Why Hire a Photographer
Here’s the thing: we’ve got it made these days.
Most people conveniently have a decent camera literally in their hands built into their smart phones, digital SLR cameras have become more affordable, and there’s the option to skip the mystery and waiting that accompanies film photography. If you’re anything like me, I literally can’t backup my own iPhone to my computer because there’s simply too many photos on my phone! Our culture and technology has evolved in such a way that we always document. So, what’s the value in hiring a photographer if you can snap some okay photos of your kids and do what you want with the images at your disposal?
Your photographer understands light.
So, you’ve found the perfect location, but the people in your photos are turning into shadows, your background is all blown out, the colors aren’t looking true to life, or simply the photos just aren’t coming out the way you envisioned. I believe one of the biggest wins in hiring an experienced and educated photographer is the fact that they are masters of light! You can stand right next to a photographer and simultaneously take images, but chances are they will come out completely different as a photographer is trained in how to adjust their settings to accommodate different lighting scenarios. Plus, most photographers can agree that sometimes the most “scenic” or “picturesque” background isn’t necessarily the most ideal location of portraits, depending on the direction and angle of light at a given time of the day. Hiring a photographer is being able to trust someone to make lighting decisions that flatter your skin tones and keep shadow and highlights balanced.
Your kids aren’t always excited to be told by a parent to pose for a photo.
…or maybe we’re talking about your boyfriend or husband. The thing is, we don’t always take direction as well from parents, siblings, and other close family and friends, especially when it comes to photos. Having someone else that you get to know and trust who is in expert in making you look good in your photos make everything easier and way more enjoyable for everyone!
A different perspective sees things that you may overlook.
This is super important when it comes to storytelling during lifestyle sessions or while an event, such as a wedding, unfolds. Having a different perspective means you have fresh eyes witnessing exchanges between loved ones that might otherwise be overlooked: the way your partner naturally runs their fingers through your hair, the comforting arm of a grandparent that sweeps around their grandchildren, the way your child sticks out their tongue while they stand on their tippy-toes to reach something.
Personally after I deliver galleries, the thank you’s aren’t usually pointed toward the clean, classic portraits shots, but rather the images documenting the little exchanges between loved ones. Of course, the timeless portraits are super important too, but never doubt hiring a photographer for their unique way of capturing detail in interactions that mean something to you.
You can be present in your images too.
I’m raising my hand because hey, I’m SO guilty of this myself! It’s easy to have one person in your household subconsciously take the role of being photographer. Kudos to that person for trying their best to document moments that mean something, but guess what? They’re just as important and should be documented too! Especially if you’re a parent, your kids will want to look back and see you in their pictures too!
Your images are more likely to get off your device.
All of those images racking up on your phone, what do you actually do with them? Maybe you share them to Facebook so your friends and family can see them, but what beyond that? Chances are (if you’re like me - yep, photogs are guilty of this too), they’re simply staying on your device. There’s no one providing actionable instruction to make photo prints or products. Typically printing your phone photos becomes one of those “someday” projects that quite frankly usually doesn’t happen. Hiring a photographer doesn’t only mean having someone else capture stellar images of what you value in life, but also gives you advice and direction on what kinds of prints and products are best for certain images to make them enjoyable for generations to come.
