In a world where everyone can take pictures with their phone or easily buy a fancy camera, you might wonder why you should hire a professional photographer for your family portraits. I asked my friend and fellow photographer Camille, with Camille CD Photography, to share a little bit about why professional photography matters. Camille is a portrait photographer specialized in maternity, newborn, baby and motherhood photography. Her pure and classic style strives to capture your family’s love, emotions, and connections. Her studio is located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, in New York City.
1. To Be IN the Frame
In most families, mom is in charge of taking the family’s portraits. Unfortunately, that means that she will be missing from many of your images and precious family moments. However, what you will want to remember when you look back at your pictures, is your entire family, together. Hiring a professional allows you to be in the pictures for yourself, and for your children/grandchildren. The truth is that family picture are a luxury and an heirloom item that will always be passed down for generations.
2. Guidance
What to wear? Where to do the session? How to pose? Professional photographers bring invaluable guidance to make your portrait session stress free. They can advise you on what to wear, provide their own wardrobe, coordinate outfits for the entire family, select a location (studio, beach, field, park), guide you on how to pose, and help you smile when needed!
3. Professional Equipment and Knowledge
Professional photographers carry professional equipment. They have invested in the best cameras and lighting equipment and also spent hundreds of hours of learning to master them. They can overcome any lighting situation and create artificial light when necessary. That blurry background that looks so gorgeous doesn’t come from shooting in auto, friends!
4. Editing and retouching
Editing and retouching are an integral part of a professional photographers’ workflow. Polishing the perfect amount of contrast, highlights, shadows, and gorgeous colors, then turning your images into family art is part of the job. Editing software like Photoshop allows your photographer to remove blemishes, distracting objects, etc. In turn, this allows your portraits to be about the most important thing: your family love and connection.
5. Artwork for your home
Finally, professional photographers work directly with professional labs and printers. They can advise on the products that will best fit your needs, your home and interior design. Whether it is an album, fine art prints or a wall art grouping, they will shoot and design exactly what you dream of for your family.
Camille, thank you so much for sharing your heart and thoughts on hiring a professional photographer!
Aimee Hamilton is a newborn and family photographer with a studio in Magnolia, TX, just north of The Woodlands. Aimee specializes in capturing your growing family from the bump to the first year and beyond. For more information about sessions with Aimee, click here! Or, if you’re ready to start chatting and creating your next family heirloom, get in touch with me, here!
