Don't use your Smartphone for your online Portrait!

Is Your Smartphone’s Portrait Mode Making the Cut?

If you own a smartphone these days, you probably have this nifty little feature in the palm of your hand called “portrait mode”. As portrait mode and smartphone cameras continue to improve, there isn’t really any need to hire professional photographers anymore, right? Wrong! While companies like Apple and Samsung are trying to convince you that your phone has all the camera capabilities you need, I’m here to share with you why portrait mode isn’t going to make the cut for your professional photo needs.

Selfies will Distort Your Face

If you own the latest iPhone model, you have access to the “selfie” version of portrait mode where you can take self-portraits with blurred backgrounds. Sounds great, right? In theory, yes, but there are some caveats. Did you know that it’s scientifically proven that selfies distort your face and tend to make your nose look 30% bigger than it actually is in real life? Yikes. I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want my nose to be the first thing someone focuses on when they see a photo of my face. Professional photographers are equipped with the best lenses that will capture your face just as it looks in person, without making any of your features appear distorted. 

Social Media vs. Professional Use

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat make it easy to share moments in just a matter of seconds by snapping a photo with your smartphone. There is definitely room for smartphone photos to be used online, but there are several instances when it would be inappropriate to use these types of pictures. Oftentimes professional networking sites like LinkedIn are used to connect with future employers, apply for jobs, and ultimately make the best first impression possible. What says, “I don’t take myself seriously,” more than using a grainy, poorly-lit photo from your phone as your profile image? 

Invest in Yourself

Professional photos should be used in any circumstance where you want to put your best foot forward. Company websites, blog pages, and online portfolios should all contain professional portraits that highlight your best features and show that you take yourself seriously as a professional. By investing some of your time and money into booking a portrait session with a qualified photographer like myself, you are showing future employers that you value yourself and they should too. 

No Control Over Portrait Mode

At first glance, portrait mode on your phone may seem amazing with the way it instantly blurs the background of your photos, but what you’re not considering is the lack of control portrait mode offers. Professional photographers have the ability to control everything in their environment by calculating specific details within their camera and lighting a scene properly. If you’re in an area with poor lighting, that flash on your iPhone isn’t going to do your face any favors, I promise. Portrait mode photos tend to have a jagged edge around the subject’s face where you can clearly see the background being blurred. This effect is great for social media photos, but for professional use, it tends to look really cheap and distracting.

Portrait mode also doesn’t give you the option to shoot in a raw format. What does this mean? When professional photographers take your photo, they shoot in a format that allows them the most control during the editing process. It gives them the ability to brighten up your face, darken the background, and make the colors pop without ruining the quality of your photo. When you edit pictures on your phone by applying filters, you are quickly degrading the quality of the image. 

Most importantly, the biggest difference between shooting a portrait on your smartphone and hiring a professional photographer to take your picture is the quality of care. Professionals know how to make you look your best. If the light is reflecting poorly off your glasses, they’ll light the scene to counteract the glare. If you seem stiff in front of the camera, the photographer can suggest poses to help you loosen up. Ultimately, my job as a professional photographer is to make you look and feel your best, which is something that portrait mode can never offer. 

Let's collaborate and get you looking the best you can be! Please feel free to get in touch at (310) 663-0712 or book a session online.