It all sounds so tempting. A free photo shoot. A family experience. A chance to capture some special memories.
You book the session, show up at the studio, enjoy a fun hour in front of the camera, and leave feeling pleased with how it went.
But then comes the sales appointment – and everything changes.
The atmosphere shifts. The friendly photographer becomes a salesperson.
You’re shown your images in a dramatic slideshow and then hit with a pricing sheet you haven’t seen before. The clock starts ticking. You need to make a decision now, and if you hesitate, there’s a risk you’ll lose out on these “one-time offers.”
This is the in-person sales (IPS) photography model. It’s carefully designed to play on emotion, to pressure people into spending far more than they expected, and to make the most money not from the photography, but from what happens after the camera has been packed away.
It’s a business model I strongly dislike. Not only because it feels so disingenuous, but also because it reminds me far too much of something I spent years helping people move away from.
A personal perspective
Before I became a photographer, I spent many years as a Chartered Financial Planner.
Back when I started, much of the financial services world operated on a commission-based model. Advisers would sell investment products and pensions, and get paid by the provider, often through a commission that wasn’t always clear to the client.
The result? Clients weren’t always sure what they were paying for – or whether the advice they received was genuinely in their best interests.
Over time, the profession evolved. More and more of us started to charge fixed fees instead of earning commission. We wanted to be paid for the advice and planning we gave, not the products we sold.
That shift towards transparency, fairness and real value was something I believed in deeply.
And that’s why the IPS model in photography bothers me so much. It’s the same problem in a different setting.
Why the IPS model can feel unfair
It starts with the way sessions are promoted. Many studios advertise “free” or low-cost shoots, but don’t make it clear that the images aren’t included.
Clients only discover the real costs later – often in a high-pressure sales appointment where the prices for prints or digital files are far higher than expected.
This method relies on emotion. When you see photos of your children smiling, your teenager looking confident, or your family together in a way you rarely are, it’s hard to walk away.
And that’s exactly the point. The sales environment is designed to make it uncomfortable to say no.
For some people, this experience can feel manipulative. What began as something joyful ends up feeling like a trap.
What I do differently
At Bear Content, I’ve built my photography business on the same principles I followed as a financial planner: transparency, fairness and value.
When you book a session with me, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for.
I’ll explain what’s included – whether that’s digital images, prints or both – and if there are extras available, I’ll share the prices up front. No hidden costs. No pressure. No surprise sales pitches.
I want you to enjoy your photography experience from start to finish. That means feeling relaxed during the shoot, and confident afterwards that you’ve made the right choices for you, not for anyone else’s sales targets.
How to avoid getting caught out
Before you book a photography session, ask the photographer what’s included in the fee.
Will you receive the digital files? Are prints extra? Is there a separate viewing appointment? If so, can you see the pricing in advance?
Check the reviews. Look for any mention of unexpected costs or clients feeling pressured to buy.
A good photographer will be happy to talk openly about their pricing and process. If you’re struggling to get a straight answer, that’s a sign to be cautious.
Ultimately, trust your instincts. If the deal feels too good to be true, or if you feel uneasy about the lack of detail, step back and ask more questions before you commit.
Photography should be about people, not pressure
Photographs are personal. They’re about moments, connections, and memories that matter. They shouldn’t come with stress, confusion or sales pressure.
You deserve a photography experience that’s honest, straightforward and focused on what’s best for you.
That’s exactly what I offer at Bear Content. No hard sell. No tricks. Just beautiful images, clear pricing, and a professional who cares about giving you genuine value.
If that sounds like the kind of experience you’d like, get in touch. I’d love to hear from you.
