"What Am I Really Paying For?" – The Truth About Photography Pricing (And Why It Matters)
A parent (pet or baby!) searching for family photography
You’re excited. You’re ready to capture those fleeting moments — your baby’s gummy smile, the way your toddler holds the family dog’s leash, your family all together in a season of life that feels chaotic but beautiful.
You head to Google, Instagram, and maybe even ask a local moms or pet group for a photographer recommendation. You find a few you love. But then you hit a wall:
What does it actually cost?
Some websites show just a session fee. Others mention “collections” or “packages,” but no prices. A few list the session fee, then later mention that images are an additional purchase. And now you’re asking:
"Wait… how much will this actually be in the end?"
Confusion and frustration about pricing
We hear this all the time. And you're not alone.
When photography pricing feels murky or unclear, you might start to wonder:
Am I being upsold?
Will I end up spending more than I budgeted?
Will I be pressured into buying images I can’t afford to walk away from?
This confusion leads to hesitation — and that hesitation can cause you to miss capturing moments that are happening right now.
And it shouldn’t be that way.
Toes and Beans Photography
Hi! We’re Toes and Beans Photography, a lifestyle photography studio in the Edmonton area specializing in capturing joyful, relaxed moments with babies, families, and their beloved pets.
We believe in happy hearts, muddy paws, and full transparency. That means when you book with us, you know the total price from the beginning — no surprise fees, no complicated math, and no pressure.
We’ve been in your shoes, wondering what the bottom line will be. And now that we’re behind the camera, we’ve built a pricing model that reflects how we’d want to be treated: with honesty, clarity, and kindness.
How we help you avoid confusion and make informed decisions
Here’s how our transparent pricing works:
✅ One Total Price, All-Inclusive
When you view our pricing, what you see is what you pay. That includes:
The session fee
A specific number of professionally edited, high-resolution images
Private online gallery for downloading and sharing
Print rights for personal use
We don’t believe in charging you twice — once to show up, and again to access the memories we’ve created together.
✅ Clear Package Options
Want more than what’s in the collection? We offer add-ons such as additional digital photos but they’re clearly priced and completely optional. You’ll never be locked into something unexpected.
✅ Full Price List Available from the Start
No need to email us just to get basic pricing. We respect your time and budget. That’s why our full pricing guide is available on our website and in our client welcome package.
Choose a photographer who makes it easy to say “yes”
Your family moments deserve to be captured. And you deserve to know, from the first inquiry, what that will cost — without needing to guess, dig, or brace for a surprise invoice.
🎯 Ready to book a session with no pricing mystery?
Check out our price schedule here: https://toesandbeansphotography.ca/packages
What happens when you book with Toes and Beans
Imagine this:
You reach out and instantly receive a warm, welcoming message that includes our full pricing. You choose your package and feel confident knowing exactly what’s included.
The session itself? It’s easy and playful. Your baby giggles, your dog snuggles in, and your family laughs so hard your cheeks hurt. A few days later, you receive a gallery full of images you adore — no decisions to make, no extras to buy unless you want to.
You walk away feeling seen, cared for, and respected. That’s how photography should feel.
The cost of unclear pricing
On the flip side, let’s talk about what happens when pricing isn’t clear:
You book a session thinking it’ll be one price… and later find out you have to pay another $300+ just to download your images. You feel frustrated — and a little taken advantage of.
You’re not alone in that experience. Many people come to us after having gone through something similar.
But we’re here to offer a better way — a way that respects your budget, your time, and your trust.
📌 Quick FAQ on Photography Pricing
Q: Why do some photographers charge only a session fee at first?
A: It’s a common business model: clients pay a lower upfront fee, then purchase images afterward. It works for some, but it can lead to sticker shock.
Q: Isn’t it cheaper to pay only for the session and then choose images later?
A: It might appear cheaper upfront, but often costs more overall — especially if you fall in love with more images than your package includes. (Which, let’s be honest, you probably will.)
Q: Why does Toes and Beans offer all-inclusive pricing?
A: Because we believe in simplicity and honesty. We want you to know exactly what you’re getting, with no hidden costs.
🌟 What Makes Toes and Beans Different?
✔ Transparent, all-in pricing
✔ No pressure, no upsells
✔ Honest timelines and communication
✔ Real-life sessions with real-life joy
✔ Specializing in babies, families, and rescue pets
✔ Flexible sliding scale pricing for families in need
🐾 Final Thoughts
Photography is an investment — not just in beautiful images, but in the experience, the memories, and the trust you place in your photographer.
At Toes and Beans Photography, we believe that trust begins with transparency. That’s why we don’t hide our prices. We celebrate them.
Because when you know what you’re paying, you can focus on what really matters: the messy, beautiful, love-filled moments you’ll never want to forget.
📸 Ready to make some magic (with no fine print)?
Let’s create something beautiful together.
🐾 Let’s connect on Instagram @toesandbeansphotography.
📅 Let’s book your session today!
📩 Reach out for a free consultation