There are two types of photographers. Okay, there are many, but they fall into one of these two camps: those with a studio and those without a studio.
“But the great outdoors is my studio!” the studio-free photographers may tell you. “It has the best backdrops and the best lighting! We don’t need an indoor space when we have all this!”
Sure: it’s fun to shoot outside…until the bugs start biting or the sun goes undercover. There are some major advantages to working with a photographer who has his or her own portrait studio.
Climate Control
We can plan every detail of your photo shoot, but if it’s outside, there’s one thing we have no control over: the weather. Mother Nature has dozens of ways to ruin your perfect hair, make-up, and outfits:
- Gusts of Wind: For that “Oops, my skirt!” moment or that “I stuck my finger in an outlet” hairstyle choice. It’s what you were going for, right?
- High Temperatures: But then again, maybe the beads of sweat running down your face and the wet spots on your neckline won’t show up in the photos. Hmm.
- Low Temperatures: Is it possible to shiver hard enough that you look blurry in a photo? I’d rather not find out.
- Lightning: This has nothing to do with photo aesthetics, it’s just downright dangerous and photo shoot cancellation-worthy. There goes the day you spent several weeks planning for.
- Rain: Ah, the classic.
Precise Lighting
There’s a lot of talk about the “golden hour,” that magical part of the day that provides the ideal lighting for outdoor photos. Unfortunately, it’s short-lived: you’ve got to act quickly, and there are a variety of factors that could influence it, anyway (like cloud cover or nearby shadow-makers).
Meanwhile, inside the studio, we can do exactly as we please with the lighting. A professional photographer is a lighting expert, and we can make sure we photograph you in your best light. Literally.
Distraction Free!
Car horns, other people in the background, and mosquitoes can all put a real damper on an outdoor photo shoot.
The studio setting eliminates all of that. We don’t have to wait for anyone to pass by, I don’t have to yell posing ideas and instructions over the sounds of the street, and I have a strict No Mosquitoes, Flies, or Other Annoying Bugs policy. Not only does swatting at bugs limit the opportunities we have to get great photos, you’re also left with the itchy or painful aftermath for days.
Comfort First
Too warm? Too cold? Let me just adjust the thermostat. It’s that easy! We can also play music that helps create the feel you want to see in your photos. It’s easy to touch-up your hair or make-up. We can keep snacks and water on hand, it’s easy to change clothes if you want to (no ducking behind a tree and hoping for the best), and the bathroom is never far away, which is especially important for those family photo shoots. The studio setting offers the greatest potential for ease and comfort, and when you’re comfortable, you take better photos. It’s that simple.
You Know the Photographer Means Business
It’s like this: There are a great many photographers who don’t have a studio. Some of these pros are at the top of their game.
Others are not.
Having a studio is one indication that photography is more than just a hobby for the photographer. A studio requires an investment and a commitment that photography-as-a-hobby photographers generally aren’t willing to make.
That doesn’t mean they’re not good photographers, but you should take a little extra care in browsing through their portfolio and inquiring about their experience and equipment. After all, if you’re spending the time and money for professional photographs, you want to be happy with the results.
I’d love to invite you to the climate-controlled, well-lit, bug-free comfort of my studio for your next photo shoot. Let’s capture the beautiful photos you really want. Click here to contact me now.