Why Are Different Photographers' Picture Styles So Different?

One of the worst things you can do when choosing a photographer is to simply choose one simply out of convenience or price.  While it is sometimes the easiest choice, it isn’t always the wisest one.  Consider the following two examples.

Example 1:  You decide to ask that friend, or friend of a friend, who recently got a new camera and loves taking pictures of everything, to take pictures for you.  Or you decide to ask that relative who has a nice camera, and likes to shoot scenic landscapes and flowers, to take pictures for you.  It seems like a great idea, it’s easy, convenient, and is one less thing you have to worry about.  Later, as asked, that relative or friend shows up with their camera and photographs what you wanted them to photograph.  Everyone had a good time and everything seemed to go very well.  A short time later, they give you the pictures and you can’t wait to see them.  From the moment you asked them about taking pictures for you, you had an expectation that those pictures  would be great and would be exactly what you wanted and were hoping for.  Now that you have them, you’re excited and have high hopes for the pictures you’re about to view.  Then you start looking at the pictures…  To say you’re disappointed would be an understatement.  You’re in total disbelief!  The pictures you received are nothing at all like you had hoped for and expected to get.  You wonder if asking that relative or friend was a big mistake.

Example 2:  You chose a photographer because someone told you about them, or you chose them based on what they are charging you.  It seems like a great idea, they were either recommended or inexpensive, and that’s good enough for you.  Later, the photographer shows up and photographs what you wanted them to photograph.  There was a good rapport and everything seemed to go very well.  A short time later, the photographer gives you the pictures and you can’t wait to see them.  From the moment you chose this photographer, you had great expectations that those pictures would be exactly what you wanted.  Now that you have them, you’re excited and have high expectations for the pictures you’re about to view.  You start looking at the pictures…  You are severely disappointed and dismayed.  The pictures you received are nothing at all like you expected to get.   You wonder how this could have happened since you hired a “professional” photographer which should have assured your happiness. 

So what do you do now?  You went through all that time, effort, and possibly expense, and were totally dissatisfied.  If it was an important, one-time event or occasion, you’re pretty much out of luck, as you generally don’t get a do-over.  If it was something that can be redone, you have that option, but you don’t want to make the same mistake twice.

One of the biggest differences between relatives and friends, as opposed to professional photographers is consistency.  Your relatives and friends may get a few nice shots here and there, but they also get a lot of shots that may honestly, not be that good, especially if they’re not experienced at shooting people and events.  A professional photographer will consistently get nice shots, not by luck, but because of their knowledge and experience.  As a professional photographer gains their knowledge and experience, they develop a style which shows through in their pictures.  This style is a combination of shooting style and editing style.  Both play an important part in defining the photographer’s picture style.  A professional photographer can and will remain fairly consistent in their picture style, regardless of what they’re photographing.  A photographer’s style is subjective to people, meaning, some will like it while others will not.  So, you can’t just go by someone else’s recommendation for a photographer since they may like that photographer’s picture style because you may not.

There are many picture styles and trends in photography that you may have seen.  Below you can see three examples of different picture styles.  First is a light and airy style with low contrast and low color saturation; second is a vivid and bold style with sharp contrast and high color saturation; third is a dark and dramatic style with a lot of shadows and contrast.