The advantages of using a Commercial Photographer vs. a cell phone

Question: Today you may ask: "Why can't I just take photos for my business with my (Fill in the blank) cell phone? It takes great photos"

Answer: You can and many do. But define: "It takes great photos". The phone does not understand the other 3 elements of light (it does know 1 element: How bright/dark the scene is), it does not know how to compose, it does not know when to take the image, it does not know that it really needs a tripod, it does not know how to direct anyone in the photo, it only technically captures what you point it to. It is a great photo to you because it is a memory, to others it is likely a snapshot.

Question: If other people/companies are doing this, (taking photos with a cell phone) why should I use a commercial photographer?

Answer: The images you use on your website tell the world who you are professionally and these same photos will help craft someone's first impression of you or your business.

Question: All of the cell phone manufacturers use photos sent to them shot by their cell phones and they look great! Why do I need a professional?

Answer: If you had to look at the tens of thousands of ordinary photos, and less than ordinary, that get sent into the cell companies to find the 15-20 amazing images each shot by a different person who may NEVER be able to do it again, you would understand why you want to hire a professional photographer.

It is one thing to get an amazing image accidentally, which is totally different than systematically getting an amazing image over and over and over again day after day after day.

The likelihood of you shooting a photo with your cell phone that will be truly memorable to others is very low. The likelihood of you shooting a second amazing photo is lower. It can happen, and if you are visually creative, attuned to the 4 elements of light, understand composition and know exactly when to take the photo, you will likely be able to shoot amazing photos from time to time.

"The real goal is to emotionally?move someone to call you, contact you, reach for the credit card and buy from you. Today this starts with photography & videos."

People want what they see. If it looks: Pretty, interesting, needed, wanted, desired, like fun, like it is going to taste good you will have the opportunity to have a new client. At this point, my job as an image creator is done.

The law of averages tell us that if enough people shoot enough photos, sooner or later (mostly later) one of them will shoot something extraordinary. The rest of these photos are at best range from very good all the way to very ordinary. Most of the photos will be very ordinary. Do you really want ordinary?

And if you notice, a LOT of the truly great images are "Sponsored", meaning a really good advertising photographer shot them. Advertising photographers are commercial photographers that have achieved the ability to produce wonderful images at a higher level.?

All of us see these photos on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and other SM sites (Social Media), and I see these poor photos every time I'm on SM. And I also see some stunning photos as you have too and they STAND OUT! Proving my point.

How many photos have you seen today? Driving to work, YouTube, Facebook, catalogs, magazines, bill boards, tops of taxi's, sides and the back of buses, inside a taxi etc. Out of all of these, how many do you remember? My guess is maybe 1 if that. We live in a world filled with photos and videos. You can't pump gas without having being all but forced to watch/listen a video.

Question: Why do I need great imagery?

Answer: So you will at least have a chance to break through the visual clutter that surrounds us in our lives. Even WITH great images, it is difficult to get noticed, but your chances are a great deal better with great imagery vs. ordinary.

Another Answer: Imagery today defines who you are. People do not read, they want to be fed a series of great images to see who you are or what your company is about. This imagery must speak in a positive voice of: Quality, consistency, permanence and sustainability.

Important point! Speaking about commercial photographers, in very broad strokes, there are 2 types.

Type 1: Very creative and are problem solvers. A lot of “Things” can happen on a photo shoot that will cause a bit of angst. The creative photographer will think of a solution that will make it “Work”. Creative types can shoot many great images in a day, as long as the required conditions are present. Generally speaking these photographers are on the high side to very high side price wise.

Type 2: Non creative photographer and are not known to solve problems. These types only know 1 or 2 lighting styles and are not prone to working out of their comfort zones. IF! And only if, these types get you what you need, they can be a better deal cost wise than the creative types. However Type 2 photographers will not likely consistently deliver stunning imagery. It is not that they do not want to, it is they can't due to a lack of being out of their comfort zone.

Exception to Type 1 and Type 2: There is some gray area if a new photographer, likely starting at a Type 2 is pushing themselves to be better and getting experience, making mistakes and learning. These photographers are on the way to be a Type 1 photographer and that is the gray area. They are not really Type 2 and they are not at Type 1... yet.

Not all photographers are the same. And it is not just photographers, every profession will have a wide range of talents ranging from ho hum to WOW! For me, I want WOW!

https://stevethornton.com/fashion-beauty-portrait-home/fashion-home/atlanta-ga-fashion-photographer.html

The bottom line:

Irrespective of type of business you are involved with, remember that the correct commercial photographer will help to increase your company’s positive development.

You need great imagery more now than ever so you will be able to stand out apart from your competition.??

Feel free to share this, and all of my articles/posts.

Steve Thornton

www.stevethornton.com

Email: [email protected]

Direct link to this article on my website: https://stpvd.com/19/19

This is the link to this article on LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/advantages-using-commercial-photographer-vs-cell-phone-steve-thornton/?published=t

Other articles

How to prep for a commercial photo shoot for your company. stpvd.com/p17/11

How to find a great photographer Part 1 stpvd.com/p17/12

How to find a great photographer Part 2 stpvd.com/p17/14

"Normal" professional photographer terms and what they mean to lay people stp-v.com/p17/15/

Common photographic fees. stpvd.com/p18/14

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This article and all photos are Copyright Steve Thornton.