Let’s face it. Smartphone cameras are an amazing bit of kit and so, in most circumstances, an amateur who knows nothing about photography can take really good photos. The camera settings, improved sensor technology, and the addition of different lenses means that phones can be used in situations that, only a few years ago, would have challenged even top end professional gear. Not only that, they can produce results that look really good!
So why am I not worried that I’m about to go out of business?
There are two reasons. Firstly, no amount of tech can give you a photographic eye. It can be learned, but it takes more hard work than most people are willing to commit. So, the vast majority of photos taken by amateurs remain just that – amateur, snaps, quick shots taken with no real thought or regard for composition, or the ‘look’ of the image. And that’s one of the things that I’m hired for.
Secondly, and this is the point of this post, is the consistency I bring to photography. Through years or study, practice and knowledge, I know how to light a room, shoot in fast moving conditions, work indoors or outdoors, deal with people, pose them, relax them, etc. One of the most common ways this happens is when I’m asked to shoot lots of headshots for a company. The end result, like in the example I’ve included here, is a collection of portraits that show the individuality of each staff member, but which sit together as a set. The poses, exposure, lighting, background and overall ‘look’ are consistent from the first to last picture. And what’s the benefit of that? Well, if you run a company you want to give those subtle clues to customers that you are professional. If you can show you pay attention to little details, that you care about everything looking consistent and unified, then it send a powerful message. It’s exactly the same thinking as behind everyone wearing a uniform, or having all your vehicles painted the same colour and with the same branding.
Since the end of lockdowns I’ve been visiting numerous companies, replacing those selfies, holiday photos and ‘oh-this-will-do’ phone snaps with well lit, well posed consistent bathes of headshots like you see above. If you’d like to join that list, please drop me a line or call to tell me about your requirements. I’ll be happy to chat about it and give you a quotation.
