Why You Should Invest in Professional Photography
With cell phone cameras being as amazing as they are, it can be easy to think that professional photography is a dying industry. However, for myself & many of my colleagues, our businesses are more successful than ever! So why are people still investing in professional photography, and why should YOU?
Moms get to be in the dang picture! I’m a mom myself, and while I’m always taking sweet photos of my kids, and my husband with my kids, it’s like pulling teeth to get any photos of myself with my kids! I either have to ask my husband, which not only makes me feel silly, but it takes me out of the moment as well, or I have to try to wrangle them for a selfie, which is never as cute as I wish it were. Hiring a professional photographer ensures that not only will you get a TON of family photos, you don’t actually have to do anything once you’re at the shoot but play!
Kids change. A lot. And fast. Do you know that the ideal window for newborn photos is within 2 weeks of birth? The reason why is because they start sleeping a bit less solidly at that point, but it’s also because their face changes and they look less “newborn-y”. IN TWO WEEKS. It’s crazy how fast time flies. And as kids age, they still change so quickly. Some people think annual family photos is overkill but I love them. It’s so fun to capture a snapshot of EVERY milestone. A lost tooth, new braces, a wild hair color you’ll only have once. Remember your family exactly as you are in every changing year.
Can’t I just have my friend snap some photos? If that’s your only option, YES! 100% yes! Family photos done by a friend with a camera or a phone is better than no photos at all. However, there are layers to family photos that professionals can help with, where others cannot. For example, a hobbyist photographer might know that Balboa Park is a great spot for photos, but are they going to know what time has the best light? Are they going to know the hidden nooks and crannies that aren’t crazy busy with people? Are they going to know what month the flowers look prettiest? Or what areas are too sketchy to be alone with gear? Likely, no. For a beach shoot, are they going to know what tide levels are best for each specific beach? Or how to make sure you aren’t shadowy? Or squinting in the bright sun? Likely no. OR what if there’s a last minute location change due to an unannounced special event or accident? Will they be able to list off alternative locations in close proximity & with similar backgrounds? Professionals ensure all these details are taken care of (not to mention our extensive back up system to ensure photos are never lost!).
You get what you pay for. Sure, every now you’ll find an amazing photographer who isn’t charging their worth, and get a great deal. But here’s the thing. That photographer will likely burn out extremely quickly. I love establishing relationships with my long-term clients and it’s key to having successful shoots year after year. When you find someone who is too cheap for their own good, expect them to either drastically raise prices one year, or shut down. Gear costs money. GAS costs money. Website hosting, gallery hosting, external backup… all expensive. And while the actual shoot might only be an hour, the editing that goes into the backend can be hours more. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
You can never go back. Have you caught yourself thinking “I should get a family photo of my kids with their grandparents” and then not scheduling anything? DO IT. Time is fleeting. If the past 2+ years of a pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to not take these moments & relationships for granted. So many people are taken far too soon, and without enough notice. I’m so blessed to have not lost anyone close to me in quite a long while, but when our family dog woke up unable to breathe one morning, we had no chance to say goodbye. She had been feeling under the weather for a couple days, but we didn’t think anything of it because she was only 7. I wish SO incredibly much that I had a chance to do family photos with her included. It’s no comparison to the loss of a human family member, but it helped me realize how important it is to capture these memories the moment you think of them.
I hope this helped convince you to get professional photos taken of your family! Honestly, I don’t even care if it’s me you use, just find someone amazing with a great portfolio, honest website, and experience in the industry. Best wishes for amazing photoshoots!!!
