You have a camera, sure we all do. So... why is it that you should have your portraits taken for you when you could just do it yourself?
There are countless reasons actually, but I'll just list the big ones.
With the summer only a few months away it's a good time to start thinking about senior photos and family portraits.
1. You CAN afford it!
Maybe you are saying "I can't afford it!" If you think you can't afford the photographer you want it never hurts to just talk with them. It really is that easy! They should be able to find something you want for a price you can afford. They might accept payments. It never hurts to ask, the worst thing that can happen is getting a "No." But they might say "Yes!" and all you had to do was ask. There are many GREAT photographers out there and their prices will and do vary from each other. You just have to look. If it's near a holiday or big event or when there is generally a bigger need for photographic services, many times photographers will often run specials.
Just don't let price alone determine who you go to. First decide on the style you like, get a list of photographers you like and then talk to them about any specials they might be running or if they accept payments and narrow it down from there.
2. It's an experience for you and your loved ones you want to enjoy!
Maybe you don't want to spend the money because you have your own camera and want to do it all yourself. If all you want are a few photos and nothing else, then go for it. If you want the experience, the FULL experience. Why run back and forth from the camera and try to pose in less than 10 seconds? Oh, you have a wireless remote you'd prefer to use instead? Why would you want a remote in your hand in your photos.
3. You want a professional to make sure your photo session turns out exactly how you want!
You have your own camera and a friend who said they'd take the photos for you. For free. Does your friend know your camera inside and out? Do they know how to pose you? Do they know how to compose the shots? What kind of history do they have with photography or even editing photographs? Experience with the art is much more important than many people are willing to admit to themselves. Anyone can pick up a camera and start taking pictures, but they might not be able to capture your family exactly as you want. They might not know how to cull the less than great images or do basic edits. Heck they could even be into the super cheesy edits that no one really likes. (Want the entire photo softened for no reason? How about black and white with one random object in color?) So those cliche edits might work once in a blue moon but it almost never works.
When you go in search of family photographs, ask yourself what you want. Don't think about price first. Price shouldn't be the biggest factor. Look for what you want. Quality, the ability to capture your family, your event, exactly as you want it to be. Then when you find what you want look at prices that fall into your budget.
Here is a short (very basic) list of what I look for and the order I would look for it.
1. Style - The way the photos are composed and edited.
2. Flexibility - in location(s), props, poses, outfits, ideas you have/ideas they have.
3. Price.
Photography captures small moments in time that will never happen again. My best advice is simple, do your research, know what you want before you go out booking your session.
