Professional Photography Practices continued

In yesterdays blog we discussed how everyone appears to be grabbing a camera and calling themselves a photographer, so some people rightly ask why to use a professional? So as you sit there reading this, you are probably asking your self this very same question, right? In this article, I will be going through a shortlist of some more of the points of difference between a professional photographer and a talented enthusiast. As I mentioned in yesterdays article, probably in this age of photography amateurs, enthusiasts and can take some excellent images. So where to from here you ask? Well, After many years as an avid enthusiast using film before professional studies in photo imaging I have come to realize some big differences between a pro and an enthusiast. Don't get me wrong, enthusiasts love their camera and can create an amazing image. Some of them win awards and are excellent at what they do. So what does make a pro photographer then? Is it just that they make money from what they do? Well yes and no. Yes, because a pro photographer should be making money from what they do as in any other industry. So next time you see someone advertising an ultra-cheap wedding photography service, you should probably be asking a lot of questions about their skill level, gear and expertise. Also at the same, it's not about whether they make money as anyone can claim to be a professional. Here is a list of some of the questions I would ask if I were to be choosing a wedding photographer. 1. What is your training background and experience? Like any tool, training teaches you more efficient ways of using your camera gear and how to get the best out of your gear. 2. What gear do you use? A photographer turning up to a wedding with an entry-level camera just won't cut it. You need to ensure they are adequately prepared, plenty of memory cards, back up cameras etc. 3. When was the last time you cleaned your camera sensors and lenses? A small thing but very important to capture a clear sharp image. 4. Examples of work?. A great way to get to know a photographers style is through their work. Do they print their work or only shoot and burn? So here's the big thing. If you are after a professional photographer you need to evaluate each photographer based on their skills. What you need is a professional photographer who is professionally trained. Thanks for reading. Till next time.