10 Reasons to hire a professional!

The thought of hiring a professional photographer can be very scary for most people. It can seem expensive and overwhelming. The memories of 90’s glam family photo shoots; with matchy-matchy sweaters, uncomfortable poses and super-soft focus are also likely to be filling your head with worry and dread.

But hiring a professional photographer to capture your most precious memories is not only an easy decision to make; it’s seriously a game changer. Gone are the days of awkward family portraits. The right photographer will capture you and your loved ones in your truest forms. Shining the love, and light, you have for each other through a series of carefully curated photographs. Sealing a special moment in time for you to cherish for a lifetime. 

Still not convinced? Let me break it down. Here are 10 reasons I think you should hire a professional photographer. 

1.YOU. You will be in the images. When you look back at the photos that you have taken over the years of your family and friends – they show a beautiful timeline of the important people who feature in your life. But they have something missing. You. If you are the designated photographer for any given event – you are going to be missing from many of the photos. And in the occasions that you are in front of the lens, someone else has stepped out of that special moment’s spotlight. When you hire a professional photographer to capture precious memories you will be a part of them equally to those you’re sharing it with.

2. WE SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. Have you ever taken the most amazing family portrait, the one where everyone has their eyes open and the baby’s not crying and grandma is actually looking at the camera…? Only to notice that there is a dirty t-shirt on the floor next to the couch or you really should have vacuumed? Or when there is rubbish on the ground in the background of your beautiful, candid park photos of your toddler? Or even my personal favourite… that sneaky light pole that is seemingly coming out of your loved ones head during a special moment captured by a friend? These little details are easily missed in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives – but not by a professional photographer. We sweat the little things. Attention to detail is imperative when capturing a lifetime of memories. We won’t let your memories be spoiled by the family dog inappropriately photo-bombing your special moment.

3.A FRESH SET OF EYES.Your photographer will bring a fresh, new perspective to what you can achieve. Before we even start shooting we will offer suggestions and solutions that maybe haven’t crossed your mind. And in turn these ideas will create images that you may never have thought to capture. By creating a relationship with your photographer prior to going ‘on set’, it allows us to see you in unique and special ways that perhaps family and friends do not. Getting to know you will also help you feel comfortable in front of the camera. And when you’re comfortable, you will shine.

4. WE’VE BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK. As professionals in our field, we have experience. We have a toolkit of training and knowledge that comes with long-term love and commitment to our craft. We know that this can be a nerve-racking experience for some people and it is our job to ensure you feel comfortable at all times. We know that you might not like having your photo taken, and it is our job to make you smile..naturally. We know that this is a large financial investment and we understand the importance of value. We know what time of day is best for natural light and which spot on the beach will be perfect. We know that babies cry and poo and scream and fidget… and we love it. We know which way you should stand, which is your “good side” and what you should do with your hands. We’ve got this. 

5.WE’RE COMMITTED. You’ve only got one chance to capture the freshness of a brand new baby. One chance to capture your first pregnancy… One chance for your proposal, or your wedding, or even your child’s first birthday. We’ll be there. We will show up on time to capture every smile, every tear and every embrace. We won’t let you down by “just popping out for a minute” and missing the big moment. A great photographer will make your kids laugh, treat people with respect and kindness, listen to your requests, and make you feel like the most important people in the world. We’ll be there from start to finish and you will have 100% of our attention the entire time. It is our job to lock down your memories. It is your job to be 100% in the moment.

6.ALL THE GEAR, AND ALL THE IDEAS.Professional photographers have all the gear and we’re not afraid to use it. We have high quality equipment and the know-how that goes along with it. You might be thinking… “For the price I am paying for a professional photographer, I could just buy a quality camera and do it myself…” Firstly. See point No.1 in this list. Cool, you got that bit? Then, secondly a professional photographer is just that, professionally trained. We are trained visual storytellers. We know our equipment inside and out. We know where to shoot, when to shoot and how to shoot to get the ultimate results for you. And you will notice that we aren’t likely to just bring one camera to your shoot… or one lens. We will have multiple. Maybe even an assistant to help us carry it all… (normally that’s Jesse in my case, some of you might know him haha) the list goes on.

7. IT’S WHO YOU KNOW. And it’s also what you know. We know the people. We know florists, hair stylists, make up artists, fashion designers and models… We know great public locations and incredible private ones too. We know how to wrap a newborn naturally, and how to keep your toddler entertained for their portrait session. We know where you can get the most incredible, flowing gown for your maternity photos. We know where the sun shines so perfectly through the trees that it will beautifully accentuate the love spilling from you in your engagement shoot. We work with these people and places every day and trust them to compliment our work. There is no need for you to worry about running around trying to organise everything on your own. We’re here to support you in every aspect of your investment.

8. WE’LL MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AMAZING.Postproduction is an important part of the professional photographer experience. When you engage us, our services don’t end when we put down the camera. Honestly it’s only the beginning. During your shoot, we will take hundreds of photos. When the camera is put away it is our job to sift through these photos to find the perfect shots. We then get started on editing each individual image – we may adjust the light, or the colour balance – we could even change your image to black and white. We may crop or scale your image to focus on what’s really important. We can even touch up your tired eyes – or that nasty blemish that came up the morning of your shoot! We use professional software that we have trained extensively in using. We then carefully curate your collection and present it to you in a way that you can keep them forever. You might (I mean should) even proudly display them on the walls of your home!

9. IT’S NOT JUST A FINANCIAL INVESTMENT.Although, yes… it is a financial investment and a significant one at that for some people – hiring a professional photographer is an investment in you. In your family. In your memories. An investment that keeps giving and only gets richer with time. We, as people, do tend to be more physically invested in something that we are financially invested in also. People want bang for their buck. It’s only natural. Spending the time to research and discover your perfect match when it comes to a photographer is a guarantee that you will see the return on your investment that you desire, and deserve. There is truth in the old adage “you pay peanuts…” Well… you remember the rest. Investing in a professional photographer is an investment in your family. In your life’s work. In you. And we’re invested in giving you an experience that will be as precious as the memories we’re capturing. Photos aren’t meant to be hidden away on flash drives in dusty drawers… they are meant to be proudly displayed and shared with the world.

10. IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU. Our time on this Earth is fleeting. People come and go from our lives everyday- sometimes without notice. Precious moments happen in the blink of an eye. Photography on the other hand, is timeless. A single portrait is snapshot of time. Memories locked forever in imagery. Memories for you to look back on. Memories of you, for your loved ones to look back on. Memories to hold onto dearly and cherish forever. It's your time to step away from all the craziness of your everyday life. It's a moment to renew love with a partner, family, friends, your parents, your children or even yourself. It's a time to focus on you, to celebrate, to remember, to be thankful. Use the time in your photo session to just let go and be you. Be silly, laugh, cry... express the emotions that bring out the best in you, and ultimately your photos.

Our lives move so quickly and it only seems to get faster the older we get. That’s why it is so important that you take the time to reflect on all the good things in your life and appreciate the people, places, and things that you YOU. To borrow a quote from the classic film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off - “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”