Photography: Professional vs. DIY

Digital cameras have revolutionised the world of photography.  Once upon a time, most businesses would never have considered trying to take their own photos.  Commercial photographers were hired to get product shots for brochures, flyers and advertisements.  Now days, many businesses have their own digital cameras and contemplate taking their own promotional pictures.

The question is: when should you use a professional photographer, versus taking your own promotional pictures? In part, this can be answered by budget restraints and internal human resources skills and capabilities.  However, you also need to consider the finished product and presentation of your business when making this decision.

Professional photographers take and supply professional quality images.  They are trained to get the right ‘look’, have experience at taking commercial images with market appeal, can maximise colour and presentation and will provide high resolution files that can be enlarged and used on signage and billboards.  You are paying for their expertise, to ensure you get the best pictures for your product.

If you are preparing a brochure, website or advertising campaign, then it is strongly recommended that you use a professional photographer.

So, when do you take your own photos and what can you use them for?  Unless you are professional photographer yourself, or have one on staff, you should really limit the use of your own images.  A bad image reflects on your organisation.

The best use of your own digital camera photos is social media (Facebook), e-newsletters and to a lesser extent flyers.  With these applications, consumers have different visual expectations and are comfortable seeing more ‘relaxed’ and candid photographs.

Also, if you are planning to hire a commercial photographer to take a particular shot, then it is a good idea to try and take the shot yourself first with your own digital camera.  This will give you an idea of how much you can fit into the frame and what the finished picture will look like.  Sometimes what you think will make a great picture, does not turn out how you imagine.

In summation, if you want to present your business and product in its best possible light, then it does pay to invest in a professional commercial photographer.