5 reasons to hire a lifestyle photographer this year.

When we all have phones that can take pretty good images why even bother having a family shoot at all? Why spend the money and the time on something you can do yourself?

Have you asked that question yourself, I don’t blame you if you have, the points are all valid. We have the incredible ability to be able to document our family all day everyday big and little moments on the go with our phones. We get to capture them playing, having fun, learning, laughing with their family and friends. We get to document their adventures. It’s incredible – can you image how many more memories we would have to keep if we had have had that growing up.

So, back to the question above, why even bother hiring a photographer?  Let’s be honest its a luxury and booking a shoot is something special. Here are my personal reasons on why hiring someone is worth its weight in gold from my own experience of having them from maternity through to toddlers. In fact one of my biggest regrets is not having a maternity shoot with my 2nd.

1. Things that happen are organically captured.

There is no need to rerun. Family sessions are stress free and should stay that way. It’s documenting the beauty of the everyday seen through someone else’s eyes.You get to be involved in a fluid way, not stopping and starting to hit the countdown button. Not asking the kids to do something again because someone had their eyes shut  or missing that moment when they jump into your arms – you know how it  goes.

2. YOU are in the frame.

No more hiding behind the lens curating the scene. You are in it in real time letting someone else do all the hard work. Do you think that your children will say in years to come ‘your roots weren’t touched up?’  Or  ‘you were carrying a few more lb’s than you wanted’ or ‘Look how tidy the house was’. Or do you think they’ll say ‘ I didn’t know mum taught me how to ride bike’ or ‘ I used to love it when we read that book.’

3. It removes a layer of stress

Kid’s don’t like too many rules, especially at a shoot. It dampens the fun. The aim of the game is to be  able to get the best out of your children without saying cheese. Natural and organic is the way to go. Kids are always about playing, having fun is their everyday goal and why shouldn’t it be. Having someone there to document those natural moments is what it’s all about.

4.The quality of images and editing is another level

You will be so more inclined to get them printed on your walls to keep. In fact doing this has benefits for both parent and child. Professor Geoff Beattie, Head of School and Dean of Psychological Sciences at the University of Manchester, says that ‘ Photography in the home makes children feel valued and gives them a rich understanding of where they come from. Children whose parents display family photographs in the home grow up with greater confidence and sense of belonging than those who don’t. By displaying photographs of our children at different stages of their lives, we are making a very public statement that we are proud of them‘.

5. You get to be seen from a different perspective. 

You may not feel particularly creative but there so many things that happen in your day to day life that come become so normal we forget the beauty of them. Everyday life can easily become some of your most favourite pictures and the things that matter the most to you.

Your babies grow up fast, I feel it myself with mine. We don’t get any second chances at motherhood, at being in these moments. Childhood is fast, and having someone show you what life was like at that time is the gift that will keep giving. In fact, its like a fine wine, they get better with age and I know that in years to come the pictures that of I have of me with my children will  be the possessions I am the most in love with.

You can see more of my lifestyle photographer here.