You only get one chance....

...to capture that special moment in the lives of your family.  Whether it's a wedding, a newborn baby, or high school graduation portraits, it's important to get them right the first time. This is why it is so important to have these moments documented by a professional photographer, someone who has the knowledge and will take the time to get your images done right the first time.

I know that many people are on a budget, especially with the way the economy has been.  You may be tempted to go with someone who happens to have a camera, just because they are cheap.  At this point you have to look at their work, and decide for yourself if it's worth the risk of losing a once-in-a-lifetime moment. If you're going to look at those images years from now and wonder what you were thinking when you had them done.

I've had people tell me that they love my work and want to book with me, but that I'm too expensive for them.  While my pricing is about average for professionals in my area, and I offer payment plans, I hear this more than I care to admit. People wonder why professionals charge what they do....I did a blog piece on this last year that you can read here.  I won't rehash that post, but basically it has to do with time, knowledge & experience, gear maintenance, business expenses and more. Not to mention, photographers need to be able to provide for their families as well.  :)

If you are looking to have portraits done, trust a professional to capture your memories.  If you have one in mind, go to their website and/or Facebook page. Look at their work, see what their clients have to say.  Ask yourself if their style is what you like, and if images they may do for you would be something you would be proud to display years down the road.  If you want to ask about booking with a particular photographer, call them up and ask questions!  If cost is an issue, ask about payment plans....many photographers, like myself, do offer them and will be willing to work out a payment schedule with you so that you can order what you want.  We understand that money can be an issue, but don't let it be THE issue...don't shop on price alone! What good is saving a few dollars if you end up regretting your decision and not loving the images that you get? Or worse, having to spend more money with another photographer to try to capture a moment that has already passed?