The number of people who have camera phones is in the millions, maybe even billions, and the quality of cameras on smart phones is increasing year on year. Social media apps such as Instagram and other free photo editors have made it easy to add filters and change the look of images, factors that all contribute to the fact that many are now calling themselves photographers. .
So, what makes professional photographers ‘professional’ and why do we recommend that they always be used for business imagery?
Professional photographers always come prepared. Many amateurs may have the skills to take brilliant photographs, but they do not always have the experience or the correct equipment for the job at hand. Experience is invaluable in the field of photography, as it helps the photographer to prepare and consider every eventuality of a photo shoot, including all equipment that may be necessary including lighting and lenses (not just the camera). Having experience of being in unfortunate situations or unforeseen circumstances mean that true professionals can anticipate and deal with any of these issues before they really surface. In this situation amateurs may be caught off guard and try to continue without adapting their techniques or equipment accordingly, leading to disappointing results.
Even if an amateur owns the same camera or equipment as a professional, this does not mean that it has the same value in the hands that it is in. Professionals know cameras and their many settings and capabilities inside and out, including how to adjust them and change between settings quickly and efficiently so to not waste time on set. Amateurs may end up wasting time fiddling with different settings meaning clients will have to wait around which is less than ideal. This can also mean less time for actually taking photos meaning less usable shots at the end.
Taking photographs for a professional photographer is not just about having fun and creating cool pictures and content, it’s their livelihood. This means they take extra care, dedication and time to get the job and the editing done to the absolute highest of standards as their means of income and reputation depends on it. Editing thousands of images from a shoot to find the perfect ones is run of the mill for a professional but may not be what an amateur signed up for.
Take a look at some images of Amateur vs. Professional photography of the same location and see the difference a professional can make for yourself! (Images from boredpanda.com courtesy of Philip Haumesser)
If you need new or updated imagery or photography for your business or organisation, whether it be headshots, product imagery or landscape photography, contact us today for high quality, professional images.
For more information about Pinch of Salts and the bespoke marketing services we offer including events, social media, PR, brand management, website design and much more, or to get in touch:
www.pinchofsalts.com, email info@pinchofsalts.com or call 0845 388 5305 to speak to a member of the team.
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