Will Cell Phone Cameras Make Professional Photographers Obsolete?
Today, almost everyone of us is a photographer! Everyone who owns a smart phone has access to a high-quality camera that is easy to use and always at hand. Not a day goes by that we don’t see these cameras used for quick snapshots, selfies, and short videos of interesting events of the day. Many of these images and videos are quickly and easily shared with our friends, family, and others through social media applications. We are a visual culture today, because of these wonderful, ubiquitous devices. Yet, it’s a common understanding that there are more pictures being taken today and fewer pictures being printed than at any time in history!
While these smart phone devices serve a valuable purpose in our daily life, they have one very significant shortfall that we should beware. Digital images by themselves are not a durable means of preserving moments and events that are truly important to us. Most of these digital images will live in the storage of the device itself, or, if downloaded, on a hard drive or in cloud storage. Many of us have experienced the trauma of having a hard drive crash or dropping a cell phone into a puddle, which usually results in the loss of data. If the data included cherished personal images, then we are often out of luck, as the data is usually lost forever.
While this smart phone technology has allowed for many of us to address our casual photography needs, there are times when there is no substitute for professional photography. Professional photographers have the education, training, experience, and equipment to perform a critical role in various aspects of life from commercial photography, such as marketing and advertising, to journalism, to artistic pursuits, such as portraiture.
A competent professional photographer has a variety of tools and techniques available to satisfy a vast array of client requirements. Even video may be used to address certain needs. Although professional photographers may be distinguished by their artistic point of view and style, most all possess the skills and expertise to employ excellent lighting techniques, the accepted rules of composition, staging, and the creative positioning of people, pets, and props to achieve the best results for any photographic scenario. A professional photographer will also be an expert in retouching enhancements such that subjects, whether people, pets, or things, look their very best. The professional photographer will also have the expertise to provide advice on how best to display finished portraits, at what size, and suggested framing to provide for a timeless and cherished family heirloom for generations. Professional photography, properly printed and framed, has a longevity of over 100 years, insuring that we will be remembered well into the future.
If you are considering hiring a professional photographer, what should you look for?
Most likely, you will find your photographer to be a small business owner in your community with a store front or home-based business. You should have no problem identifying choices through a simple internet search or by asking trusted friends or acquaintances for a referral. A quick look at a photographers website should reveal the information you need to make an informed decision. You should be able to evaluate the photographer’s style and quality of work and understand the breadth of services offered. He or she should be licensed and insured, and, in Virginia, you should see the business owner’s license prominently displayed within the establishment. Look also for the photographer’s support to the local community to gain an appreciation of how the professional photographer shares his or her talents with others. You may find that the photographer supports a cause you favor, an added bonus.
Membership in professional organizations is important, too, for this often reveals the commitment of the photographer to the craft of professional photography. The recognized national organization for professional photography is Professional Photographers of America (PPA), which supports and promotes the industry across the country and internationally. PPA awards the degree of Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) to individual members who are motivated to reach the highest levels of professional expertise. The CPP designation is awarded to those who voluntarily agree to be examined by PPA for photographic excellence. Although, there are less than 2000 CPPs nationally, perhaps the one you are considering is one. Within Virginia, the Virginia Professional Photographers Association (VPPA) has for over 125 years represented the professional photography industry through networking and education. Membership in both PPA and VPPA would be great indicators that the photographer is professional, licensed, insured, and competent to meet all your photographic needs.
Once you have chosen your professional photographer, you should contact the business and explain what it is you want to have done. The business owner should be able, based on your requirements, to provide you an estimate of the cost. You should also be asked to schedule a consultation, in person, by phone, or through video teleconferencing. It is very important that the scope of work is clearly understood by the business so that costs may be contained and provide you the confidence of staying within your budget. Speaking of costs, there will be a variation in costs depending on the professional photographer’s experience and talent. Professional photography is not inexpensive, but will deliver the professional results you want.
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