Now that most people have a smartphone with a camera, they often rely on friends or relatives to take photos for them at an event. Or, they may even do it for free for themselves. Amateur smartphone photography is likely one of the main contributors to the decline in the photography industry. However, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that its prediction of a 6 percent decline from 2018 to 2028 is at least partially due to companies deciding to contract with freelancers rather than hire their own. 

Despite this fact, professional photographers can make all the difference in the quality of photos, whether it’s for a wedding, corporate event, marketing a home, family pictures, or something else. Here are just four reasons you should hire a photographer in NYC, or in any city where you need stellar photographs. 

1. Training and Experience 

Professional photographers are pros for a reason. There’s a lot more to capturing pictures than merely pushing a button. It’s rather technical, requiring knowledge of cameras inside and out, finding the best lighting, capturing the perfect tone, and moment. It can take years to learn all of this, and it requires an artistic mind as well. Most beginners don’t have the expertise to take high-quality photos like pros who’ve gone through specialized training and have years of experience behind them.

2. High-Tech Equipment

While smartphones can capture some great pics, they still can’t compare to the best equipment in the industry. Professional photographers have the tools to produce the best photographs possible, from special lenses, lights, and more. 

3. A Professional Takes the Job Seriously

When you hire a professional photographer, you can expect them to be committed to showing up and doing the job right. A professional photographer will be contractually guaranteed to ensure the job is done on time and done well. If you use an amateur, anything could happen. Without a contract, you could end up with no photos or scrambling to find someone else at the last minute.

4. No Rookie Mistakes

Photography amateurs often make mistakes when taking photographs that the pros never will. While there’s a long list of possibilities here, a common mistake includes always shooting at eye-level, which makes photos average rather than extraordinary. Professional photographers know to shoot at various levels to create photographs that are more interesting and appealing.

Inexperienced photographers may also not get close enough to the subject. This results in somewhat blurry images by setting the aperture too small. This rookie mistake again comes with a lack of knowledge of the equipment. Knowing the camera and all of its settings is essential, and it takes a lot of practice to be able to use them properly.

While free or cheap smartphone photography is perfectly fine in some situations, there are some circumstances when hiring a pro or budding photographer is well worth the money. By hiring a professional photographer, you’re helping both them and yourself. In addition to receiving quality photos, you can feel good knowing that you’re supporting someone who has put a lot of time, money, and effort into their photography business.

Photo by Benjamin Combs on Unsplash