Photo Studios: High End Studios Vs. Low End Studios - A Comparison

If you’re considering having your portrait taken, the thought may have crossed your mind: Why should I pay more for a high end photography studio, when I can just get my photo taken at a low-end studio? This article will explore this question in depth. By the end of this article, you’ll have a very good idea of which would serve your needs better.

First of all, understand that a high end studio and a low end studio service completely different clients with a completely different set of needs.

A high end studio is dedicated to providing high quality photographs. They work with professionals with years of experience to provide you the best possible portrait.

A low end studio on the other hand works to provide a mass amount of photos at as low a price as possible. The photographers don’t have to be nearly as well trained. In fact, highly skilled professionals generally avoid working in low end studios – After all, why would they get paid less when they’re worth that much more?

What will you get at a high end studio that you won’t get at a low end studio?

First of all, the photographers will be far more relaxed and that their time in educating you and posing you. They’ll make sure they do everything they can to get you the best photograph.

Low end studios on the other hand, will often just march you to the shoot, sit you down, stick you in a pose and start snapping away.

At low end studios, typically at department stores, the equipment restricts the flexibility of the photographer. The seating and lighting is fixed, and the camera's movement is also fixed. At high end studios, the photographer has complete flexibility. They can adjust, move, and remove lighting, and select the right camera position and angle to ensure that your “best side” is in the picture.

With a high end studio, you’re paying for professional advice. Professionals who’ve spent years studying colors, lighting, photography, art, etc. With a low end studio, you’re paying for a “fast food” like studio whose goal is to get you a photo you won’t complain about in as little time as possible. As you can imagine, you won’t be getting an artistic masterpiece.

A professional photographer often specializes in either studio or on-location photography. Selecting a professional photographer that has specific expertise in the venue you're interested in will help to ensure you get the best results.

Perhaps one of the most distinct differences between high and low end photography studios is the care the photographer takes. High end professional photographers take the time to get to know you, the client. Instead of using the same standard family poses, for example, your photographer will select poses that work with your unique family dynamics. They are also sure to select high quality materials, to prevent your photographs from fading or becoming damaged over time.

Lastly, many high-end studios have the capability to digitally alter images, which they can use for touch-ups, or to super-impose images for effect, or to modify colors, like adding color to certain areas of a black-and-white image.

Now you have a good idea of what some of the differences between a low end and a high end studio are. In the end the decision of which one to go with is yours and depends entirely upon your criteria: High quality or low price.