5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Photographer in Rochester NY

Let's be honest. Hiring a professional photographer is anything but cheap. You might find yourself wondering, is it worth the investment? Read on to find out!

1) WE KNOW HOW TO POSE YOUR FAMILY

Posing? But I want candid family pictures! You would be surprised how much posing and direction goes into the most candid looking moments. Where do you put your hands? Who do you look at? Should we stay still or be moving? A professional photographer will be able to guide your family into flattering poses then give prompts to evoke genuine emotional reactions while in these poses. This produces those 'candid' images that we all love so much. It also gives variety to your full gallery. For example, a gallery with varied posing might include: standing still, walking, sitting down, laying down, close up shots, far away shots, looking at the camera, looking at other family members, etc. Having a photographer who knows how to pose will allow your family to enjoy their session without the pressure of worrying about what to do next.

2) WE USE CONTRACTS

Almost all professional photographers use a contract. These contracts should be signed by both parties: the person hiring the photographer and the photographer themselves. A contract protects you as a client so you know exactly what you are receiving for your investment. What can you expect to see in a contract?

  1. Session Details- Date, time, location, participants. This is a great source of information to look back on if you forget when or where your session is. 
  2. How many photos you will receive and turnaround editing time- Wondering how long it will take to receive your images? Be confident in this answer with a contract to protect you.  
  3. What you can do with your images- My contracts come with a print release that gives you permission to print your images through a third party and post them on social media. 
  4. Model Release- What can the photographer do with your images? Can they post them online, use them for advertising, etc. 
  5. Reschedule/Cancellation Policy- Life happens! Having clear rules about rescheduling takes the confusion out of the process. 


3) WE HAVE PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT

It is super tempting to just have a friend snap a few quick images of your family (perhaps with an iPhone, maybe with a 'professional looking' camera). But there is so much more that goes into it! Is the shutter speed fast enough to freeze your child in time while running or will they look blurry? Is the camera equipped to handle to low light of the hospital room after you've had a baby? Are they proficient in using Lightroom or Photoshop to edit your images after? Are you planning on having the images printed? Fun fact- The iPhone 11 has a 12 megapixel camera while the Sony A7III (my current camera) is 24 megapixels. This can make a significant difference during the printing process. 

Most professionals shoot in manual mode which allows us to control exactly how the image is taken. We specifically set our: shutter speed (how fast the image is taken), aperture (depth of field=amount of blurry background/foreground), ISO (sensitivity to light) to create a perfect exposure for the situation. We also choose our lens for the specific circumstances. For example: using a 35mm during a newborn session allows me to stay close to the baby for safety reasons while using a 70mm during a portrait session will be more flattering and elongate your facial features. Does all that sound incredibly confusing? That's ok! That is why you are hiring me!

4) WE RUN A LEGAL BUSINESS 

A professional photographer will run a legal business. I have a LLC (Limited Liability Company), pay state/federal taxes, and hold a liability/equipment insurance policy. I take my job very seriously and run my business accordingly. 

5) YOU WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT A LOCAL FAMILY

Know that by hiring a professional, you support their family. While it might seem expensive to hire a professional, after their CODB (Cost of doing business- paying taxes, expenses, insurance, etc.) is factored in, you might be surprised how little money they actually take home. And this money is used to directly support members of your own community. Support small business, shop local! 

Take The Next Step!

Capture Your Memories

Are you sold on the idea of hiring a professional photographer but worried about the cost? Don't be afraid to ask your photographer if they offer payment plans to help (I do!). Interested in booking with Nicole Coons Photography?

Contact Me Today!