Are you finding that your child is growing up too quickly? You are not alone. For many parents, it feels like the years fly past in the blink of an eye and the key milestones in their kid’s life are over in an instant.
One memory that many parents will want to remember is their kid’s birthday party. These parties can act as an annual memento that marks their child growing up, so by capturing these moments with photos, it allows them to remember them for many years to come and lets them look back and see just how their loved one grew.
Of course with the invention of smartphones and the increasing capabilities of these devices, particularly in terms of the camera functionalities, capturing those moments has never been easier. However, how many times have you snapped away before looking back only to find that the picture is blurry, or the lighting is too poor? Whilst camera phone pictures are perfect for capturing those off the cuff moments when you are out and about, when it comes to securing the perfect pictures of big events you should hire the skills of a professional.
There are many benefits to hiring a professional photographer to capture your child’s birthday party, and we have put together our five top tips why you should hire one for your next party…
You can enjoy the moment!
One of the biggest benefits of hiring in a professional photographer is it allows you to focus on what matters most; ensuring your child has the best possible birthday party. If you have ever hosted a party before, you know just how busy you will be. From setting up the next activity to ensuring the food is ready on time, you are often required to be in two places at once.
Having a professional photographer on hand will stop you from needing to quickly capture what you can on your phone. On top of that, you can be in the pictures yourself! Many parents miss out on having pictures with their child as they are often forced to be behind the camera instead of enjoying the moment with their loved ones. A professional photographer can let you become an integral part of the big day and capture you and your child enjoying the festivities.
Having someone there taking pictures for you will also help to reduce the stress you will be under, giving you one less thing to worry about.
Image quality
Probably the most important reason to hire a professional photographer is for the outright quality of the images that you will be able to receive. Whilst modern smartphones now offer fantastic cameras that give high definition images, they are still no match for the sophisticated technology that goes into professional photography.
These cameras are designed to be used in all possible lighting and situations. So whether you are hosting a party in the local village hall, holding a summer BBQ in your back garden or have taken your kids to a local laser quest, the photographer will have the equipment to provide you with beautiful, crisp images that perfectly capture the moment in crystal clear quality.
Alongside having better camera equipment, a professional photographer will also have the additional equipment such as lighting and backdrops to ensure that they are able to capture every possible moment in the perfect light.
They know what they are doing
One of the easiest things to overestimate is just quite what it takes to capture the perfect image. If you have ever tried to capture a large group of people, you will know how frustrating it can be to organise everyone (especially if they are kids!) and get them smiling and facing the right direction. A professional photographer does this for a living and will be able to organise all of your party guests as required, from friends and family to the kids; they will ensure everyone is focused and looking as best as they can.
On top of that, a professional photographer knows exactly what is needed to ensure a moment is perfectly captured. They will have shot every possible party you can imagine so they will truly understand the various angles and styles required to get that memorable picture you will always cherish.
Of course some of the best pictures are those that are not staged, but ones that capture a beautiful and candid moment in time. Hiring a professional photographer means they will be able to wander around the party and shoot away, capturing every possible moment; meaning you will be able to enjoy some stunning candid moments that might have otherwise been completely missed.
No missed opportunities
Having someone on hand throughout the party to capture the event as it unfolds means they will not miss a moment. Hosting a kid’s birthday party can be a very stressful moment and you will be running around ensuring all of your guests are having a great time – which means you will not be able to capture those key moments on your mobile camera.
A professional will take that responsibility away from you. As they would have worked at many parties before, they will be very aware of the moments you want to capture. Whether it is the guests arriving, the party games, blowing out the birthday cake candles or your child opening the presents – they will not miss a thing, meaning you can look back on the entire day and remember everything.
You will also be able to rest easy knowing that you will not have to face an unexpected technical mishap. There is nothing more frustrating than going to capture that perfect, one-off moment only to find your phone camera storage is full or your battery dying before you are able to take it.
Professionally edited
Alongside having the very best camera technology and camera equipment to capture the perfect image, professional photographers will also be able to provide you with a full editing service.
This service is very important, it means they will be able to touch up any photos that might need to be adjusted for lighting, correct any colours and ensure the image is a striking and beautiful as it can be. Whilst this service means you are able to enjoy the best possible pictures, it also saves you a lot of time post-party having to touch up and correct the images you have taken on your phone. After a hectic kid’s birthday party, the last thing you will want to do is go through hundreds of images looking for the perfect moment and then improving the sharpness and composure of the image.
Using a professional means that once the party is over, you can relax and within a few days or weeks those images will be ready for you to enjoy for years to come. Most professional photographers will also give you the option to enjoy them in various formats, from high quality printed versions to online galleries, memory sticks or CDs.
Choosing the right photographer
If you have decided to hire a professional photographer for your child’s birthday party then you are probably wondering how you can ensure you hire the right photographer to capture the day just how you want to.
With so many photographers available, narrowing it down to just one can be a daunting task but the first thing you should do with any individual or agency is read the online reviews. Whilst they might have some on their website, these will only be the ones that they want to show so make sure you use independent review websites to base your opinion on and help you to narrow down your search.
Once you have narrowed your search down to a couple of options, do not be afraid to give each one a call and have a chat with them about the service they offer and what their experience is. You can also use this opportunity to find out if they are insured, what requirements they might have and also the style of images that they take. You should also ask to see a portfolio of their previous work if there is not one on their website already.
Photographing children requires a very different skill to capturing an adult party, so you should ensure that your photographer has some experience in this field and is comfortable doing so – throwing an inexperienced photographer into the middle of 30-strong kid’s party is not the best way to ensure your pictures are the quality you want! Finally, be honest about your budget and make sure they are upfront with their costs and ensure that there are no additional or hidden costs.
Hiring a professional photographer for your kid’s birthday party can not only free your time up and let you enjoy the party but it will also ensure that you are receiving stunning images that will last a lifetime.
