Why Hire A Professional Photographer?

We live in an interesting time for photography. There is no denying that the advent and quick evolution of digital cameras and their associated technologies has made it easier, faster, more convenient, arguably cheaper (after initial investment), and more fun to take pictures.

You may have a friend or relative that is a talented hobbyist.

There are still a number of very compelling reasons to hire a professional photographer that is dedicated -- often obsessed! -- with the art, craft, and technique of quality photography.

A pro:

• will free up your friends to simply enjoy the wedding!
• can be ordered about (within reason!)
• has multiples of all important equipment in case of technical failure
• has and understands different lenses to achieve very different looks
• knows how to stay out of the way as needed
• fully understands aperture, shutterspeed, ISO, light, exposure, and white balance
• understands high-speed sych, second-curtain sych, bounce and off-shoe flash
• has a binding contract to serve your photography needs
• will arrange for replacement in case of emergency
• has a proven, tested track record with great composition
• also, proven dealing with no-flash rules, low-light conditions, and other impediments
• Beyond initial photography, the professional understand both proper and creative use of image editing software such as Photoshop and Lightroom
• consults with you about the event and what you like and want in a photo
• stores backup copies of your wedding photographs (including offsite)

Some people are put off by the seemingly high cost of professional wedding photography. It's just a few hours of pushing a shutter button, isn't it?

Only to the naked eye! Here's the real story and I won't even elaborate on the cost and value of years of training and honing of craft, investment in very expensive equipment, marketing and advertising, and staying current with constantly changing software and other tools.

So....for each and every wedding, the following occurs:

• contracts and consultations
• equipment maintenance and cleaning
• format memory, charge batteries, sychronize cameras
• travel, often including a venue exploration days before event
• shoot the event (no small feat with 20 pounds of gear hanging off your neck for eight hours!)
• THEN! multiple backups of image files (burning to DVD-R)
• storage of backup offsite
• initial weed-out of unacceptable images
• 1st phase image edit via Lightroom (typically 1-2 days)
• 2nd phase, highly detailed image edit in Photoshop (3-10 days)
• conversion to usable jpg files, burning, labeling, packaging, shipping proofs or files to client
  

Then, as needed:

• creation, editing, and burning of DVD slideshows
• order fulfillment of prints
• creation, consultation, approval, changes, final approval of album design
• Submission, instructions, and order fulfillment of album printing and binding
• image printing, matting, framing, shipping, etc.
• Parent albums, photobooks, file for digital frames or video Ipod or Iphone, etc.
• Follow-up, communication, promotions, etc.
  

You "see" a day of what may look like easy work, but you reap the benefits of at least two weeks labor, plus all of the training and investment the photographer did behind the scenes! So although your pal who is "into" photography may be inexpensive, a wedding photography professional is priceless!

For further reading, take a look at "Hiring Professionals Pays Off". Well-written and insightful.

I hope I've given you something to think about and thank you for reading!