4 Reasons to NOT Hire a Professional Photographer/Videographer

When I first began marketing my photography as a professional service, I wanted to be hired for any type of shoot.  You know, the typical things: Weddings, retirement parties, corporate events, modeling shoots, etc.  I also wanted people to hire me for smaller events like kids' birthday parties or any other small event you can think of.  It didn't take me long to realize that not every event warrants a professional photographer.  Here are four reasons you may not need a pro:

1. Your event is small.  You're event may be important, but it just may not warrant hiring a professional photographer. Point-and-shoot cameras and cell phones may work great!  EXCEPTION:  IF you have a gathering of people who rarely get together (out of town family and friends) and you want portraits done, by all means, hire a photographer for that once-in-a-blue-moon portrait opportunity!
2. "Just ok" is good enough.  I don't mean to sound condescending here, but sometimes "just
   
   ok" is exactly what is needed. If having high quality photos is not that important to you, why would you spend the money?  Not every event or occasion needs perfect lighting or high quality photos. Company picnics are a great example. People wear clothes that they will be comfortable in while enduring hot Summer temperatures. They get sweaty and sometimes dirty. A regular ol' snapshot will do just fine. 
   EXCEPTION: If there is corporate programming at the picnic, you may want to consider hiring a professional to cover any speeches given by management and executives. Or, if awards are to be handed out to employees.
3. Your event is going to be covered by media. If you've sent out press releases to media outlets and have verification that the media is going to cover your event, you more than likely won't
   need your own professional photographer. Many newspaper/magazine photographers are
   
   freelance and they know exactly what they are doing. If you're nice, they may even send you the pics they take of the event. At a minimum, you will be able to link to the online story that the media outlet publishes.
   EXCEPTION: If you have specific needs/wants for coverage, you should hire your own professional. Money = control, at least to a certain extent.
4. You don't have the budget.  Professional photographers/videographers bring significant skill, knowledge, and high quality equipment to the table. Therefore, we charge a premium for our services.  If your budget does not allow for that level of professionalism, then hiring a professional simply is not an option unless you are willing to cut expenses in another part of your budget. 
   EXCEPTION: If you have a friend who is a photographer and owes you a favor, or, if you have a service/product you offer as a "trade for service" that just might land you a professional for little or no monetary expense.

Obviously, if you have the money and desire for professional quality photos and/or video, by all means hire a pro!  Just make sure your hire the right pro for your event!

Hint Hint ;-)
(901) 213-7890
ande@geminimm.com