Taking Your Own Family Photos?

Every year, I see it time and time again. Photographers bemoaning the fact that they can’t get that perfect family shot, their kids won’t cooperate, it’s too hard to manage it all.
The easiest way to fix these dilemmas is to leave it in the hands of a professional. I know, I know. You are the professional, and that’s why you get paid the big bucks. You can take your own photos, WHY would you hire someone else to do it?
Why do your clients?

You are a professional photographer. You love custom photography. In all of the things in the world to scrimp on, why are you scrimping on this? Now, I’m super lucky to live in a fairly large market with a bazillion photographers. I’ve had 3 photo sessions this year alone, lol. Even if you don’t have the budget this year to treat yourself to your favorite photographer, if you have a network of photographer friends in your area you can trade services and shoot each others’ families. You will be shocked at the difference in the behavior of your family when there is someone else taking the photos. You know how it never fails that the people you give a session or a deal to, are always the people who appreciate it the least? Look no further than your own family for the perfect example. They don’t see how important these images are to you. They don’t understand how much you want beautiful images of you (who of course is never in any of the photos because you are always taking them). You know who DOES understand though? Other photographers.

For the longest time, I was hesitant to hire someone to shoot my family, because no one else shot in “my” style. Then I realized that there is something amazing about seeing your family through someone else’s eyes – and it’s even cooler to see them in a style totally unlike your own. This year we hired Chad and Erin Fuller from Fuller Edge to create some amazing family portraits of us. It was so much fun, and it was completely shocking how well my kids listened to them. They smiled, they hugged, they behaved! Best of all, we all had so much FUN!

I know everyone’s circumstances are different, and the budget might not allow for custom portraiture right now. You might live in a small town with no local photogs, or be new in business and not know anyone in your industry. I’m not here to make anyone feel badly if they take their own family photos. I just wanted to give some food for thought about why it’s really awesome to get someone else to capture your family.
It’s also really great being the “client” and seeing things from their point of view. How you really need direction and are unsure of where to put your hands, when to smile, etc. How much you long for that blog sneak peek. How you can completely fall in love with an image of your daughter that is more about the emotion and less about the technical.

So next time instead of reaching for the remote and trying your own family photos, look around at other local photogs and find someone to capture your family with their own special uniqueness. You will love the results and the stress-free feeling!

Super rad Southern California photogs The Image is Found are offering a photographer special right now: Fellow photographers – a family or couple’s session with negatives for $1000. send them an email to set up your session and strut your stuff on the other side of the camera! Seriously, $1000 for the session and negs? I want to fly down there that deal is so good!