Why Would you Want a Pro Photographer at a Family Reunion?

I am sure that I am not the only one that markets to family reunions and there are several reasons why you should have a professional photographer at your next big family event.

1.  I received a phone call from a friend that said her family asked her if she would be the photographer at her family's reunion.  She stated, and rightfully so, that she did not want spend her time with her family taking pictures.  I would say, it's not fair...don't make me miss my reunion.

Yes, every reunion that I have covered has had at least one solid piece of camera equipment, but the vast majority are point and shoot jobs from a big box store. The presence of an objective, professional photographer means that most of the special moments will be documented in a high quality fashion.  The occasional help and guidance of key organizers is intregal so no moments involving important events will be missed.

You hate to miss a moment like this!  With a roving photographer at your reunion, they can be caught in a candid fashion.

2.  At best, family reunions are once a year opportunities to gather.  Gandmothers are reunited with grand-kids at a remote location...often away from malls, movie theaters and video games.  A flexible photographer can create quick portraits of a menu of subjects.

3.  How many in your family are used to speaking to large groups or directing them for a large group photo when there is a world of impatience right in front of you.  You have heard the term "herding cats" right?  Well try herding 80 members of your extended family in the woods!  A skilled, personable photographer can get it done!

4.  Finally, there is the cost.  $100, maybe as much as $250 for a photographer to be on site for a few hours.  I mean let's face it, you could go hog-wild with a memory book and the cost could equal that of a small wedding.  First of all, there are a lot of people in the crowd that will see the value of having a photographer present and think of all the oohs and ahhs with the memory book arrives a few weeks later.  That is a lot of folks that would probably split the cost (all families throw in five bucks, but be sure to have your portrait taken!).  If you make pre-arrangements and the photographer may be able to sell prints on site or have print orders available, the congregation has just made an exclusive market.  Your price may be discounted with the interest in the photogrpaher's products and services.

So when you are thinking about your next family reuion, step it up a notch and hire a professional photographer to be on site.  Be a true hero and negoiate access to all images created so your entire family can access them.  Now there will be time for more memories for family and more memoreis to enjoy after the reunion.

So when you are thinking of a reunion photographer here in the Pacific Northwest, think of GAP Photo.