So let's talk about professional photography for a moment and how PROFESSIONAL Photography is different than what we take on our phones?   Or to ask this another way, what makes Professional Photography worth the investment of several hundred to a few thousand dollars? 

• A good professional photographer has received training, likely continues to receive training, and may even be certified by a professional organization.
• A professional photographer will have invested in professional grade equipment and will be knowledgeable in using it. 
• They will have knowledge of lighting, composition, and posing and use this to make you and your overall images look great.  
• They will guide you in your clothing choices, select an appropriate background both in studio or on location, and will present you with options based on information you have provided to them. 
• They will select the best images from your session for you to select from, can provide guidance and show you what a cohesive collection will look like, and provide any refining or refinishing to your final selected images. 
• They will have different print options to offer you and whatever choices you make will be printed professionally on archival paper so you can have confidence that the colors in your finished portraits will be a true representation and that they will last a lifetime.  
• A professional photographer is being commissioned by you, their client, to create commissioned artwork.  Creating and capturing those special moments in your life that are worth preserving - an anniversary, a special birthday, one of life's milestones - birth, one year, starting school, graduating from high school or college, getting married, or you just want a family portrait because you've never had one or its been several years. 
• Lastly, and this is the most important question, is What value do you place on your family and the joy and satisfaction you and your family will have every time they see this family portrait displayed in your home?   That my friend is priceless!  

In my experience, when clients see their finished portraits, without exception, they are thrilled with them.  And I have never had a client say - I regret doing this or making this purchase.  Professional Photography is an Investment - both in your time, the photographer's time and in the end product.  But is it so worth it!   And you will be glad you made the investment - now and each time you view your portraits and relive that moment in time!