"Why Does This Cost So Much?" (The Real Math Behind Professional Creative Work)
Let's start with an uncomfortable truth: my rates aren't high - the baseline cost of doing professional creative work in 2025 is high. What you're really asking is why quality isn't cheap, and that's a conversation worth having.
The Real Costs You Never See
The Gear Trap
A professional camera setup today costs $8,000−$15,000
Manufacturers now expect us to replace bodies every 3-5 years
The computer needed to edit 8K video? Another $5,000
And all of this depreciates faster than a new car
The Subscription Economy
Adobe Creative Cloud: $600/year
Website hosting: $300/year
Cloud storage: $400/year
Business software: $1,000/year
Total: $2,300/year just to stay in business
The Hidden Time Tax
For every hour shooting:
1 hour pre-production (emails, planning, logistics)
hours of post-production (editing, revisions, delivery)
1 hour admin (invoicing, accounting, chasing payments)
Why Freelancers Can't Be Your "Budget Option" Anymore
Remember when companies had:
In-house photographers with benefits
Equipment budgets
Dedicated creative teams
That infrastructure didn't disappear - it just got shifted to freelancers. Now instead of paying one salary, you're paying:
My equipment costs
My healthcare
My retirement
My business expenses
This isn't inflation - this is the true cost of quality work.
The Alternative Is More Expensive
Think my rates are high? Consider:
The cost of reshoots when amateur work fails
Lost opportunities from subpar visuals
The hours your team wastes managing bad vendors
Good creative work isn't an expense - it's an investment that pays for itself.
The Bottom Line
I don't set prices based on what I wish I could charge. I set them based on what it costs to:
Deliver professional results
Maintain reliable equipment
Stay in business next year
You're not just paying for what I do - you're paying for what I've done:
10,000 hours of solving problems before they become your problems.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about finding the cheapest option—it’s about finding the right partner. Someone who:
✔️ Shows up prepared (so you don’t have to manage the process)
✔️ Delivers consistent quality (so you look as professional as you are)
✔️ Will still be here next year (so your branding stays cohesive)
The best projects start with an honest conversation. Let’s discuss:
What you truly need (not just what fits an arbitrary budget)
How we can maximize your investment
Why working with an experienced pro saves you time and stress
I’m not just selling photos/videos—I’m offering peace of mind. Let’s talk about how to make your vision real.