Everyone's a Photographer

Between smartphones and credit-card-thin pocket cameras, it seems more true than ever that "everyone's a photographer." What, then, is the purpose of a professional photographer at your wedding?

There are several reasons why you should trust your once-in-a-lifetime celebration to a trusted and experienced picture-taker. It's better for your cherished memories--and your guests!




Advances in digital camera technology have enabled more people than ever to take impressive photographs! Does that mean your wedding will be sufficiently covered just by guests' personal gadgets?

Despite what smartphones and everyday cameras can do nowadays, what sets fantastic pictures apart is still the human element. Ansel Adams, one of the world's most famous photographers, said, "The most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!"

They may someday create an app that mimics the photographer's creative eye for composition, depth, and color. But for now, the practiced photographer is still the only source. Being experienced in shooting weddings, I also know when the most special moments are coming, and am constantly thinking and preparing to capture them. Will an Instagramming guest get a great picture of the father of the bride giving her away? Probably not.

The difference is in the equipment, too. The camera I use and all the big lenses that go with it aren't for show. These tools allow me to capture the beauty that my eye sees, to zero the focus on the center of the moment, and to leave everything else in the background. Many of the aspects of my best photos simply can't be duplicated with a smartphone or personal camera.

Beyond this, guest photography during your wedding celebration can be a distraction both for you and your guests. A lot of brides are starting to have "no photo" ceremonies. Guests are kindly requested to leave their smartphones and cameras off, and allow the hired photographer to capture the wedding. This can make your ceremony much more enjoyable for all your guests, who won't be distracted by constant flashes from every direction, or a forest of mini-screens popping up to block their view of each moment.

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and other than your new spouse, the pictures are the only part of it that you take with you. Having a trusted photographer with an artistic eye is an investment that will pay off in all the years to come!

For more information, please visit my website, PhilipMichaelPhotography.com.