**I’m starting a new series that answers common photography questions for clients and professionals. If you have anything you want answered, just comment or send me a message**
Just this week a darling client of mine inquired about session and mentioned that her husband wasn’t on board because he had purchased them a “nice” camera for Christmas and so therefore, there was no need to hire anyone anymore. It seems logical, right… if you have a nice camera, you don’t need anyone else with a camera.
Except, that’s not exactly how it works. She needs to remind him that someone has to direct the camera and push the button…so one parent is always left out. She needs to remind him that kids don’t typically look and smile at a little black box unless a very silly lady who has no dignity anymore makes toot noises and fish faces at them from behind the camera. She needs to remind him that images right out of camera don’t come with vivid colors, smooth skin and flattering angles. She needs to remind him that printing those said SOOC pictures at the local pharmacy makes them look even more blurry, dark and unflattering.
The best way to relate to this very well-meaning husband is to ask him if an expensive gun gets him a bigger deer. Or if a Wolff range cooks him a better dinner. Although “nice” equipment is part of the equation, the person operating it makes all the difference.
But what about a new photographer? Your neighbor who wants to start a photography business. Your cousin who needs side work. The wife of your co-worker who wants to practice. Everyone starts somewhere with guinea pig family members and friends. Some have a knack for it and may create good images from the get go.
I say… it all depends on the type of session. If they want to take your 10 year old out to practice sunflare, great! If they want to snap sports photography at your sons football game, awesome! But if we are talking about a newborn session, birth session, family session or wedding, I would advise against it.
A newborn session is a specialized session that you only have a very small window to shoot. It takes years of technique and practice to mimic the images you see on my site and other professionals sites. And there is a very specific protocol that must be followed to ensure newborn safety. Those new photographers wanting to take newborn pictures should mentor under another photographer and act as an assistant before they conduct sessions themselves.
Birth sessions are an intimate experience with no mulligans! If the shots are out of focus or improperly exposed, no mom wants to reinact that moment HA! Most birth sessions require a wide angle lens with a wide open aperture to allow enough light and both of those take skill to properly execute.
Family sessions might not seem like that big of a deal since those can be redone at any time. BUT there are costs involved like outfits, hair, makeup and of course time. People get off work to be to these sessions. Children are unpredictable and may not act as nice at a reshoot. Nothing is more frustrating than to prep the entire family and have that time wasted on a useless set of pics.
Weddings…you get my point. “I’m so glad I hired a cheap, new photographer for my wedding” said no one ever.
Here’s what I recommend… hire a professional first and foremost. Then if you want to help a friend out, you are not counting on those images and you can just have fun, come what may. You may even check with your preferred professional to see if they offer mentoring and this friend could participate as an assistant.
Years of experience, hours of education and lots of trial and error have gone into my photography business and my clients know what to expect when they come to me-a fun, painless experience with beautiful images to show for it.
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Feel free to pin or post a link to this article and share your thoughts on it. If you have ever wanted help with your business, I’d love to sit down and find out what’s working and what’s not. Together we can create a plan to move you toward your goals. Check out my classes and mentoring.
