Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Chambers.
Hi Matthew, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been shooting since I was about ten years old on 110 cameras, in high school I learned to shoot on a 35 MM camera.
I was attending Austin Community College when I got a yard Sale Canon AE-1 film camera and 3 lenses for $50 from a woman going through a divorce that was selling her husband’s stuff off to the college kids. To get practice, and meet girls, I would go across the street from my apartment to the college and offer to do photos for free. It gave me tons of experience and I met lots of amazing people! I routinely joke that I was just a chunky kid meeting girls and somehow ended up with a business.
Professionally I accepted my first paid shoot in 1996, a boudoir session for the girlfriend turned wife of a friend deploying overseas with the Army. I earned $50 and a six pack of beer for a one-hour session on that same camera. Felicia shared the photos with friends and next thing I knew I had people calling, Over time that would expand to different types of photography, traveling, and eventually into what is now Matthew Chambers Photography.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing in business is smooth. The biggest struggle was learning to think of the business as a business. Learning to separate business and pleasure. Learning to say no to jobs that were simply not viable, paid too low and ended up costing too much time or money, and learning work life balance. Lastly, learning that there are good clients and bad clients and how to say no!
Along the way I had to balance being a single parent and starting over from scratch after a divorce.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Matthew Chambers Photography is a sole proprietorship and trademarked with the US Patent and Trademark Office. I take a lot of pride in being a budget friendly photographer specializing in wedding and event photography, portraiture, and boudoir photography.
What sets me apart is getting budget friendly photography from a photographer with over two decades of experience. I truly believe if you treat customers like family they will act like family, generally it works great and when it doesn’t you can address issues from a friendlier standpoint. Brand wise I run a pretty simple pricing style; every shoot comes with all the high-resolution digital copies included, For most sessions you literally just pick how much time you need and then you can add extra touch ups! Then you can add what you want. That way you are not picking from a bunch of packages that may or may not have what you need.
In July 2024 I added wedding officiant services, allowing couples on a budget to do a simple elopement package. We go out to a local park, the Capital, etc. exchange vows, take pictures for a bit and I can sign the wedding certificate. Plus you have the added benefit of not having an officiant in the back of all your wedding photos!
Lastly, I am a huge believer in corporate ethics. Put your money where your mouth is. As soon as the pandemic hit, I immediately dropped special pricing for most portrait session outside of weddings and events. That pricing will continue through 2025. I know what my time is worth, but I know what those photos are worth to a family. I happily took the hit to my profit margin to ensure families could still afford photos without choosing between them and medicine or food. Always do the right thing, no matter what.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The first thing I always remind newbies is to be realistic. Go out and look at what the veterans in your field are charging, what they give their clients for the money, then understand that you are not a veteran. The second thing I tell folks is to look at liabilities. Do not think for a minute that with 5 minutes of you experience you are truly ready to take on something that is irreplaceable to your client. In my field it is weddings, are you really sure you are ready for the fall out if you totally hose someone’s wedding. Be realistic, those memories are irreplaceable, Then what insurance do you have in place to protect you if you are wrong? Invest heavily in yourself, your skills, your gear, and a good lawyer that rights an awesome contract.
Pricing:
- Individual, Couples, or Family Session With Digital Downloading $150 Up to 2 hours of on-site photography. May elect to have multiple locations or outfit changes at no additional charge. No limit on the number of participants. Online preview and print ordering of your images via a secure password protected gallery. 12 images of your choice custom edited to professional standards. Digital downloading of all your original and touched up images in high resolution.
- Elope With Your Photographer (Perfect for those seeking a simple, budget friendly service.) $375 You complete personal vows, the marriage is officiated by Matthew Chambers, minister Universal Life Church as he photographs your wedding. 1 Hour of high-volume shooting, averaging 100+ photos an hour shot by Hall of Fame wedding photographer Matthew Chambers! Online preview of your images via a secure password protected gallery within hours of your wedding ending. Key moments get touched up. High resolution downloading of your original and touched up images without watermarks. A copyright release, allowing you to print what you want where you want. Rapid turnaround averaging 14 days. Additional hours may be added at $225 an hour. Elopement officiant duties with no photography $150 (weekdays) $250 (Weekends).
- Full-Service Wedding Photography Everything Gets Touched Up High volume shooting, Specialty lighting provided, Basic editing of all photos. (Adjustments to lighting, contrast, tones etc.) Advanced editing of the key moments. (Blemish removal, specialty editing etc.) Online preview and print ordering of your images via a secure password protected gallery. High resolution download including the original and edited images. Copyright release, allowing you to print what you want where you want. Cost $300 per hour 50% Non-Refundable Deposit Required to Reserve Dates.
- Standard Wedding Photography Just the Key Moments Get Touched Up High volume shooting, Specialty lighting provided, Advanced editing of just the key moments. (Blemish removal, specialty editing etc.) Online preview and print ordering of your images via a secure password protected gallery. High resolution download including the original and edited images. Copyright release, allowing you to print what you want where you want. Cost $225 per hour 50% Non-Refundable Deposit Required to Reserve Dates.
- Boudoir Packages Includes Individuals, Couples, and Groups. Just the Session Up to 2 hours of on-site boudoir photography. Online preview and print ordering of your images via a secure password protected gallery. 12 images of your choice custom edited to professional standards. Secure online downloading or CD which includes your original and edited images. Cost $200 Session and Location or Session and Hair and Makeup Up to 2 hours of on-site boudoir photography. Online preview and print ordering of your images via a secure password protected gallery. 12 images of your choice custom edited to professional standards. Secure online downloading or CD which includes your original and edited images. Location (Photographer’s Choice) or Hair and Makeup for 1 person provided. Cost $350 Session, Location, and Hair and Makeup Up to 2 hours of on-site boudoir photography. Online preview and print ordering of your images via a secure password protected gallery. 12 images of your choice custom edited to professional standards. Secure online downloading or CD which includes your original and edited images. Location provided. (Photographer’s Choice) Professional Hair and Makeup for 1 person provided. Cost $500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.matthewchambersphotography.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewchambersphotography
Image Credits
Copyright Matthew Chambers Photography
