The Price of a Party

Nothing in recent memory has compelled me to revisit my blog more than my recent search for a photographer for my daughter’s 1st birthday celebration.

Our family of 3 is … dare I say chill? Our attempts to squeeze 35 people in a 1,400-sq foot home are indicative of our belief that renting a venue for a child’s birthday party is a whole vibe. And not ours. (But if it’s yours, please hire me!)

In looking for someone laid-back and friendly who would pop in for an hour for a couple quick portraits and photos of the cake smash, there was no shortage of options here in Austin. They ranged from the budget-photography platforms (whose SEO is already so inflated they will remain nameless here) to the high-end options that topped out at a whopping $750 an hour before paying for digital files or prints.

But the majority of my finds ranged from $350-$400 an hour, most with a 2-hour minimum, which left me scratching my head. Have I lost my mind with my own price range of $150-$200 an hour for events, or has the rest of the world?

It’s worth mentionoing that portraiture, for which extensive retouching and editing is the norm, as well as for wedding photography where stakes - and stress levels - are high for photographers, an hourly rate of roughly $400 is and should be standard. But what distinguishes a high-pressure quincenara from a party where the guest of honor is likely to be covered in three layers of dirt, snot, and frosting surely should be reflected in the price.

The end result? As someone who has lost many a gig to someone’s “cousin with a great camera,” I am, suprisingly, resigned to shooting this party myself. As a new mom who has precious few candid moments with her daughter caught on camera, I’m annoyed.

The other end result? Despite a sweltering summer where business has been on the slow end of normal, I’m freezing my rates. Call it a balm on the blistering heat. Or call it what it is: A belief that the parents out there wiping that dirt, snot, and frosting deserve birthday party photography that costs less than the cake (see future ranting blog post on cake prices).

All Y’alls,
Mindi

Deep in the Heart ...

Last week marked my second full year in Austin, Texas. While it's not nearly long enough to call myself an official Austinite, enough time has passed that the image in my head of the stereotypical Texan has faded for me - in part because, of course, not everyone fits the description. But it also helps that the stereotypes do exist, and I've gotten used to seeing them walking around all over the gaht durnt place. 

But a four-day trip to Dallas to shoot Alpha Kappa Psi's annual international convention reminded me that the Yosemite Sam-like caricature that is the rest of the world's view of a Texan is still going strong. The brothers hailed from all over the world, but few neglected to pack a Stetson, bolo tie, flannel shirt and/or boots for the occasion. 

The stars at night were big and bright in Dallas last week. Here's some proof.