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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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.

Recently, I had the opportunity to cover the back-to-school event for the staff, and it was an eye-opening experience. The theme, Embracing the Future and AI, couldn’t have been more timely. As someone who’s always curious about the intersection of technology and creativity, I was thrilled to be in the room for this discussion.

The event was a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is shaping the way we work, learn, and create. From streamlining tasks to enhancing creativity, AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a tool that’s becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives. But what stood out to me the most was the emphasis on how we use these tools, rather than letting them use us.

One of the key takeaways was the importance of maintaining a balance. AI can be incredibly powerful, but it’s essential to stay in the driver’s seat. We explored practical ways to leverage AI for productivity and innovation while staying true to our unique human touch. After all, technology is at its best when it complements our skills, not replaces them.

As a photographer and storyteller, I couldn’t help but think about how AI is transforming the creative industry. From editing tools to content generation, the possibilities are endless. But the heart of any great story or image still lies in the human experience—the emotions, the perspectives, and the moments that only we can capture.

The perks of covering events like this go beyond the photos I take or the stories I share. It’s about the knowledge I gain and the connections I make. This event reminded me that the future isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace, understand, and shape.

I left the event feeling inspired and equipped with new tools to navigate this ever-evolving landscape. Whether you’re an educator, a creative, or simply someone curious about the future, the message was clear: AI is here to stay, and it’s up to us to use it wisely.

Here’s to embracing the future—one click, one idea, and one lesson at a time.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend and photograph the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) conference in the heart of Chicago. Armed with a Canon R3, I immersed myself in the vibrant atmosphere of the conference halls and exhibit spaces, capturing the energy and essence of this world-class event.

Sometimes, it’s the moments in between the action that really stand out. These shots are an outtake from a College of DuPage football game—a quiet pause in an otherwise high-energy atmosphere. There's something about capturing these candid, unscripted moments that tells the story beyond the game itself. Whether it's the intensity on a player's face or the calm before the next big play, these outtakes often hold as much emotion as the action-packed shots.

That’s the beauty of sports photography—not every great image happens during the game-winning touchdown.