Why Hire a Professional Photographer?

      There are many myths out there that photographers are becoming obsolete. We carry a camera every day in our purses or pockets and think nothing of it. Our whole world is run by social media, pictures and videos are at our fingertips 24/7. We’re constantly taking selfies to commemorate everything from the food we eat to the events we’re attending. In a world saturated in media content from anyone and everyone, why would we need a professional photographer?

      Knowledge. Knowledge is what separates a professional from an amateur. Knowledge of light, exposure, composition, ect. This is why it’s well worth hiring a professional, and not just a professional but the correct professional.

      There are a vast number of niches in photography and in each niche there are different skills a photographer must acquire to get the most out of their session. For instance, a food photographer must either have a food stylist or they must have the knowledge of how to set up a specific feel for the dish. Is it rustic and warm, like soup, or modern and calculated like a Michelin star dish? What can we use to show steam or make it look juicer?

      On the other hand a child photographer must know when is the right moment to snap a photo, each shot counts. How can we make them laugh, or stop hiding behind mom? Every photographer is not made to do every type of photography, and this is why it becomes important to choose the correct professional for your job.

      One of the main reasons people choose not to hire a professional is price. It can cost quite a bit more to hire a wedding photographer that’s photographed many weddings and knows what moments the couple’s looking for then cousin Amy who's Instagram is full of ‘great’ photos of her dog and kids. In weddings especially you can be spending thousands of dollars for this one day of pictures, and doesn’t that sound like a dream. Getting paid to go to a celebration and just snap pictures all day? It’s important not to forget that though your memorable, beautiful day ended, your photographer is going home to dwindle down and edit hundreds of photos. Each one needing at least minimal editing let alone those special effects or unwanted distractions. When it breaks down like that you can really get an understanding of how many hours it takes to create what you are looking for, why it takes a month or so to get them back to you.      

      Though we live in a time where we can all take pictures and capture any moment, there’s still a place for professionals. Not just in the commercial industry but in portraits and weddings as well. It’s become harder to find clients but it’s also really brought to light that just because you have the tools doesn’t mean you have the vision, or know how. In choosing someone who’s trained in this field instead of “that neighbor kid who takes photos sometimes” you get quality photos every time. In an ideal world the weather would always work out how we wanted, it’d be the perfect temp, very little wind, or at a show your hair and makeup would stay perfect from start to finish. Sadly we do not live here, we live in a world where Murphy’s Law rules, and you need someone who is prepared to be three steps ahead.