Viewfinder: Have You Got a Big Personal Event or Occasion on the Horizon in 2025?

I read recently that hiring a photographer for private parties and occasions is on the up. Great news for us togs :) It got me thinking about a 90th birthday party I photographed last year where family members had flown in from other countries to celebrate the oldest member of the family - including 26 cousins, who hadn’t all been in the same room for years! We got all of those cousins together and created a big family shot that my client was absolutely over the moon with. So it got me thinking, why is it we rely on a professional to capture a wedding, but not as much for other big life events?

Whether it's a 40th birthday, a christening, an engagement, or even a baby shower, here are five reasons why you might want to consider having an ‘official’ photographer at your next big bash…

1. High-quality photos (even when the lighting is tricky)

A family member might have a decent phone (or even camera) but will the photos all be of a high-quality? Will they know how to handle tricky lighting conditions, or get usable photos of the dancefloor action? Maybe, but you don’t need to chance it.

Event photography is a skill. A pro photographer will be able to work with you to understand the type of images you want to capture and be able to capture every important element of your special occasion. We’re also equipped with a professional camera and access to good photo editing software to deliver photos that even your camera-shy guests will love. Booking a photographer is not just about the time it takes to come and take the photos you are investing in, but also the time it takes to edit the images too, so the results are everything you hope for.

2. We know what to capture and when

A professional event photographer who regularly documents parties and events has a keen eye for what makes a photo great. We can capture those precious moments (posed or unposed), put your guests at ease and document the true story of your party from start to finish. If you're looking for a more posed or formal image for a family occasion then a photographer has the experience to take charge and engage with your guests to produce a great group shot to get the best result.

3. You’ll get a great record of your event without having to lift a finger

If you’re the party planner, you most likely sorted the catering, guest lists and venue organisation. Your ‘to-do’ list was probably massive in the run up to your event, so once the big day arrives, don’t add to the stress by trying to be the designated photographer too! Hiring a pro will leave you free to mingle with your guests and enjoy yourself in the knowledge that your party images are in safe hands.

4. It leaves you free to have photos of yourself enjoying the party

If you are behind the camera then you can often forget to get into some of the photos yourself. The lovely thing about having someone else take the pics is that you’ll be in them too (and have plenty of new profile pics for your social media).

5. A pro means guaranteed results you’ll be proud to share

If you’ve asked someone to get your photos for you throughout the night, but after one or two drinks the quality and consistency has gone totally downhill, you might find the pics towards the end of the night are a bit blurry and not really usable. A professional photographer will be giving the job their full attention, have back up equipment and make sure that even when the party gets a bit wild, your images are still fab from beginning to end. As a bonus, I also have a platform where images can be shared and even directly downloaded, by friends and family.