Have you ever seen an image of a family that stopped you in your tracks? Maybe it was a shot framed on a friend's wall or online somewhere. "Wow, that is so beautiful and sweet!" you said to yourself or out loud. I'd wager that image that captured your admiration was not any old phone shot, but was captured by a professional photographer. They were able to create something frame-worthy, that draws out the natural beauty of the subjects. Those moments we put on the wall or in photo books are important enough to hire someone to capture them in a way most people can’t. Most people wouldn’t hand a phone to a friend to grab photos for their wedding. No, they hire a professional! Here are a few reasons a professional family session is worth it:

A Professional Photographer Has An Eye for Key Moments

You can always find new, cheap photographers in any market that can get a decent “smiling” shot, but one with years of experience has a trained eye for seeing key moments. They know just when to push the shutter when everyone is happy and smiling, or how to frame a shot just right for something as simple as your family walking together. They’ve spent years learning to see people in a way that draws out their natural beauty and can craft that perfect moment. They can see your normal family interactions in an artful way, whereas someone just snapping a quick photo wouldn’t have seen it or probably missed it. They are able to make something that feels timeless, that you will love to look back on for many years to come.

A Professional Photographer Helps Your Family Pose Naturally

I’m sure you’ve seen a photo of a family that just isn’t flattering. Anyone can take a photo, but only someone with experience and an eye for posing can make sure everyone looks their best in the final image. It can be as simple as turning to the side just a bit or squaring shoulders back. A professional can see how to help your family look natural while getting flattering angles. Kids especially can look stiff when you just say “cheese!” Someone with experience can help everyone feel comfortable so you get photos that capture the essence of who they are, not just a forced smile.

A Professional Photographer Understands Light and Locations

One of the biggest benefits of hiring a professional photographer for your family photos is that they understand lighting and know stunning locations. It’s a passion for most professionals, and finding that beautiful light is one of their main goals. They will help you choose the perfect location for your family, and be familiar with the best times to have the session. Even when the lighting is less than ideal, they have the experience to achieve beautiful images in any situation.

A Professional Photographer Has High-Quality Gear and Software

This one seems like a no-brainer, but having the right gear is a huge factor for image quality. Most people don’t have the kinds of equipment a professional has or the same expertise in editing. A good professional has spent years using their cameras and won’t waste your time making sure they have the right settings. They have put in the time to masterfully use their gear so that you barely notice they are making adjustments all along the way. There are also some great editing apps these days, but it takes a trained eye to make them all look cohesive and natural while improving on the original shot. They’ve often invested lots of time and money into fine-tuning their craft and can produce a look that is hard to achieve without their particular skills.

You Can Choose a Photographer that Fits Your Aesthetic

A professional photographer can give you a beautiful aesthetic that is otherwise hard to achieve. There is a reason people flock to certain photographers that have an amazing “look.” They offer something unique and hard to replicate by other means. You can have your own version of that gorgeous photo you saw that caught your eye. A good photographer will be able to deliver images from your session that are cohesive with the rest of their portfolio, while also giving you something specific to your own family. They can shoot in the same location, with the same light, and similar poses, and still create a beautifully individual representation of your family, not something that feels like “copy and paste”.

A Professional Photographer Will Help Alleviate Stress

It is always hard to get everyone dressed and out the door in a timely manner, let alone plan for photos! Then you hope that everyone is in a good mood and happy for at least ONE shot. A good photographer will help make the whole process as easy as possible for your family. They will help advise you on outfit choices and take the pressure off of you to get everyone looking. They’ll know how to make a “flow” for your session, and give you things to do that feel more natural than just standing awkwardly. Even when kids are in bad moods, an experienced photographer can still get some amazing shots. Personally, I’ve walked away from every family shoot we’ve done thinking, “I just hope we got one.” I have always been so pleasantly surprised at home many beautiful images we received, that I just couldn’t see from in front of the camera. A good family photographer knows how to work with all your dynamics, and will make the most of every moment you have in front of their lens.

You Can Create Artful Memories

My personal reason for having professional family photos taken is to preserve our family memories artfully. I love having beautiful art in my home and for all our memories to look like they belong with my favorite works of art. I love to go back and look at those ethereal images from some of my most cherished memories. It makes me happy to see those moments captured of our family on a daily basis, and our kids love to look at them too.

Did I miss anything? I’d love to hear what makes professional family photos worth the investment to you in the comments below. It is such a joy for me to work with all kinds of families to craft natural, ethereal imagery they will cherish. I’d love to connect with you about how I can do the same for your family. Send a message here, and I will be happy to give you more information.