With cameras so cheap and available, everyone has become an amateur photographer. When digital photography lowered the cost factor, the average person could now be both photographer and photo shop for much less than prints formerly cost. Yet, here are some reasons why being the chief photographer isn’t always best at all.
First, if you are the family photographer, you know the bondage it can be to always be looking for the ‘perfect shot’. If you’re going to be good at it, you must think like a photographer. Yet, when you get done, you have a set of good pictures but no memories of what happened? Recently we learned that our granddaughter would be in a parade that would be streamed on the Internet. I retrieved the camera to record it but missed the moment the camera focused on her because I was fiddling with the camera. I wish I had just enjoyed the moment and waited until they sent the pictures.
Electronics in cameras have definitely made them simple to use. However, it can be difficult to keep straight how to make the camera do what you want. What do all the icons on top mean? Do you know how to turn on or off the auto focus or flash? What does P, TV, Av, or M stand for? Unless you are using these features regularly, you will probably forget them and they are then as useful as if they were not there at all.
As the photographer, you are often required to get into obtuse contortions or obnoxious places to get just the right shot. Further, you can lose a lot of friends by sticking the camera in their face every time they smile. Then you will coax them, tease them, bribe them, trick them until you can get the memory. Wouldn’t you like to let someone else do all that next time?
So you do it anyway and get a camera full of shots. Now as the hero others will be bothering you with requests for CDs of the shots, thinking you have lots of free time. Or they may be sending you an email asking you to post the pictures online or send them as attachments to your email.
The problem is more than just the amount of time required. Though digital photography need never be printed, some friends simply don’t have access to this media. For them you will need to buy photographic paper and lots of ink for your printer. Are you without a printer? If not, be sure to get one that has multiple ink cartridges so that they can be replaced individually when all the relatives keep asking for more prints.
You won’t have any trouble being identified as a tourist if you hang a camera around your neck and take plenty of shots. People will be sure to get the message that your pictures are more important to you than they are.
Think of this: if you have a minor plumbing problem, you fix it yourself. But when a major problem arises, you take it to a mechanic. That is also true of photography. Sure, keep your camera and take plenty of shots. But when a major event comes up, why don’t you get an expert to take the pictures and you just concentrate on enjoying yourself for a change.
When you want your photos done right, choosing the best photographer for your needs is worth the investment. If you follow the principles above, you will likely be glad you had it done professionally. Del Haven Studio is the location of a proven Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer who is experienced in expertly capturing professional portraits.