Why You Shouldn’t DIY Family Photos

It can be so rewarding to take on a new DIY project. Whether tackling a home improvement project or trying your hand at a cool craft you saw on Pinterest, it can be fun to try something new, and satisfying to see the results of your efforts. You may also be excited at the potential cost savings you may experience when you do it yourself, compared to hiring a professional to do the same job.

Sounds great, right? But before you jump into a DIY project, there are other things to consider as well. Factors like equipment, skills, time, and monetary cost should be taken into account. You’ll want to think about what you have, what you need, what you are giving up, and what you are saving by doing it yourself or working with a professional.

Take family photos for instance. Some families may consider taking DIY family photos vs. hiring a professional photographer for their family portraits. As a professional family portrait photographer, I can give you some great reasons to consider for why you shouldn’t DIY family photos.

Equipment and Quality

These days, almost everyone walks around with a high-quality camera in their pocket at all times. So, you should be just fine taking your family portraits yourself, right?

The camera on your iPhone or other smart phone is great for everyday photo taking. It’s wonderful how convenient it is to capture high-quality images in an easy-to-use, point and shoot format. But for capturing family portraits, an iPhone just won’t cut it.

As a professional photographer, I use much more advanced equipment during photo shoots, and also utilize some of the best tools out there for post-shoot editing. This ensures the highest quality for your family portraits. After all, we are capturing these special memories for you to remember and enjoy for many years to come, so it makes sense to make an investment for professional quality.

Skills and Experience

Not only does a professional photographer come with their own equipment, more importantly, they bring professional skills, too. The experience and skills a professional brings to a job simply cannot be duplicated with a DIY family photo shoot.

As a professional photographer, I know exactly where the right light is to give you the best look in your portraits. I also know how to make everyone comfortable, and prompt your family so we get natural, genuine expressions.

From the outside, it may look easy to set up the perfect shot, but this process is something I have become skilled at over time and with lots of practice.

Time and Logistics

You should also consider the time and logistics that go into taking DIY family photos. If you are unfamiliar with your phone’s settings, or want to know more about lighting, angles, and editing to capture and produce the best family photos, it can take significant time and research even just to cover the basics.

Then, there is the actual photo shoot. It can be stressful to simply get your family physically ready for a family photo session. So, imagine how much more stressful it will be if you are also trying to set up and take the photos yourself! And if you are taking the photos with your phone, how will you be in the photo yourself?

The time investment and stress headaches can easily be avoided by skipping the DIY shoot and hiring a professional photographer instead. I have been photographing families for many years and can easily guide you through the process. See my tips for stress-free family portraits.

After the Photo Shoot

Finally, what about all the work involved after the photo shoot? Choosing the best photos from the many taken during a session is a big job. That's where I come in and take away that stress. I choose the best shots from our session, edit them and present them to you so you can use them how you' d like.

At the end of the day, hiring a professional photographer to capture your family portraits can cost more than attempting DIY family photos. But you are also saving yourself a lot of time and stress and getting a better-quality product and experience than you would be able to produce yourself. I hope you can agree, professional family portraits are an investment worth making.

I strive to make family portrait sessions fun, natural, and as stress-free as possible. Let me do the “work” while you get to enjoy the time together with your family. Book your session today!