We live in a day an age where photography is more accessible and probably more popular than ever before. I mean, hi Instagram. A platform that has single-handedly upped the photography game of the average person. It’s so great! More people are educated on what makes a picture interesting or good to look at. Also thanks to our phones, we all carry a fairly decent camera with us almost everywhere we go so almost nothing goes undocumented. I for one am so grateful that when my kiddos are doing something really adorable I can just whip out my phone and be able to treasure that moment forever. Unfortunately because photography equipment is so accessible, there are a lot of people out there that don’t know exactly what they are doing when it comes to running a business. I was totally in that boat when I started learning photography. There is A LOT to learn and know, I had no idea how much I really didn’t know. I thought if I had a fancy camera, I could take fancy pictures. Haha, boy was I wrong. I have come to learn that photography is a luxury business and there are definitely all types of people for all types of sessions and budgets but before you make your decision on who to chose to take your family photos consider these things, some may matter to you, some may not.
1. Consider their business as a whole. Are they a legitimate business? It is super important as a photographer, even if it is just as a hobby, if they are taking money from people, they really need to be registered with their state and have a business license. To a customer it may not be a big deal to look at from the outside but when you know they are a legal business, you know they probably take their business pretty seriously and most likely will be organized and take care of you as a client.
2. A professional knows light. I could spill all the technical mumbo jumbo for you but I promise you, light is literally EVERYTHING in photography. A good, professional photographer knows how to read light in every situation and knows how to get the best outcome based on the light. Just take my word on this. Understanding light is what takes a photographer from being amateur to a professional.
3. Professionals know how to pose and make you look and feel amazing. Posing is SUPER hard for pretty much everyone. Anyone who tells you otherwise has either really studied hard to learn well or their pants are probably on fire! During a session, the photographer is multitasking about a dozen things all while trying not to seem stressed or worried. It’s a lot to deal with and a professional with experience knows how to do all that and make you look awesome. Some things are just not flattering to anyone. Nobody likes looking like they have a double chin. Nobody likes looking and feeling stiff and awkward. For most people it is something that comes with time and practice.
4. Equipment. Although that iPhone may take awesome photos, it is just not the same, promise. A professional grade camera and lenses can make a huge difference. So is having someone that knows how to use them properly. Unfortunately the cameras can’t read our minds of what we want the photo to look at and a professional photographer knows exactly what to do with their equipment to get what they want. They also know how to post process their images to get their signature look which leads me to my final point.
5. A professional is consistent with their work. Consistency is important for professionals so that their clients know what to expect of them. When they look at their work, they basically know how their photos are going to look because professionals know how to accomplish that over and over again, whatever their signature look is.
Hiring a professional doesn’t necessarily mean a big price tag but I think it is important to consider what you are purchasing. Are you wanting someone to give you photos and they may even turn out nice? Are you wanting a full experience of someone who will go above and beyond, not just a transaction? Are you trying to support someone you know who needs practice? Are you looking for super high end and carefully edited? Regardless of your budget, there are so many options out there, there are so many really really talented people. But if you’re serious about your photos being consistent, being high quality, having a great experience with someone who knows what they are doing, make sure to take the time to do some research to find the perfect match for you!
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