefulness, and can make the photos more meaningful to the graduation seniors or your family members. Navigating tight budget is harder now than ever, but you will never regret capturing precious and irreplaceable memories!