WHY HIRING A PROFESSIONAL IS IMPORTANT
You wake up one morning and realize it's been a hot minute since you had a good family photo made. So you ask around for photog recommendations or you hit up the old Google search to find one that looks like they might be a good fit for you and your family. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a photographer. One being the style of editing they do. Some photographers edit in a dark and moody tone while others, like me, edit in a more light and true to life tone. Another thing to consider when researching a photographer is how are their reviews on either Facebook or Google? What do past clients have to say about them? And lastly, a huge consideration is price. I recently heard a quote that said "good photography ain't cheap, and cheap photography ain't good", and then there's the age old quote "you get what you pay for". My opinion is, if it's important to someone, they will pay good money for it. Whether it's photography, good food, vacation locations, or even the clothes they wear.
Some people will argue that with modern technology and advanced cameras on cell phones in today’s world, is a professional photographer really needed? Absolutely! Here are the reasons why I believe hiring a professional to do the job is worth every penny.
WE GOT SKILLS
So you know someone with a nice camera, but do they know how to use it properly? Having an expensive camera is not enough to take high-quality photographs. Most folks do not realize what it takes to adjust settings based on exposures, lighting, and other technical aspects of their equipment. It isn't the camera that gets the good photograph. It's the person behind the camera. It is a talent learned through experience and training. I began studying photography back in 2013. I saw photos from professional photographers that took my breath away and I wanted to know how to do the same thing. I wanted to know how to get that creamy dreamy out of focus background and keep the subjects in the foreground tack sharp. So hello Youtube and text messages to my mentor Lindsie Casey. I'm sure she groaned everytime my messages came through because they were very often! It wasn't easy trying to learn this new skill. In fact it was frustrating. Learning new things at my age is not easy. There's a reason they say a young child can learn a new language in their toddler years easier than an adult. This adult did not have an easy time figuring out all the technical jargon. F-stops, ISO, shutter speed, metering... it felt like I was trying to learn to speak German. I loved this subject so much, though, and I was determined to figure it out. It probably took me a good five years to feel confident in my skills. I do still make enough mistakes, though, to keep myself humble!
PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT
This is always a given bonus. It’s more than just owning a camera. Photography gear in itself is downright expensive. Flashes, lenses, SD cards, the camera itself, and so much more. The list can go on and cost thousands.
POSING METHODS
Especially large crowds. It is easier said than done, but most people’s attention span and patience is usually small. You will find yourself exhausted and frustrated with a lack of posing ideas. I can perform these in a timely manner and always offer suggestions for new poses.
IT'S MY JOB
Skip trying to find a friend or relative to do the job. This means more hassle for you, and missed moments for them. Imagine a wedding with a friend or family member doing the photography. How will they eat, dance, drink, and mingle? That would not be a pleasant experience for them. Hiring a pro guarantees you they are solely doing this for you, worry-free.
PROPER EDITING
You want a ‘wow’ factor with your final images. Professional photographers own different systems to edit and retouch photos properly. The last thing you want is for your pictures to appear cheesy. We are artists and have the skills to retouch uneven skin tones, brighten smiles and eyes, place overlays, exposures, contrast, softening, and removing distractions. Professional photographers can be underrated. It’s not for the faint of heart and requires dedication, late nights, and passion. Of course, there are plenty of ways to save money in life, but don’t skimp out on a skilled expert. Invest and be satisfied with high-quality results! .
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. I would absolutely be honored if you'd consider me for the job of capturing your family photos.
