Jill Will Run

As a race photographer who is also a runner, I'm constantly irritated at how much the race photos cost, BUT... I also know you're not just paying for the photos. I carry over $10,000 of photography equipment when I shoot a race. I also carry insurance for that equipment and for liability. I also have to pay for my education (still paying off those student loans) and for my business expenses. What photographers charge runners is so frequently a source of tension and frustration, and I hate paying money for photos of me running when I'm a photographer myself and know their shots aren't as good as mine! ; ) What I can say is, before everyone gets too upset about it, please bear in mind just how expensive it is to be a photographer and pay for the equipment, viewing gallery sites, etc. Also, for every hour a photographer is on the course with you, he/she is spending multiple hours in the digital darkroom of their computers, processing and refining the photographs and prepping them for upload and purchase. When you break it all out, it's actually barely minimum wage. So please, bear that in mind before you get TOO upset about what is being charged. Yes, it costs $.21 to produce a print. Yes, a download is free. That's not what you're paying for.

I actually just purchased a bunch from our local place for the races I participated in because I wanted something to remember them by and at those I didn't have anyone else to take my photo. My last race I took my BF along and made him bring his camera so I wouldn't have to take it in the wallet after pushing my way along the 26.2 mile course. That's my plan for any future race. I can't afford it. Oh and the kicker...our local race planning site wouldn't let me go from race to race and have on big cart full of photos. I had to order from each race separately and was charged separate shipping. BUT they sent the photos in one big package anyway! AND then they sent them twice! So now I have doubles! sheesh.

ah, the prices are ridiculous!! The only reason I have *any* is because my Dad gets a huge kick out of them and has ordered photos from two of my half-marathons. It's endearing, on his part, but I'd never pay for it..haha!

Hi, I found your blog and well....loved the name as it's close to mine :). I think race pictures are outrageous also, especially the $6.95 to ship it when it clearly costs them about $.95. I do buy them on occassion IF the race holds a special meaning to me (Boston for instance) or if I just had a great experience overall. But it's pretty rare. What annoys me is that a year later, you still get an email from that race wanting you to buy and rarely are the prices reduced. Just so crazy! I will enjoy reading your running journey and sharing the road with you! Thanks!

Too true. If the digital copies were around $15-$20 then I'd consider forking over the money for them. Unfortunately, the photos of my recent race are $45 before tax for just the digital low quality ones, which is completely unmanageable with my budget. I think the photo companies would make more overall if they offered a cheaper digital version - people who want the higher quality commemorative photos will pay the price either way.

I agree - I cannot afford them, and they usually are not that good anyway! I think your internet option is a great idea.

So is this a new idea for us? Inexpensive race photos? hmm

i agree! i have purchased some photos before but i would DEFINITELY purchase digital copies if they were reasonable. it's ridiculous what they want for print or digital! like $20 for a 4x6. PLEASE i know that costs like .20 to print, .45 to mail (or however much a stamp is these days). give us a break brightroom, etc.!! great post jill - maybe they'll stumble across this and utilize your idea!

Totally, totally, TOTALLY agree! On top of the pictures being ridiculous, the price to get the pics in a digital format is like $30! I understand their desire to make money, and if they dropped the price THEY WOULD! I have never bought the pictures and probably never will.

I will never ever ever, no matter what...EVER...buy race photos. Ever. I think it is ridiculous that they cost such a high amount and I will not support that.

yep way too expensive! We are being gouged because there is ZERO developing now that everything is DIGITAL!!! The SD card is already purchased-all they are doing is snap snap snap taking the pics......a 4x6 shouldn't cost $15! ridiculous!

Yup, I wouldn't buy another pic because they're WAY overpriced. And usually pretty poor as well. Yuck.