Why should you take the time to learn how to take good pictures if photography isn’t your profession and when you can just easily hire someone to do it for you? That thought might have crossed your mind while you’re in the middle of a family affair and you can’t take a single minute to rest and mingle because of your photographing duties. Perhaps you’ve repeatedly wanted to pass the responsibility of taking photos of family reunions, the kids, sporting events, etc. Maybe you haven’t realized it yet, but taking good pictures yourself has a lot of pros. Here are a few reasons that might encourage you and convince you to give photography another shot.
1. Photographs are personal. Only you can interpret the world as you see it.
As each person is unique and different, each of us has a different view of things, a different perspective. Photography is very much about how one wants to capture a certain moment. For example, if you ask your sister to cover your family reunion, she might prefer to focus on the kids. You, on the other hand, might want to capture the many generations of your family. You may go on a trip to the lake with your best friend. While she might be interested to shoot sweeping landscapes with her fancy camera, your attention might have been caught by the kids fishing with their mother. As you can see, different people would choose a different angle of the exact same scene. If you choose to capture the world, know that no one else can do it exactly the way you envisioned it.
2. Photographs record your very own history.
Sure you may be getting tired of the Little League games you have to document and it has become a chore for you. But twenty years from now, the photographs you take will be treasures your kids will look at and will remind them fondly of the glorious moments, their beloved teammates, and the coach who never stopped believing. Your pictures can be all about you too. For example, photos of your house will remind you of the things you valued and your tastes. They say that change is the only constant thing in life. Styles fade, cars change, woods become roads, new buildings are erected, old homes are torn down. Things never stay the same, and the only connection you’ll have to your cherished past are those photographs.
3. Photography sparks creativity.
Give in to your creative side once in a while. It’s so easy to get in the mood for some creative action by simply having your camera in hand and hunting for the perfect part of a scene to capture in your photo. The thing about photography is that you can get crazy with it. Shoot away and let those creative juices flow.
4. Photography is great therapy.
More than extracting your creativity, photography can give you a perspective you might have never realized before. Through the camera lens, you might see a different view of the world and trigger those profound thoughts to come out. So if you’re feeling upset, your camera might be the best antidepressant you’ll have. Go out and see the beauty the world can offer. It’s not so hard unless you close your eyes. Capture the positivity that life can offer, may it be your house, your yard, your city, flowers, animals, you name it. You’ll find how wonderful and beautiful life can be. That will be enough to drive your negative thoughts away.
5. Photography can create friendships.
Amateurs, hobbyists, professionals – they’re all photographers and they have the common love for taking photos. Joining photography clubs will help you meet people with the same interests. Aside from enjoying the good company, you’ll also meet amazing photographers who can teach you a thing or two about taking good pictures. Now that’s something you’ll never get from just reading photography books.
6. Photography is a great way to share your life with others.
Oftentimes, it can be difficult to find the right words to express ourselves. Certain barriers can hinder us from sharing something about our lives. Even with family members, talking with them can be hard sometimes. The good thing about photographs is that you don’t need words to share what is important in your life. You can just simply show them to others and they can get an idea of who you are. You can also share your travel photographs to people interested in that place. Your photographs can even speak for a cause. The photo you took of a soil eroded around a river can be used by environmental groups as a key to save the area. There’s no limit as to how much you can say with your photographs.
7. Photography is a gift you can give to others.
People love personalized gifts. Including photos in your cards or creating a calendar of family photos can make awesome gifts. You can give them to your parents, for example, who already have everything they want and need. Sometimes, all you even have to do is take the picture and the cards and calendars can be done online. You can also extend their use to designing mouse pads, shirts, mugs, postage stamps, and many more.
8. Photography will improve your website and/or blog.
While words and stories attract attention to websites and blogs, it’s also true that they won’t be enough to lock people’s interest in your website for a long time. Graphics are very important in making the page more exciting and interesting. Sure, you can always put somebody else’s work, but using your own images will be easier, more personal, and will reveal so much about you. Never underestimate the power of a good photograph. It may be just the thing your website needs to reach a whole new level.
9. Photography brings compliments.
We have to admit that we all need some sweet words and compliments from time to time. It may not shoot us to fame, but being known as someone who is capable of producing excellent photos can build our self-esteem immensely. Simple words like “Wow! That’s beautiful! Can I get a copy?” or “What’s the secret to taking photographs this good?” are more than enough for us to make the effort worthwhile.
10. Photography is a great way to earn extra cash.
Earning money while doing something you love? Yep, it does seem surreal. But it can happen. If you take good photographs, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to earn some extra income from them. There are a number of ways you can do that. You can take your neighbour’s kid’s high school senior photos, sell your cards on a website, win in a photo contest. The opportunities are endless. If you get that good, you can even have your work published in newspapers and magazines. Even now, you can actually have your photo seen in magazines such as those that pay around $25-50 for cute kid shots. Earning opportunities are just around the corner. It’s up to you to find them.
Photography opens up new opportunities and creates experiences that no other hobby can. Don’t worry if you don’t possess the skills you are aiming to have yet. Practice is the key in photography. Sooner or later you’ll be more confident with your photos and yourself. And with the perks you’ll get from practicing this craft, I don’t see any reason for you not to grab your camera right now and start shooting away.
