Hey ya'll! 
I wanted to make a quick little entry to breakdown what a lot of folks have questions about, or may have wondered when it comes to a professional, full time photographer and what they charge. 
So this is what goes into a session rate!
When setting an amount for a photography session as a business owner I must consider a lot of things. Of course I want my rates to be affordable for clients but I also have to look at my investment into that client and at the end of it all be able to make profit enough to support my family :)
I have to consider the cost of my gear and the quality I'm able to deliver. No, a good camera doesn't make a good photographer. It's the eye, editing, vision, and experience. On the other hand, a pricey camera, lenses, lighting, editing programs etc. is able in the right hands deliver crisper images that are able to be printed into awesome huge canvases, clear prints, more real life color and detail. It also helps me as your photographer be able to cut down my image processing time. Maintenance on cameras, insurance, website costs and so many other what seem like tiny things go into consideration too. 
I have to consider the time I take to reach all of you fine people, our conversations, the hours of updating social media accounts, consultations, fine tuning the perfect session for you wether that means buying materials for our session, or simply traveling to the spot and back home. The time we spent together during the session itself, the most time- hours of editing your session deserves. The communication we have after the session, and delivering the session. 
I know as a fact, because I wasn't always in this profession that it's easy for people to receive a quote and think, "Wow just for an hour?" But it is SO much more than that. There's a fine line between photographers in the industry that overcharge, and I mean truly overcharge for what they are delivering and their fine print. And then there's good honest, photographers who work tirelessly with their whole hearts, charging just enough to pay the bills and maintain their profession. 
Because of my clients I'm able to budget strictly and work for myself, enjoying what I do. I had no idea how much work it would take day in and day out to do this full time. But I'm thankful for the opportunity. I'm proud to say that I deliver the absolute best experience I can in the rate that I charge and that my clients find value in that. That people find me worth it.  It brings me to tears to think of the kind people I've had stick with me through my portfolio building here in the south, years ago that paid so much less and helped me work to where I am today. Who stuck with me through photographing with my $400 camera kit to what I work with now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart from this small business owner, who's just following her dream <3 

These two cuties in this picture are why I do what I do. They're why I wake up in the morning excited about life. About another chance to teach them things. To help mold them into caring, compassionate, loving little people. They're why I work so hard to grow my small photography business into something to be proud of. My profits from my hard work is how I secure our home, how we can take adventures that put lights into their eyes, to spend family time that I wouldn't trade for the world. To buy the second hand books from Once Upon A Child that they love so much and probably too many other things that are just plain fun because they saw it on tv and they want it. It's also why I have a won't give up attitude. They're watching me. They're watching how I speak to people. They're watching my work ethic. 
These two life changers are why sometimes at sessions it doesn't look like I got more than an hour of sleep. It's because it's true a lot of times. If it's not because they were restless that night it's because I tried to spend as much time with them as possible during the day, to breathe in the little moments. That meant I needed to stay up until 2am to edit and hold my promises to clients. They're why my face is naked, and my clothes are worn. I pretty well only own pajamas and work clothes. Because providing for them is far more important than those material things. and to be frank- I can take that money to go on a day trip, or a weekend and show them the world. 
They're why my selfie game is farrr from on point. My instrgram, has 5 pictures, my facebook posts come in spurts, while I steal a few minutes at the computer before I hear "Mom" again. Thank God for my husband's unconditional support because I wouldn't be able to do this without him. I asked him to take a chance, a leap if you will, with me and hand in hand we did. 
A lot of people don't know how many hours my husband puts into helping me with last minute diy projects for sessions, organization, reorganization and a honey do list the size of the Declaration of Independence. Hats off to you honey for juggling a wife with a huge dream, and two toddlers with all of the energy. I mean it, he's the man. 
This business is also my baby, I've put a lot of hard work and dedication into for many years now and it takes everyday maintenance. It takes pinching pennies, tons of time management and a whole lot of customer service at the end of some days I don't feel like I have. It takes a lot of prayer. God willing it will continue to grow and thrive and I'll be able to continue pursuing my dreams. Never in a million years did I think I would be where I am, doing what I love surrounded by the most precious gifts of my life.
 I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support- and so does my family <3

My husband makes fun of me playfully on almost a daily basis. Why? Because I am running a very "tech" needed business, and I hardly know how to work things. Ha! Anyway, I'm loving the idea of a blog lately after getting inspired by one of my clients and friends, the owner of Yoga East, Jennifer Dixon. Long story short, I hope to be bloggin' from here on out! I can't promise an everyday post but when I have something to share- I'll do it here! Baby steps on getting hip with the social media must haves for small businesses like mine :)
Small introduction of myself:
I'm 26 years old and am a busy mom, wife and business owner. I started photography as a hobby and honestly fell in love. Found my happy place behind just playing around with macro shots behind my camera in high school. Between photography and music my teenage years were much more enjoyable! I went to school for teaching and planned to do special education but like many others I struggled with the daunting idea of debt and what that would mean for my future. Why special needs? I have a little brother, a hero, that inspired me. Not only do I just love kids, but I love this kid SO much. He was born 4 months early and spent a huge chunk of beginning of his life in the NICU at UofM Ann Arbor Children's Hospital. Though he's the most astounding, happy, 14 year old his early start at life left him with some disabilities. He's why I first took to the idea of teaching, just to work with kids like my brother. But little did I know that this career I've chosen fits the way I want to work with kids so much better than I ever dreamed. 
I moved from Michigan in 2015 to first Chattanooga, TN and just recently settled in to Fort Oglethorpe with my family. This way I get to be closer to all of my Georgia following and still super close to the Noogans I love. I run this photography business full time and even though it's challenging everyday, and very time consuming, I find much joy in it. I'm able to spend time with my family on a new level. I get to build relationships with the most amazing people through what I do and I can't envision ever doing anything else. It's been 7, almost 8 years I've been photographing and I plan to do it as long as I have the clients, the vision, and the potential to keep getting better and growing! 
Thank you for reading <3 And thank you for considering Amour Photography & Co. for your photography needs. I, and my family appreciate it :)