Shutter Speed: When the Best Moments in Time Should Be Left to the Pros

Technology can be very empowering, and many times that’s a good thing. It can also lure us into a sense of believing that we’re better at something than we really are; being able to instantly translate a foreign phrase doesn’t make one fluent in that language, and having a high-quality camera integrated into our smartphone doesn’t make one a professional photographer. It may improve the quality of your pictures, but you still won’t know the difference between an f-stop and a four-way stop—or why it matters. 

Take the “candid” shot: Seemingly so simple, there’s an art to capturing that spontaneity in the perfect light. There are simply some events and circumstances that warrant hiring a professional photographer, whether it’s that one-in-a-lifetime occasion or something that could add value to or enable a business or financial opportunity. PhotosTM shares a few tips below.

Don’t take chances when money’s on the line
Between global commerce and the proliferation of remote workers, our first impressions of business colleagues and vendors are often online. This is why a professional headshot should be a requisite for every business. Not only does it provide potential clients, customers, and partners with a first impression, but it’s an image that is often replicated on other sites, such as professional networking and social media sites, as well as in news stories and business proposals. From the way you sit or stand, to the background behind you, this seemingly simple undertaking requires more preparation and thought than your fourth-grade photoshoot.

Mannix notes that hiring a professional photographer to shoot your corporate events can also help your business brand. In addition to professional shots adding credibility to your website, most people in general like seeing themselves included in photos, and may be inclined to share high-quality images across social media, adding mileage to your branding efforts. 

A knowledgeable and experienced photographer is an absolute must if you have notable attendees, such as government officials, celebrities, or other dignitaries at your event. Consider hiring a professional photographer for any public speaking or training events that you or someone in your business is conducting as well for your promotional materials.

Also, you’ll want to hire a professional photographer if you’re selling your home to show it in its best light. When your prospective buyers click on those images, you want shots that will beckon them and make them believe that they could see themselves cooking in your kitchen or relaxing on the patio in the quiet of the morning. While this has always been true, never has it been more important than in this era of COVID-19 when many people are reluctant to go places—or at a minimum, judicious about what compels them to leave their surroundings and close-knit circle. 
Real estate agents have gotten creative about using technology for 3D walkthroughs, virtual open houses, or even video-chat tours. Professional photos are a key component of this new era of home marketing.

A bridge of miles and experiences
In times of uncertainty, capturing special moments that allow you to relieve valuable memories becomes more important than ever. Being able to share photos of pregnancies, engagements, wedding ceremonies, and the first and last days of school with loved ones far away, or with those unable to safely visit, can offer a treasured connection in what seems like a distant world for so many.
Personal photos also give younger family members historical context. We’ve all marveled at pictures of our parents and grandparents when they were young, as though we could never have imagined them that way. Future questions of “where were you in 2020?” or “what did you look like when you were my age?” can be answered pictorially with professional images worthy of keeping for yet another generation.
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A worthy investment
British photographer Martin Parr said, “Photography is the simplest thing in the world, but it is incredibly complicated to make it really work.” You may marvel at your improved photos with the latest iPhone camera, and then you try to capture the breathtaking beauty of a morning mist or a night sky and you just can’t quite seem to get there. That’s what professional photographers do: connect you and the ones you love with that perfect moment in time, captured.
This article is brought to you by PhotosTM—My name is Tsafrir (Mike) Melamed. As your wedding photographer, it’s my job—and my privilege—to capture all of those special, fleeting moments during your wedding, plus a great many others, so that in the weeks, months, and years to come, you will be able to experience them, possibly for the first time, and then enjoy them over and over again. In the photojournalism style, I stay behind the scenes, snapping candid shots as the story unfolds and taking more formal, staged photographs when appropriate. The result is a joyous and natural collection of scenes from your most special day. For more information, please visit my website or contact me today!