Five Reasons Why I’m Probably Not the Best Photographer for You

 So you're thinking about hiring a photographer, and you've come across my website. Great! But before you book me for your next event, there are a few things you should know. Namely, why you probably shouldn't hire me as your photographer. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm a great photographer. I have an eye for composition, I know how to work a session, and I always deliver high-quality photos that my clients love. But I'm also not the right fit for everyone. Here's why:

I cost more than “an arm and a leg.”

Why? Well, tell me one person who gets into any career saying that she wants to be poor, and we can discuss that. But more than that, photography is not my hobby. I left a well-paying career for which I earned both a bachelor's degree and master's degree, to pursue an entrepreneurial creative business where I have to constantly prove my value and worth to potential clients. When I see people posting about looking for photographers “who don’t cost an arm and a leg,” in Facebook forums, I cringe but remind myself that these are not people who value what I do, so they are not clients with whom I’d want to work.

Also: running this business is expensive – from multiple thousand dollar camera bodies and lenses, to software program subscriptions, new laptops or desktops every 2 years, to client management systems, business insurance, endless expensive permits, web and domain hosting costs, to all the continued education I pursue in order to become better for you, my costs often rival my income at the end of the year. And this is just my cost of doing business (I do still have a mortgage, health insurance, preschool, and all the living costs that we all must consider. Adulting is so fun!)

If you’re super critical of yourself, you probably won’t like your photos.

When I’m being honest with myself, I can acknowledge that I’m good at what I do. I make sure to edit my photos in such a way to highlight my clients’ beauty (because yes, all of you have it). But if you already pick yourself apart, I can promise you that my photography is not going to resonate with you. I do not Photoshop out love handles or double chins, for reasons ranging from I’m a photographer, not a professional editor, to my personal feelings about the integrity of my art. Unfortunately, glamour magazines and filters on Instagram has convinced women (and men) that we should all be at a certain level of beauty that literally doesn’t exist on its own, unless you’re Gisele Bundchen (who I guarantee has her own flaws). I can promise you I will do my best to capture you in a way that shares your joy, your depth, your connection with your family and yourself. 

I'm Not Your Average "Maternity, Newborn and Family Photographer”

If you're looking for someone to capture all the traditional, “smile and say cheese” shots—everyone in matching white shirts and jeans, smiling and facing the camera, not a hair out of place—then I'm probably not the photographer for you. That's not to say that I don't capture some posed, smiling moments—I do!—but I also like to focus on the more candid, natural moments that often go unnoticed. The little smiles, the playful glances, the in-between moments that make up your family dynamic. If that's what you're looking for in your photos, then we'll definitely get along. 

I don't copy ideas from Pinterest.

I LOVE Pinterest and often use it for inspiration for my home design projects, cooking, organizing things, etc. One thing I do not use Pinterest for is photography posing research. One thing I learned about myself over the years it that the more I try to emulate another photography, the less likely I will succeed at producing good work. I am a free-flowing, spontaneous photographer who is most inspired in the moment by what surrounds me- the second I have to stop and look at the something to see how I can copy it, the magic and creativity die. Photography is an art form and a true artist listens to her intuition and trusts her way of seeing the world. 

I’m very chatty. 

If you’re booking a photo session for some quiet and solitude, I can tell you right now that I’m not your girl. After years of doing this and working with hundreds of clients, I have learned that the more chatty and conversational I am during our session, the better the outcome for everyone. Furthermore, my job can be pretty isolating, so photo sessions are actually a chance for me to socialize and I take it! I think it’s important to build a relationship with my clients while I’m working with them.

So there you have it! Five reasons why you probably shouldn't hire me as your photographer. Of course, there are plenty of other great photographers out there who would be happy to take your money in exchange for some posed photos of you and your family at your next big event. But if you're looking for someone who will capture your events in a more natural, candid way...then maybe we can talk business. ;)

Want to book your own photo session with me? It’s never too early to get on my schedule!

Featured Photographer

I love to feature blog posts written by other photographers and this one is super relevant because I have so many pregnant friends in DC looking for an amazing maternity photographer. Melissa Green is a DC maternity (and newborn) photographer who specializes in dreamy, film-like maternity sessions that are absolutely timeless. You can see her beautiful work in this blog post!