Seven Reasons to Let a Pro Take Your Pictures

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With cameras so cheap and available, everyone has become an amateur photographer. When digital photography lowered the cost factor, the average person could now be both photographer and photo shop for much less than prints formerly cost. Yet, here are some reasons why being the chief photographer isn’t always best at all.

The first problem with being the chief photographer is that you must always be looking for the ‘perfect shot’ instead of enjoying what is happening. To be good you must think like a photographer. Too often you realize that, after all was done, you had the pictures without even enjoying the reason you were there? Recently our son called to tell us our granddaughter was in a parade streamed from the TV station on the Internet. I spent the time trying to get the camera to focus on the TV and missed seeing her. I wish I had just enjoyed the moment and waited until they sent the pictures.

Agreed, the electronics in cameras make them very versatile. However, the more ‘stuff’ a camera can do, the more there is to keep track of. What do all the icons on top mean? How do you turn the auto focus or flash off and on? What do the letters P, TV, Av, or M on the selection switch mean? Unless you use these features regularly, you will find it difficult to keep it all in your mind, and if you don’t the features are as good as missing from the camera.

As the photographer, you are often required to get into obtuse contortions or obnoxious places to get just the right shot. Further, you can lose a lot of friends by sticking the camera in their face every time they smile. When they don’t smile, you may need to almost bribe or shame them into posing. Why not let someone else be the bad guy for a change?

So let’s say you are the trusted photographer for some important event. Now guess who will get requests for CDs full of pictures, as if you have plenty of free time to dedicate to this. Or they may impose on your spare time with requests to email the best 200 shots to them.

The problem is more than just the amount of time required. Though digital photography need never be printed, some friends simply don’t have access to this media. For them you will need to buy photographic paper and lots of ink for your printer. Did you say you don’t have a printer? If not, be sure to get one that has multiple ink cartridges so that they can be replaced individually when all the relatives keep asking for more prints.

You won’t have any trouble being identified as a tourist if you hang a camera around your neck and take plenty of shots. And don’t be surprised if people decide your pictures are more important to you than they are.

Think of this: if you have a minor plumbing problem, you fix it yourself. But if a major problem arises, you call a plumber to fix it. That is also true of photography. Sure, keep your camera and take plenty of shots. But when it comes to those really important events, hire an expert, kick up your heels, and enjoy yourself for once.

When you want your photos done right, choosing the best photographer for your needs is worth the investment. If you follow the principles above, you will likely be glad you had it done professionally. Del Haven Studio is the location of an experienced Virginia Beach Photographer who is very skilled – as you can see from her website portfolio.