When Hiring a Photographer

When hiring a photographer it isn't just the time shooting you are paying for. It isn't even just the usual list of equipment costs, post-processing time, experience, education, etc. There are sundry other things that are never mentioned:

• The time spent looking for that thing I hardly ever use but I know I am going to need to bring and not use this time.
• Time time searching for the thing I need that I had a minute ago that now I can't bloody find.
• The years of experience that go into spending 20 minutes deciding if it is worth cramming backup equipment into the bag vs. not wanting be hobbled with a sore back for the next three days from hauling around a bunch of stuff I won't need vs. the horrible looming spectre of this being the one time something goes wrong and failing the client
• The time spent on Google Maps trying to figure out how to get where I need to be on time
• The time spent looking for that other thing I had in my hand TWO BLOODY SECONDS ago that I can't find now.
• The time spent unpacking the bag and repacking to fit in that one other thing that I will need and almost forgot.
• Time spent figuring out what to wear so I don't look like Dennis Hopper's character in Apocalypse Now crashing a wedding vs. out-dressing the groom.
• The time spent reducing my angst level by writing a sarcastic blog post no one will read.