Taking photographs of your family has never been easier. Most of us carry a camera around with us every day in the form of a smartphone, and modern phones can take some genuinely impressive photographs.
So, is it really worth paying for professional family portrait photography in Exmouth when you can simply take your own photographs?
In my experience as a professional family photographer, there is a big difference between taking a quick photograph on your phone and having a professionally planned and photographed family portrait session.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take photographs yourself. Quite the opposite. Phone photographs are brilliant for everyday memories, holidays, days out and those little moments you want to remember.
Professional family photography is different. It is about creating photographs that you can look back at years later, print, frame and display in your home.
What Is the Difference Between Professional and DIY Family Photography?
One of the biggest differences is simply the overall quality of the photographs.
A phone is convenient, but there are limitations. Lighting can often be difficult, particularly outdoors in bright sunlight or in darker conditions. Features may not look as crisp as you would like, and the overall image can sometimes lack the depth and quality you get from professional camera equipment.
When you put a photograph taken on a phone next to one taken with professional equipment, edited by a professional photographer, you can often see the difference immediately.
It isn’t necessarily one single thing that makes the professional photograph better. It is lots of smaller things coming together.
The lighting, composition, lens choice, background, timing, positioning and editing all contribute to the final photograph.
As a professional family photographer in Exmouth, I also have access to different lenses and professional camera equipment that simply aren’t available when you’re relying on a phone.
Professional Equipment Makes a Difference
Having a professional camera doesn’t automatically make someone a good photographer, but the equipment does give you much more control.
Depending on the session, I might use different lenses to create different looks. We might photograph outdoors at somewhere such as Exmouth Beach or another suitable location, or we might use a studio environment where we have more control over the lighting and background.
That flexibility is important.
If we’re photographing a family outdoors, I’m thinking about the available light, the background, where the family looks best and how I can make the surroundings work with the photograph.
With a phone, you’re often just pointing it at something and taking the picture.
There’s nothing wrong with that for everyday photographs, but professional family portrait photography is about putting more thought into the image before pressing the shutter.
It’s Not Just About the Camera
One thing I think is sometimes overlooked when comparing professional photography with DIY photography is that the photographer isn’t just there to operate a camera.
A professional family photography session gives you time.
When someone takes a quick photograph on their phone, it might be something like, “Come on, smile for the camera.”
That can produce a photograph, but it doesn’t necessarily capture the personality of the family.
During a professional session, I have much longer to observe what is happening and wait for those genuine expressions.
Children can play with toys or props, explore their surroundings, interact with their parents or simply take some time to become comfortable with me.
Those moments can produce much more natural photographs.
Natural Family Portraits Rather Than Forced Smiles
I don’t believe every family photograph needs to show everyone looking directly at the camera with a big smile.
Children have different personalities. Some are naturally very smiley and outgoing, while others can be quieter, more curious or more serious.
That’s completely normal.
If a child is interested in something, I would much rather photograph that genuine curiosity than constantly tell them to smile.
Sometimes the best photograph might be a child looking at something, playing with a toy, interacting with their parents or simply showing their own personality.
You might even get a grumpy expression.
That’s part of childhood too.
Rather than becoming frustrated because a child isn’t giving you the expression you expected, I think it’s better to embrace their personality and work with it.
Choosing the Right Location for Family Photography
Location can make a huge difference to a family portrait session.
One of the advantages of working with a professional family photographer in Exmouth is that we can consider what sort of environment will work best for your family.
That could be a beach, a garden, a park, another outdoor location or a studio session.
Places such as Exmouth Beach can provide a completely different look from a studio, while an outdoor location can give children more space to move around and explore.
Sometimes I may also use several areas during a session rather than keeping everyone in exactly the same place.
The location should work for the family rather than the family having to fit into a rigid idea of what a photograph should look like.
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What Happens If Your Children Are Shy?
This is something parents often worry about before booking family photography.
I’ve photographed children who were very shy at the beginning of a session and didn’t really want to have their photographs taken.
One example was a family with a boy and a girl, aged around four and five. They were very nervous when we started and stayed close to their parents.
Rather than rushing them into photographs, I gave them time.
We gradually built a bond with them. They were shown toys and given things to play with, and over time they became much more comfortable around me.
Eventually, they opened up and became much more energetic.
By allowing them to settle in at their own pace, we were able to complete the session and produce photographs that the family were very happy with.
That’s something you can’t necessarily achieve by simply getting everyone together for thirty seconds and saying, “Smile.”
Patience Is a Big Part of Family Photography
Another family I photographed had children who were extremely energetic and quite loud when we started the session.
It was a beach session, and rather than getting frustrated with them, I gave them some time.
I asked them nicely a couple of times, allowed them to settle down and worked around their energy.
Eventually they calmed down enough for us to capture some lovely photographs.
This is one of the reasons I don’t think parents should worry about whether their children will “behave” during a professional family photography session.
Children aren’t robots.
They can be shy, energetic, distracted, excited, tired or simply not interested in having their photograph taken at that exact moment.
My job is to work with that rather than expect every child to behave perfectly from the first photograph to the last.
Why Professional Family Photography Takes Time
A professional family portrait session isn’t simply about turning up, taking ten photographs and going home.
There is time involved in getting everyone comfortable, choosing suitable locations, finding good light, watching what the children are doing and waiting for the right moments.
Sometimes we might stop for a few minutes if a child is feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable.
Then we can come back to it.
Parents can reassure their children, children can have some time to relax, and we can continue when everyone is ready.
That patience can make a huge difference to the final photographs.
When DIY Family Photography Is Perfectly Fine
I don’t think professional photography needs to replace your phone camera.
There are plenty of situations where taking your own photographs is exactly what you should do.
If you’re on holiday, having a day out or simply want to remember something that happened, take the photograph.
Those little snapshots can be brilliant memories.
You might look back at them a few months later and immediately remember where you were, what you were doing and what a great day you had.
Your phone is also perfect for those spontaneous moments that happen when you aren’t expecting them.
You don’t need a professional photographer following your family around every day.
When Is Professional Family Photography Worth It?
For me, the difference comes down to what you want the photographs for.
If you simply want a few photographs to remind you of something that happened, DIY photography is absolutely fine.
But if you want photographs that you can still look at in ten years’ time and remember exactly how your children looked and what that period of your life was like, professional family photography becomes much more worthwhile.
These are the photographs that can be printed, framed and put on the wall.
They become something you see every day rather than another hundred photographs sitting on your phone.
Children grow incredibly quickly.
One of the things I like about family portrait photography is that it gives you a chance to stop for a moment and properly capture that stage of your family’s life.
Examples of some Family Photographs
Professional Family Photography in Exmouth Is About More Than a Photograph
When you book a professional family photographer in Exmouth, you’re not just paying for someone to press a button on a camera.
You’re paying for their experience, equipment, time, editing, knowledge of lighting, ability to work with children and ability to create photographs that look and feel professional.
You’re also paying for the opportunity to have photographs created specifically for your family.
The aim isn’t to make every photograph look identical or overly posed.
It’s about creating a collection of photographs that actually reminds you of your family.
Making Family Photography Comfortable for Children
If you’re worried that your child won’t smile, won’t sit still or won’t cooperate, don’t worry.
I’ve heard parents say things like, “My children don’t behave very well,” or “They won’t sit still for photographs.”
My answer is always the same: don’t worry about it.
Bring them along and we’ll work something out.
I can use toys and props where appropriate, change the environment, give them time to settle and look for natural expressions rather than forcing them into a particular pose.
A child doesn’t have to spend the entire session smiling at the camera.
They can be curious.
They can be playful.
They can be serious.
They can even pull a grumpy face.
Those expressions are part of who they are.
Why I Prefer Natural Family Portraits
For me, the best family portraits aren’t necessarily the ones where everyone is perfectly positioned and looking directly into the camera.
I like photographs that feel natural.
I want you to be able to look at the photograph years later and recognise your child immediately.
Maybe it’s the way they were always curious about everything.
Maybe it’s the way they played.
Maybe it’s the expression they always made when they were concentrating.
Those little details are what make a family photograph personal.
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Family Portrait Photography in Exmouth and Exeter
If you’re looking for family portrait photography in Exmouth, Exeter or the surrounding areas, I think it’s worth considering what you actually want from your photographs before deciding between DIY and professional photography.
For everyday memories, keep using your phone.
Take lots of photographs. Capture the silly moments, the holidays, the days out and everything in between.
But every so often, consider having a professional family portrait session.
You don’t need to do it every month or even every year.
It could simply be an opportunity to capture your family at a particular stage of life and create photographs that will still mean something to you years from now.
For me, that’s where professional family photography really has its value.
It’s not about saying that phone photographs aren’t good enough.
It’s about recognising that there is a difference between documenting a moment and deliberately creating a photograph that you will want to keep for a lifetime.
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Family Portrait Photography Exmouth FAQs
Is professional family photography better than taking photographs on a phone?
For everyday photographs, a phone is perfectly good. Professional photography offers better control over lighting, equipment, composition, editing and the overall finished image.
Is family photography in Exmouth suitable for shy children?
Yes. Shy children often need more time to become comfortable. I don’t believe in rushing them, and I can use toys, props and natural interaction to help them relax.
What if my children won’t smile during a family photography session?
That’s completely fine. A photograph doesn’t have to include a big smile to be a great family portrait. Natural expressions, curiosity and even serious expressions can create meaningful photographs.
How long does a professional family portrait session take?
The important thing is having enough time to work with the family rather than rushing through photographs. Children sometimes need time to settle, so allowing the session to progress naturally can produce better results.
Where can you have family portraits taken in Exmouth?
Family portraits can be taken in a range of locations, including suitable outdoor locations such as the beach, gardens and other areas, as well as studio environments depending on the style of photographs you want.
Why should I hire a family photographer instead of doing it myself?
A professional photographer brings experience, professional equipment, knowledge of lighting and composition, editing skills and experience working with families and children.
Are professional family portraits worth the money?
I believe they are when you want photographs that will last for many years. You aren’t likely to have a professional family session every month, so it can be a worthwhile investment in memories that you can print and display.
Can family photographs look natural rather than posed?
Yes. I prefer to give families time to interact naturally rather than forcing every photograph into a traditional pose. Toys, props, movement and conversation can all help create natural family portraits.
What should I do if my child is energetic during the session?
Don’t panic. Children don’t have to sit perfectly still throughout the session. Giving them time and allowing them to settle can make a big difference, and the session can be adapted around their personality.
Is professional family photography available around Exeter as well as Exmouth?
Yes. Family photography can be considered across Exmouth, Exeter and surrounding areas, with the choice of location depending on the family, the children and the style of photographs you want.
Final Thoughts on Professional vs DIY Family Photography
DIY photography definitely has its place.
Keep taking those everyday photographs. They are important, and some of the most meaningful memories can come from completely unplanned moments.
But professional family portrait photography gives you something different.
It gives you the time, equipment, experience and patience to create photographs that are more than just snapshots.
For me, the real value is being able to look at those photographs ten years from now and remember your children exactly as they were at that moment.
They grow up incredibly quickly.
Having professional family portraits on the wall means you don’t just have those memories stored somewhere on your phone. You have something physical that you can see every day and continue to enjoy for years to come.
That is what I believe makes professional family photography in Exmouth and Exeter worth considering.
