With all of this easy access to cameras, why hire a professional?
In this post I’ll share with you why hiring a professional is valuable, as well as how I believe that I bring value to my clients.
I choose not to get caught up too much with the type of equipment I use, but I have invested thousands and thousands of dollars into it and feel as though it is integral for me to be able to fulfill my clients' many different needs.
Any professional you hire should have the necessary equipment to be able to provide you with the quality you expect, as well as give you confidence in knowing they come prepared on the day of your session. I’m not saying that every photo session has to involve a ton of equipment (many of mine don’t), but there is tremendous value in having gear available when it’s appropriate, and knowledge to use them as needed.
VISION, ARTISTRY, AND GUIDANCE
I believe in the huge value of being on the receiving end of an artist’s vision. We are all unique and have something different to bring to the table. A professional’s job is to bring their vision and artistry to each portrait session. It is important for me to collaborate with each of my clients, especially if they have their own vision for their portraits or artwork, but ultimately it is up to me to bring my vision and artistry to reality for each of my subjects.
Receiving guidance is a significant value when working with a professional. When I have been on the other side of the lens, I’ve experienced that need for guidance. My clients expect and deserve to be thoughtfully guided before, during, and after their session. I know that a valuable part of my job to tell my subjects whether or not that what we are doing is working well from an imagery, as well as guide them toward different posing, actions, and activities that I feel will result in the most stunning imagery .
EDITING
Part of my value as a professional is my editing abilities. Yes, I know how to use Photoshop and utilize it for my clients’ final artwork, but I am talking about culling the best images to present to my clients. I would be doing them a disservice if I handed them a pile of images and told them to figure it out. A professional should use their years of experience to narrow down a reasonable number of images for their clients to make selections. Again, this is where I use my trained “eye” as part of my services to my clients.
Editing takes a lot of time and expertise, which is part of what I believe my clients deserve.
EXPERIENCE
I know that being on the other side of the camera can be strange or even uncomfortable for some. It is imperative that whoever is in front of my lens is comfortable. The more relaxed my subjects are, the more successful the final artwork is likely to be. An undeniable value of hiring a professional is that they have the experience of working with a wide variety of personality types in many types of scenarios. True professionals are experienced it troubleshooting when issues arise, and they know how to make sure there is a sense of “flow” in the session so you feel confident that you’re making a good investment.
Very experienced professionals collaborate, make efforts to bring their vision and artistry to life using their experience, troubleshoot lighting and technical conditions, navigate personalities, show sensitivity to the anxiety a Boudoir photoshoot may bring— all while making sure you enjoy yourself in the process. That’s always my goal, at least.
HEIRLOOM PRODUCTS
Hiring a good professional photographer as AM Boudoir, you are not only investing on beautiful digital images that will be forgotten on a hard drive. It’s not just about being able to capture and edit beautiful portraits. It’s about going one step further to create products and heirloom pieces that maximize the enjoyment of this art to be passed down to generations to come. That is the crucial third piece of the puzzle.
We offer in-person design consultations for ordering your albums, wall art, and other heirloom products. Years of photographic product knowledge and design experience to assist you with all of your ordering needs from start to finish.
We walk you through each step of creating cherished heirlooms from your Boudoir session for you to enjoy time and time again. You will be able to feel and pour over our gorgeous material swatches, see custom framing options, and look and experience other photographic products so that you can be sure you are making the right design and ordering decisions.
Hey you! (The one holding the camera phone snapping photos of your dog and/or your kiddo). You’re never in your photos and when you are, it’s kind of awkward, right? Hiring a professional allows you to be in your own portraits in a way that is just different than using a selfie stick or handing a phone to a friend. I know this because I’ve experienced it.
Now what do you think? Will you DIY your images ? I don't think so :) Click the button below to get your complimentary consultation! We can't wait to hear from you!
** Andressa Martins is an internationally awarded photographer living in Urbana, MD, specialized in Boudoir, Female and Family portraits as well in Fine Art photography. She is a member of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and has worked creating beautiful images in different countries such as France, Spain, and Brazil. She shoots in studio and on location.**
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