The Benefits of Professional Photography

So to put it simple, professional photography has been booming recently. Professional photography has been a game changer in my life and career and for those of you that are wondering if it’s worth it or not, let me share my experience.

I remember just about six years ago when I was graduating high school, it was time for senior pictures! A lot of people got their pictures done in a studio with an executive photography company. Everyone’s pictures looked pretty similar, with only a small variety of poses and backdrops to choose from.

A few of my friends decided to against the grain and use a friend who was a few years older and pursuing photography to take their senior pictures. My friends went to Ault Park, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and with three outfit changes they were able to get so many unique pictures with natural poses and backdrops. The photographer, Hana Hart, could not have done a better job of capturing their emotions and personality through this photoshoot.

These pictures turned out so well that it inspired a bunch of us to avoid the commercial photography company and go with a very talented girl who decided to take the leap of faith and start her own photography company. This was a big deal then, because not many people did photography as a profession. A lot of people just did it as a hobby. To no surprise, Hana now owns her own graphic design, branding, logos, and package design company, Sabik Design. Hana continues to use her photography experience to capture product shots, head shots, travel photography, you name it!

With the rise of social media, having high quality photos couldn’t be more important. As a fashion blogger, I consistently need high quality photos. An amazing outfit means nothing, if it isn’t captured correctly. If you can’t see the outfit details, or the emotion and thought put into creating the outfit, there is no value.

I started my blog with a professional camera, but without a photographer. I started my blog in the summer of 2015 and still didn’t know too many photographers. The quality of my photos was there just by purchasing a fancy camera, but there is so much more to photography than equipment. That’s why tripod photos aren’t the same as a skilled photographer behind the lens.

Cincinnati Professional Photographers

After a year of blogging on my own and having my mom take my pictures, I decided to team up with Mackenzie Frank  (and yes I was definitely scared). I didn’t know I was going to become a “model” by starting a fashion blog, I thought I would be able to hide behind my computer writing blog posts.

Mackenzie was so personable, fun and comforting through the entire shoot. As soon as I met her, I felt at peace and ready to create some great content! Mackenzie was another example of someone who left her full time retail job to pursue what she loved and was passionate about and now she is the top real estate photographer in the city. In addition to real estate, she still continues to do wedding photography and lifestyle shoots.

From that first photoshoot, I’ve been able to team up and work with photographers all over the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. I met Austin Peterson, or @picsbypetey, a few years back as well and he has been my go-to man ever since. Photography is more so his side hustle, but he continues to get better and better and my favorite part of working with him, is that “he gets me”.

I tell him this all of the time, but there is nothing more valuable and special than a photographer who knows exactly what you’re looking for without having to tell them. This is most likely because we have been doing photoshoots together now for at least a year and half so there has been a lot of time to get to know one another and work well as a team.

In addition to Mackenzie and Austin, I also love Annie Ryan Photography for wedding photography and Carrie Lynne Photography for child and family photography (especially for babies, she takes the cutest pictures).

Annie has a very unique and special sense of style when it comes to her photography. Her editing with warm deep tones, while incorporating nature and greenery is the most beautiful combination. You’ll typically see engagement and wedding photos on her website, but even though I am single as can be, I was able to set up a shoot with her in the Over the Rhine, and to no surprise she killed it.

One of my favorite things about having a fashion blog, is capturing moments in my life so clearly. Whether this blog “takes off” and inspires people all over the world, or not, I have been able to capture and document my life. My early to mid twenties has been nothing short of growth, change, and personal development and these photographers have helped me stamp these moments in time through photography.

Carrie Lynne is a local Cincinnati child and family photographer. As a mom, she understands how quickly children grow up and she’s there to do just what I was talking about, capture a moment of time. You’ll never be able to go back in time and capture more baby shots or family photos, so take advantage of her while your kids are young and treasure these moments!

I’ve looked back at some of my first ever blog posts, and yes some are definitely embarrassing, but it is so fun to enjoy the journey of growth and appreciate where you have come from. To this day, I will still post iPhone photos to my instagram, because instagram is meant to be an authentic daily journal. Some of my iPhone shots have even performed better than my professional photoshoots, but when it comes to quality photos that you will cherish forever, I highly suggest going professional.

Hilton Head Photography

I value my photographers and have created great relationships and amazing friendships along the way (that’s my favorite part). My family travels to Hilton Head, South Carolina, every year for spring break. Vacation is a very ideal time to get photos because the scenery is gorgeous, that’s the point of vacation, right?

I was lucky enough to meet up with Allie Nichols Photography last year and complete some fashion photoshoots and a family photoshoot on Hilton Head Island‘s gorgeous beach. Allie is one of the sweetest, and nicest photographers out there. We have now worked together twice and I always look forward to vacation because it is so fun getting to catch up with her on life (she just had her first baby!) while doing what we are both most passionate about.

This boardwalk pictured above is a board walk I’ve walking done every single year on family vacation since I was just five years old. It’s a sidewalk that holds a lot of memories for me because it’s the pathway from the hotel to the beach. I was able to capture it in such a cool and unique way with Allie’s help.

If you guys haven’t ever tried professional photography, I highly recommend it! I mean look at the quality of these photos. And if you don’t know who to reach out to, I suggest starting with the photographers listed above!

Thanks for reading!