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 11/5/2024

Behind the Lens: A Day in the Life of a Professional Photographer

Photography is often romanticized as a glamorous job where you get to capture beautiful moments, explore interesting places, and work with amazing people. While it’s true that being a professional photographer allows for a great deal of creativity and adventure, there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than many people realize. In this blog post, I’m taking you behind the lens to show you what a typical day looks like for me as a professional photographer.

The Morning: Preparing for a Shoot

The day usually starts early — often before the sun is up — especially if I’m heading out for a morning photoshoot. Whether it's a wedding, family portrait session, or corporate event, preparation is key to a smooth day. Here's what the morning looks like for me:

Check the Schedule: The first thing I do is take a look at my calendar to ensure I’m clear on the day’s events. This includes confirming shoot times, locations, and any special instructions or details from the client. It's also a good time to review any contracts or final details, ensuring I'm fully prepared.

Pack the Gear: This is the most crucial part of the morning routine. I go over my gear checklist to make sure I have everything I need: cameras, lenses, flashes, batteries, memory cards, light stands, reflectors, and backup equipment. Being a photographer means being prepared for anything, so I always double-check my equipment to avoid surprises on set.

Prep for the Unexpected: Sometimes, I pack extra items like a portable chair, water, snacks, or a change of clothes — particularly for long shoots or weddings. These little things can make a big difference on the day of the shoot.

Review the Shot List: If I’m doing a wedding, event, or commercial shoot, I’ll review any shot lists or specific client requests. Understanding the vision and expectations helps me deliver photos that exceed their expectations.

Mid-Morning to Afternoon: Capturing the Magic

Once I arrive at the shoot location, the real fun begins! The next few hours are a mix of technical precision, creative energy, and building rapport with my subjects.

Setting Up: Depending on the type of shoot, setting up the location can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. For portrait sessions, I may only need one or two light sources and minimal setup. For weddings, corporate events, or large family shoots, I might need several light setups, backdrops, and detailed positioning.

Getting to Know the Clients: If I haven’t already met with my clients before the shoot, I’ll take some time to chat with them. It's important to establish a relationship with the people I’m photographing. I want them to feel comfortable, confident, and relaxed, which helps me capture natural, authentic moments. A good photographer isn't just technical — they’re also a people person.

Photography in Action: The actual shoot is a blend of technical skill and artistic intuition. Whether I’m working with natural light or using studio lighting, I have to be aware of every detail: lighting, composition, angles, and how my subjects are positioned. In portrait photography, it’s all about making sure the subject looks their best while bringing out their personality through the lens.

For events, it's a mix of candid moments and carefully timed shots. Wedding photography, in particular, requires a lot of attention to detail — capturing every moment, from the bride walking down the aisle to the first dance, and ensuring the lighting and framing are just right.

Problem Solving: Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s an unexpected change in the weather, a lighting issue, or a last-minute schedule change, being a photographer means adapting quickly and staying calm under pressure. Over the years, I’ve learned how to troubleshoot on the fly to ensure the shoot stays on track.

Engaging with Clients: Throughout the shoot, I communicate with my clients, giving them direction and feedback to help them feel at ease. For portraits, I might guide them through different poses, or for weddings, I’m ready to capture those fleeting moments, sometimes without them even realizing it. Every click of the shutter is an opportunity to create something unique.

Late Afternoon: Editing and Post-Production

After a shoot is done, the work doesn’t stop. In fact, the post-production process is where much of the magic happens. Editing is an essential part of the photography process, and it can take several hours — sometimes even days — depending on the scope of the shoot.

Backing Up Files: The first step is always to back up my photos to multiple hard drives and cloud storage. This is crucial to ensure I don’t lose any precious images.

Sorting and Selecting: Next, I go through all the photos from the shoot and begin the selection process. Not every shot makes the cut, so I have to carefully review each image and choose the best ones. This is a time-consuming process, but it’s also one of my favorite parts of the job, as I get to relive the best moments of the day.

Editing: Using editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, I enhance the photos. This includes adjusting exposure, colors, cropping, and retouching. I make sure each image is polished while maintaining its natural look. This step is important because it’s where I fine-tune the visual story of the shoot.

Delivering the Photos: Once the editing is complete, I prepare the final images for delivery. For portrait sessions, I may create a custom online gallery where clients can view and download their images. For weddings or events, I create a beautiful presentation — sometimes including albums or framed prints — to deliver the photos to my clients in a way that’s meaningful and memorable.

Evening: Client Communication and Administrative Work

After a busy day of shooting and editing, I wrap up my work with some essential administrative tasks and client communication.

Client Follow-Up: I send out emails to clients thanking them for the shoot and asking for feedback on the images. This is also a good time to inquire about their experience and to encourage them to share their photos on social media (tagging me, of course!).

Marketing and Business Development: I spend some time working on the business side of things — updating my portfolio, blogging about recent shoots, or engaging with potential clients on social media. This helps keep my brand fresh and top-of-mind for prospective clients.

Preparing for Tomorrow: Finally, I check my calendar to make sure everything is lined up for the next day’s shoot. I pack my gear, making any necessary adjustments or additions, and get a good night’s rest for the next day of capturing moments.

The Final Word

Being a professional photographer is about more than just knowing how to use a camera — it’s about creativity, problem-solving, technical skill, and, most importantly, building strong connections with clients. While every day is a little different, the work is always rewarding, whether I’m capturing a the perfect sports shot showing the drive of an athlete, or capturing a families most cherished memories.

If you’re ever curious about what goes on behind the scenes of a photoshoot or want to book a session for your own special occasion, I’m always here to chat and capture the moments that matter most to you.

Feel free to leave any questions or thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow me on social media for more behind-the-scenes peeks and photography tips!

  

7/14/24     

Benefits of using a professional photographer for sporting events

 

Using a professional photographer for sports photography offers numerous benefits, including:

  1. High-Quality Images:

    • Professional photographers have advanced equipment and technical skills to capture high-resolution, sharp images that are vibrant and well-composed.

  2. Expertise and Experience:

    • They understand the dynamics of sports and know the best angles, timing, and techniques to capture key moments, action shots, and emotions effectively.

  3. Post-Processing Skills:

    • Professionals have the skills to enhance images through editing software, ensuring the final photos are polished and visually appealing.

  4. Consistency:

    • Professional photographers consistently produce high-quality images, maintaining a standard that may be difficult for amateurs to achieve.

  5. Access to Professional Equipment:

    • They use specialized equipment like fast lenses and high-speed cameras that are essential for capturing quick movements and low-light situations.

  6. Understanding of Sports:

    • Experienced sports photographers are familiar with the rules and flow of the game, allowing them to anticipate and capture critical moments.

  7. Professionalism:

    • They are reliable, punctual, and committed to delivering excellent results, ensuring a hassle-free experience for clients.

  8. Creative Vision:

    • Professionals bring a creative eye to their work, often capturing unique and memorable shots that stand out.

  9. Network and Resources:

    • They often have connections in the industry, which can provide additional opportunities for exposure and collaboration.

  10. Safety and Respect:

    • They know how to position themselves safely without disrupting the game or the players, ensuring a smooth and respectful process.

These benefits highlight why investing in a professional sports photographer can significantly enhance the quality and impact of sports imagery.

 

CONTACT US: for questions,  or to reserve a photography session.