Why hire a professional?

I hear it all the time. Someone has a friend with a camera, and they are doing their pictures.

Or maybe they'll just use the photos people take with their camera phones from an event.

But seriously, would you ask a friend with pliers to do your dental work? Would you ask anyone with a toolbox to fix your car or repair your plumbing? You hire trusted professionals for most things, but so many people leave capturing their most important moments to just anyone.

I know its hard to spend money on photography - in this digital age, everyone has access to high quality imaging equipment. But here are a few things to consider...

• Hiring someone who's a trained professional means there's someone dedicated to taking pictures. You know you will have photos of what is important to you, because you've brought in a professional who has talked to you about what's important, and its their job to capture it. No worries Uncle Bob ran to the bathroom and missed your first dance. 
• Ever look at a picture and realize that the pose/angle/lighting is terribly unflattering? Professionals have tricks, tips, and an eye for seeing how to get the best possible images. Subtle shifts in angle and positioning can make a huge difference in the final product. 
• Children will often cooperate better for folks that aren't their parents. These days, many kids aren't familiar with real cameras and photography other than cell phones. Photographers who work with children are familiar with how to engage little ones, and get the images quickly, and without extra stress. 
• Professionals have the equipment. My regular shoot kit includes 2 main cameras, a backup camera, multiple lenses, flashes, light stands, reflectors, and a whole bushel basket of accessories and gadgets. I've got spare batteries and memory cards, and have cleaned and checked everything before leaving for any shoot. 
• Even the best apps on your phone don't equal the expertise of professional level editing software. Filters are not the same as adjustments for lighting and tone.
• Photographers only work with companies that provide the highest quality prints and products. Ever taken a good picture, then printed it at your local one hour lab, and thought wow- that looks terrible... yep. Not all prints are created equal. 
• Good photographers will make you feel comfortable with what's going on, and will talk you through everything you need to get the images you want. 

I'd love to talk to you more about what I can do for you to preserve your memories. Portraits or events, big or small, its worth a little extra to have photos to hold on to forever.