I've had many people ask how they could purchase some of the images I've taken during my travels. Well, wait no more. Thanks to the great folks over at SmugMug, I'm excited to announce that you can now shop 'til your hearts content and purchase some new decor for your home or pick up a unique, custom photography print for a gift for someone special. What are you waiting on? Head on over to the Matt Nicolosi Photographic Art Gallery Shop and check out the galleries from Italy, Seattle, Berlin, Boston, and a collection of nostalgic images I'm calling Americana. I'm still working on a few details and I'll be adding more images, galleries and products in the future, so check back often.

Occasionally potential clients, friends, or even people I just met will ask about the costs of custom photography, and generally they're curious about the investment involved when they can buy an 8x10 print for less than $2 at many discount retail stores and pharmacies. Marianne Drenthe has created a fantastic Consumer Guide for Custom Photography over at www.professionalchildphotographer.com that talks specifically to this subject. She has graciously made this info available for custom photographers to help educate people on both what custom photography is and what it costs. Here is her explanation on the investment involved for both the client and the photographer.

"Why Does Custom Photography Cost More? Digital technology is brilliant. The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and amazing amounts of control for the photographer, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur. With flexibility comes a price though. Camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into all of this. Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory) you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile: "How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at the local drug store?" The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, aforementioned equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business. TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER: Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine if you will that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is travelling an hour to your on location session. TIme break down: * session prep time (30 mins - 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks) * one hour travel time TO session * 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home * 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject * one hour travel time FROM session * 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer * 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images * 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images * 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering * 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images * 1 hour sorting through and checking order * 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery * 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped * any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues As you can see, average client time for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to your session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session. COSTS of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER: Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer. Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client. Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc. APPLES to ORANGES: Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. According to several articles at the time, did you know that in February 2007 a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ "professional" prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough - those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your "PORTRAITS" are considered the true "loss leader". Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, "SAY CHEESE" experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer. REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER: Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc.. Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation. I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment."

You can also click on the following links for more helpful information regarding custom photography: What is Custom Photography? Why Choose Custom Photography?

I'm excited to announce a new collection of beautiful, rich textures from Florence is in the works and should be ready in the next couple weeks. I've pulled together roughly 50 of my favorite textures from Italy, and I've been using them as overlays and blends to add a unique, artistic, timeless feel to some images I've been working on. Stay tuned for more details and pricing information!

I was pleasantly surprised to find out today my little blog is featured on blogs of photogs. I've been to this site many a time to see some fantastic, fresh blogs and to be inspired by some crazy talented photographers, so it was fun to hear from Mary Hanson that I had been selected for the latest feature. Thanks so much, Mary, for the sweet write up... I'm honored and humbled to be chosen for your site! Head on over to blogsofphotogs.com to see and be inspired by all the great photographers Mary has featured.

Sorry for the delay in announcing the family that will receive the $1500 custom photography gift in this year's Big Christmas Giveaway. There were a lot of amazing people and families nominated, and it was incredibly difficult picking just one. And I wanted to make sure I had to chance to notify everyone that wrote in before posting anything on the blog. I wish I could photograph each and everyone of them, but I hope to do something like this again soon where I - and other photographers - can give a small gift to many who are tremendous examples of courage and strength. To all those that wrote in on behalf of someone that didn't get selected - thank you... and I'm sorry. I was truly humbled and moved by their stories, and it feels gut-wrenching not to be able to photograph some of these amazing people/families. I hope I - or another photographer - has this privilege in the future. As I said, there were so many incredible and heart-breaking stories... choosing just one felt impossible. In the end, though, I kept coming back to Julie. When her sister-in-law Terrah wrote in to tell me about Julie and her kids and the struggles they've overcome and the victory she continues to fight for, I couldn't help but gravitate towards her story. Without further ado, with permission from both Terrah and Julie (who didn't know Terrah had written to me about her), here is Terrah's nomination:

"Hello Matt, My name is Terrah Rominger and I live in Garland, TX. I have been following your blog and flickr photostream for awhile because I am intrigued with photography and am inspired by your work. :) Today I am writing you in regards to your "Big Christmas Giveaway." It would be for someone that is very close to not only my heart but my husband's and his family. Julie Bates. She is my sister-in-law who is the most strong-willed and inspiring person I know. Julie has 3 gorgeous children: Sarah, Katherine, and Thomas. Julie's mother passed away of breast cancer about the same age as she is now, 34. She shortly lost her brother to cancer as well. Unfortunately, Julie and her oldest daughter, Sarah, have carried on the cancerous genes. They were in the hospital together for the year of 2003. We almost lost Sarah of Adrenal Cancer. She has been in and out of surgeries, removing inner body parts on each one. Julie was suffering with breast cancer for the second time. They both pulled through and things seemed to be good for awhile. Their hair grew back and they were constantly glowing with happiness. Everything seemed wonderful except Julie and her husband had not been getting along so well. After years of struggle emotionally, financially, and health wise the two of them decided to separate. At one point he became somewhat abusive and Julie and the kids went into a women's shelter. She gained strength, filed for divorce and moved back to Texas with the kids this year with her dad in Garland. We were all thankful when she moved back home because she was closer to us and we knew she would be out of that abusive relationship. The kids found a new school and Julie found a new job. Things were starting to look up again. On October 31st Julie found out that she has cancerous tumors on her liver. They are larger than they have ever been before. She also was one of the employees that got laid off that day at her new job. Today as I write you Julie is in the hospital with cancer of the liver. The doctor says she will need to stay for a couple of days. As I just quickly reread this I realized it sounds pretty sad and dreary but please know that Julie is full of life and is always smiling. She inspires others and is a true, genuine spirit. The least I can do for her is enter her in your contest. She would love to have professional pictures done with her and her beautiful family."

Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to write in and nominate someone special. As I mentioned, I hope to do this again soon, so stay tuned on the blog for future giveaways.