6 Reasons Why You Need to Book That Photo Shoot

No one really likes to take photos unless you're a model or social media influencer, but we love to look at photos. With Instagram and Facebook being the go-to for sharing photos, there's more pressure than ever to have the perfect shot of you, your family, and loved ones. We have kind of lost the real reason why we take photos in the first place. While all of those social media platforms are fun to post on, it should not be the reason why we take photos. What if those platforms shut down tomorrow? What if Instagram sold your photos, because frankly, they own them once you post them? The truth of the matter is, we 've gotten away from the original purpose of photos. And it's contributing to the stigma around booking photoshoots. Why book a photographer when your iphone can take an amazing portrait mode photos for free? Well here's 5 reasons why you need to book that photo shoot!

Reason #1- Give your photos value.

When your house is burning down most people don't run for the television, or their favorite curling iron. They're grabbing the pictures, and important sentimental items (and of course some emergency items). But the pictures! Those are items that most of the time can not be duplicated or replicated. Those wedding photos of your grandparents, definitely not something you can redo. Those maternity photos of you with your first baby, nope. Gone. If you're lucky, the photographer that took the photos MIGHT still have them archived, but most photographers don't hold on to pictures forever.

So maybe you're thinking, why would I take photos, or let alone print them out if I can have them all in one location on my hard drive? Well, for the same reasons. It isn't sentimental to have a hard drive full of photos that no one can see, but you. If that hard drive fails, you're screwed! The whole point of photos is to enjoy them! To look back on them and share with people when they visit, to pass down to our children for generations. What is the point of spending hundreds of dollars on photos for them to sit on your hard drive?! Or for a few likes on your Facebook?! They receive their value when you print them, frame, them, and hang them up in a place in your home. Give your pictures a home!

Reason #2 - People want to see the current "you."

We get so caught up on how we look, and tell ourselves we aren't our optimal selves so we will book it later. "Just need to lose 10 lbs. and we will be all good". Or "I need to get my hair done", or "I'm so pale, and need to get a tan", or the ever popular, " I don't have the right outfit and need to go shopping!" The list goes on and on, am I right? The truth is, people want to see what you look like right now! They won't know that you got a tan, or Botox, or that you went darker with your hair, or that your outfit is new. Only you will! If you need a new dress to make yourself feel great, then borrow one from a friend! If you feel like you need to lose a few pounds, it doesn't matter, those "extra 10 lbs. won't show", and your photographer will make sure you look amazing! If it matters that much to you, book the shoot a few months out then and give yourself motivation to work out for those few months. You will look amazing no matter what! Your photographer's job is to make you look like the best version of yourself, and connect with you to bring out the best smiles and emotion. People want to see that! They don't care about your new Anthropologie sweater.

Reason #3 - It's not about you.

Every holiday season there is this nagging reminder we need to do photos for the annual family holiday card. And every year, the father's in the family are SO not into it! Dads! This tip is for you! The pictures are not for your wife, or your friends, it's for your children, and your future children's children! It's for generations after you and generations before you! It's for your grandmother, your aunts and uncles, that love to see how you've grown up! It's not fun for you to get dressed up or pose, I get it. That goes back to my original opening statement that no one really likes their photos taken. We are not taking a photo. We are making a photo. So make it a good one by hopping on board and making the best of it. If it's really pure torture for you, book a mini session (15-30 minutes), or find a photographer that is more your style. Don't settle for whatever photographer you found through a Groupon deal (side note: don't book a photographer through Groupon), or someone your sister used. Make sure you like your photographer and how they capture families. No two photographers are alike.

Reason #4- It will be fun!

With that said, it will be fun! And if you're not having fun, you picked the wrong photographer for you. Taking pictures with someone who knows what they're doing and how to pose you, or direct you to bring out the best in you should be so much fun! Playing with your kids, or dancing around with your partner are fun things except now you have your own personal paparazzi to capture the true smiles, and emotion you have with each other. Do your research when it comes to booking your photographer and make sure their style matches your vision.

Reason #5 - Your phone can't do it all.

Yes, technology is insanely advanced, and the portrait mode on your iphone is amazing! But I'm sorry to say, it can't do it all. First of all, you can't get a satisfactory print enlargement, from your phone pictures, and the fact that you're busy taking the pictures doesn't allow for you to be in them. Sure you could recruit some random stranger walking by to snap a shot, but that's boring! Then everyone ends up just staring at the camera and saying "cheese!" and that's if you're lucky enough to get everyone looking! Like I said, boring! Get a professional to take your pictures. It's that easy. There are so many photographers out there for every budget. You will be able to tell the difference. Trust me.

Reason #6 - We don't have forever.

OK 'bout to get really corny here, but it's the biggest and most important reason you need to book that photo shoot.... you ready? It's a doozy....

Life is short AF! You do not need me to tell you that. Make the appointment to do the shoot. You won't regret it! Photos are a way for us to capture the moments we want to hold on forever. Your kids are getting bigger, not smaller. Your parents are getting older, not younger. Or maybe you want to do a maternity shoot, and maybe this is your last baby. We can't get a "re-do" on life. We don't have forever to book a photo shoot together, but if we do, the photos are forever! And that's pretty amazing when you think about it.