One of the questions I hear a lot from photographers who are curious about the college market is: can college students actually afford photos? Well, buckle up because we’re about to dive into the bustling world of student budgets, the allure of quality photography, and why you, as a photographer, have a GOLD MINE of opportunity ahead of you!

The Myth of the Broke College Student

Let’s kick things off with a little reality check. The typical college student is often depicted living off instant noodles, coffee, and sheer determination. And while that’s not entirely false (shoutout to ramen and redbull for getting us through finals), there’s more to the college budget than meets the eye.

College students today are savvy. They budget for experiences, splurge on concerts, and yes, they even invest in things like professional photography. Why? Because in the age of social media, everyone wants to look good on Instagram and LinkedIn! Most college students will attest to meeting people online before meeting them “IRL” (in real life). That means photos are like a fprm of Social Currency for the college crowd! 

The Most Expensive… AND the Least Expensive… at the SAME TIME?

As photographers, our job is to find the sweet spot between affordable pricing our clients can get excited about, and professional pricing that allows us to keep our businesses running. To that end, College & Sorority Photography is the idea market for finding that perfect balance. In fact, I’m able to simultaneously be the MOST expensive AND the least expensive photographer on campus… because I let friend groups split the price of the session! College & Sorority Photography is ALL about the friendships, and by letting friend groups split the cost of their session, I’m able to charge top dollar for each photoshoot, while allowing college students to get gorgeous photos at a rate that fits any budget! Remember, college students might be budget-conscious, but they are always looking for value. Our job as photographers is to show them that investing in professional photos is the social currency they’ve been looking for to stand out, personally and professionally.

So, can college students afford photos? Absolutely—they just need the right photographer, with the right pricing structure, to make themselves available to capture their college experience!