Leave Whats Left

© AG Photography

I can’t tell the whole story of this truly amazing and captivating location because I am just beginning to learn about it myself, and to be completely honest, I find myself hesitant to share what I have discovered with those who don’t already have some knowledge—out of a lingering fear that the wrong person might stumble upon it and inadvertently ruin such a breathtaking masterpiece. It is a burden I am simply not willing to take on. What I will say is this: if you are ever fortunate enough to have the opportunity to find this hidden gem in your path, I sincerely pray that you feel the same depth of appreciation I felt while I was there. Without ever knowing the individuals who once called this place home, I can sense that they were brimming with wisdom, passion, hope, creativity, and an abundance of love. They created and left behind far more than what I see on the surface of this property, which I might describe as a "gallery." They left behind not only the elements I mentioned above but also an intricate story that resonates throughout the space. Art. Inspiration. And for all of this, I am left with a profoundly grateful heart today.

“Why Are Your Prices Going Up?”

A lot of my clients have been questioning why my prices are suddenly going up and why photography services in general are so expensive. I thought I would take a minute to break this down.

Since I was young I have always loved photography. My first experience with a camera was when I was around seven or eight years old and my grandmother allowed me to use her polaroid camera. I was immediately blown away by the magic I had created and to make a short story even shorter, I’ve never stopped seeing the magic in photography since.

Photography was just a hobby before I started offering portrait sessions back in 2015 as a “side hustle”. I was a new mother and I was trying to find a way to continue being a stay at home mom and also make my own money. My sons father and I officially went our separate ways just months before my son turned a year old, which led me to a greater need for financial stability.

Ironically, I didn’t immediately think to myself “I’m going to become a portrait photographer and start making money”. I actually decided to list my camera gear online in hopes of making some quick cash to support some immediate needs. My sister asked me if I would take some photos of her before I got rid of my camera and I agreed. She loved the photos and so did I. We shared them on social media and before I knew it, people were asking me to do their photos too. Needless to say- I kept the camera and I’ve been an ever-growing professional photographer since.

Photography is an investment though! It is very expensive to own proper equipment and it is even more expensive if you choose to make it your profession. It is NOT as simple as just owning a camera and it IS my job and the way that I make money to support myself and my family.

Here is a breakdown of the things I pay for in order to deliver the quality images you will receive

Camera, Lenses, Batteries

Computer

Memory Cards

Editing Software

Portfolio Website

Unique Domain Name

Online Gallery/ digital gallery / client proofing

Business cards

Content builder

Travel

props

backdrops

wear and tear (on EVERYTHING)

Insurance

Now, not every photographer uses the same equipment, platforms, software and workflow. These are just the main expenses I personally pay to keep my business up and running.

The two things you are paying for that are even more valuable for YOU are:

My TIME

My TALENT

You might be thinking to yourself “sessions are only one hour long!!” and that’s true- or typically true anyway. But my job doesn’t start OR end with your session. My job begins long before you and I even make contact and my job doesn’t end until I have delivered your gallery and/or your physical products.

The process of editing can be very time consuming. I do my best to complete each album as quickly and efficiently as possible, but in order to deliver quality albums, it does require time. It also requires electricity, WIFI and the use of software, storage, and all the other things I mentioned above as well.

Like everything else, my prices increase when the cost of living increases. Like you, I need to keep up with my bills! And as we are all familiar- many bills exist.

Food

Shelter

Car Maintenance

Gas

Vet Bills

Clothing

Hygiene

Electrictiy

Medical bills

Phone

Wifi

Credit cards

etc.

No, this does not mean that it is YOUR job to pay MY bills. That would be ridiculous. But I do need to make sure that I am being paid adequately by each client, the same that anyone else would expect to be paid. You pay a lump sum for a session but you are not simply paying for the one physical hour we spend together- the amount you are paying me covers ALL the hours of travel, shooting & editing that I put into your individual session.

In any business, there are sometimes requirements for upgrades. For example; my camera which I have been using for nearly a decade finally maxed out and is no longer with me (may it R.I.P). This means I’ve had to upgrade… which equals more $$. That doesn’t necessarily mean I am raising my prices again, but it does mean I need to make more money to compensate.

The last thing I can think to include here is a very important one! The cost of EDUCATION is not cheap! If you know, you know. I pay a mentor by the month to help me continue to grow in my business, so I can continue offering the best services and best final products to all my clients. I spent several hours each week investing in myself and my business through learning. While it is amazing to learn and thrive- and it most certainly benefits You and I both- it is one more very expensive tab!

I want to end this by stating how much I do appreciate my clients! As you can see, it takes quite a bit to run a business and pay all of my bills. This wouldn’t be possible without you and the amazing support and love you have for AG Photography and to say I am grateful is SUCH an understatement!! This is why I do try to go above and beyond for you all- especially my repeat clients by offering discounts and locked in prices!

Now that you have a better understanding of why photography services are so expensive, I hope you are able to have a greater appreciation for your own photographer (be it me or someone else). We love what we do, but we love it so much more when or clients GET IT too:).

So much love to you all! <3

AG

Against The Grain

It’s truly amazing to witness what can happen when you allow yourself to simply let go of the numerous things or even people in your life that hinder your personal growth and happiness. Over the last couple of years, I’ve made it a habit to actively practice this process of release, and it has profoundly empowered me in a way I often struggle to articulate clearly. Letting go does not dismiss or negate the inevitable suffering and pain that we all encounter; rather, it simply offers grace and compassion to those who genuinely feel the need to find their own way—a different path—toward healing. We live in a world that often encourages us to forget that we are meant to be fully LIVING our lives. So many of us fail to grasp the fundamental difference between altruism and fawning behavior, which can lead to an unhealthy cycle as we prioritize pleasing others over caring for ourselves in a way that allows us to genuinely experience our own happiness. This realization, for me, is how it all began—through the act of letting go. Letting be. Learning to LIVE against the grain of societal expectations in order to wholeheartedly welcome and embrace the most authentic version of my SELF—even in the face of those who may harbor deep-seated disdain towards me, perhaps stemming from the darkest aches of their own souls.

Be you. Be unapologetically you, embracing every unique aspect of your identity. Do it with certainty, holding firmly to your beliefs and values, and most importantly, do it with love and grace, extending kindness not only to yourself but also to those around you.

AG, in case you were wondering, is an acronym that stands for Auburn Gypsy—my alter ego, if you will. You might be asking yourself why I wouldn’t simply use that full title instead of turning it into an acronym and causing people to wonder what it stands for. The reason for this choice is quite simple; even after seriously considering changing the name due to the controversial and sensitive use of the term “Gypsy”—which I promise to discuss further in a separate blog post coming soon—I still cherish and love what it has always signified for me personally. You see, I grew up understanding Gypsy to be the word that represented a human being who broke free from the restricting chains of societal norms and expectations—someone who lived life on her own terms, never needing to rely on or be influenced by the opinions and judgments of others. To me, Gypsy is deeply symbolic of autonomy and the essence of FREEDOM. The woman I have envisioned for most of my life dances around joyfully, adorned in colorful fabrics and fun, symbolic jewelry that holds value only in how it makes her feel in the moment. Gypsy has continually represented the ultimate goal for me, and while I completely understand that there are multiple meanings attached to the word and I truly appreciate the depth of those interpretations, for me, it occupies a sacred space that has been stored within my soul ever since I was a child. I’m choosing to lock it up and let it exist in its purest form.

More recently, the acronym has taken on an even deeper sentimental meaning for me than just Auburn Gypsy. I came to a profound realization that it could also stand for “Against the Grain,” which resonates strongly with my artistic journey. Furthermore, a dear friend of mine, who happens to be one of my biggest supporters throughout my photography endeavors, affectionately calls me “AG.” Therefore, while I continue to cherish the name Auburn Gypsy, it is with great pride that I embrace AG Photography as my creative identity, where I truly remain. <3

AG