When you’re pressed for time, taking your own senior photos might seem like a good idea. While this will always be an option, keep in mind that you’re losing out on professional equipment, guidance preparing for your shoot, during your shoot, and editing thereafter.
When it’s so easy to take out your phone and take a good photo, you might be wondering whether it’s really necessary to hire a professional photographer for your senior photo session. Most smartphones have some impressive cameras and they’re great for capturing your everyday moments with friends and family to post on Instagram. However, your phone won’t quite hit the mark for your senior portraits. Chances are, you’re not going to get the photos you’re hoping for, which is why it’s better to set some time aside with a professional.
If you’re really serious about having unique senior pictures, having Uncle Bob shoot them is going to get you photos just like every other Uncle Bob senior pictures!
Your Photographer Has Experience.
There are several elements that make for a good photo and a photographer knows how to bring them together. What’s more, they can help guide you during your senior shoot, which can be helpful if you’ve never posed for important photos before.
They Know How to Use a Location to Their Advantage.
The location of your senior shoot matters, as does the lighting. When you work with a professional photographer, you benefit from someone who knows how to use their surroundings to create beautiful images. Over and above that, your photographer can provide you with the best location options based on your vision for your shoot.
They Have the Equipment.
Your smartphone’s camera might be impressive, but it will never match up to professional cameras, lenses, and lighting. The best smart phone camera sensor is around 10mm x 7mm compared to a professional camera with a sensor size of 36mm x 24mm. When you hire a professional senior photographer, you are also hiring their equipment. Plus, professional lighting equipment is necessary for different scenarios such as cloudy days, indoor shots, and those special effect shots that everyone loves. This is what sets you apart from every other senior! A professional photographer will always bring proper lighting equipment and won't need to depend on natural light! The photo below is not possible without an off camera strobe.
Editing is a Part of the Package.
It’s one thing to add a filter to a photo and another to edit it in a way that highlights all your best features at once. A professional photographer can edit your images in ways that are natural but eye-catching. No over processed skin that looks like a china doll! Below is a beautiful natural light golden hour photo with very light editing maintaining her natural complexion. I like to refer to this as the face her momma gave her and the one that her friends and family love!
They Bring an Artistic Eye.
When you work with a professional senior photographer, their job is to bring your vision to life. However, you can also benefit from their artistic eye – you might end up using ideas you never even thought of. Most senior photographers were creatives long before they picked up a camera. If you combine art with camera and lighting skills you get some amazing works of art!
In the end, this is a big milestone, one that deserves professional photos. Either way, a professional or amateur senior photo session is an investment and an experience you won’t soon forget.