Anyone with a camera can be a photographer, but what makes the difference is the person behind the camera. One does not become a professional photographer overnight. Neither does one become a professional photographer instantly when a camera is purchased, nor after attended a few photography classes or simply after photographing an event. It takes a lot of practice, effort, and time, years to hone the craft, and build the portfolio. One would start from scratch by assisting and learning from professional photographers, whereby the allowance earned was barely enough for basic needs, and the unpleasant remarks that were uncalled-for, which came up from time to time.
While the equipment that one uses may not be the most trendy or newest or the latest model, but as long as it meet the needs for professional photography work, it would suffice. To begin with, photography equipment has never been cheap, even for a 2nd hand unit. To even have just a complete set of equipment (2nd hand units) could make one exhaust the majority of their savings, and much more to go after the trend or latest model. Apart from the regular maintenance, equipment had to be sent for servicing when necessary so that it can still perform at its optimal, which would be another set of costs for photographers. Besides, there are also software, internet site maintenance, marketing, and other equipment (eg. Professional Screen Calibrator) costs which the photographer has to bear.
A professionally captured photo is more than just pressing the button. It involves the relevant knowledge, technical skill sets, creativity, photographer’s adaptability to solve the issues that came up on-site, and as well as the time spent after the photoshoot to process the photos behind the scene, which many do not see. As the photos are being taken, the equipment are also wearing-out at the same time. However minimal the wear-out may be, the equipment is still wearing-out and the lifespan still decreases.
Therefore, when one pays for professional photography services, one is not only paying for the photos. The payment is also inclusive of the photographer’s knowledge, technical skill sets, creativity, software, time, photographer’s investment in the equipment, wearing-out of equipment, internet site maintenance, marketing, and as well as the humans’ basic needs such as food, transport fees, and bills.
The journey mentioned above is no stranger to most professional photographers, and likewise to our founder, Nikki. She started with events coverage whereby photos were being used for publications, and thereafter moved on to other types of events, as well as portraits, solemnization, and weddings. The passion was ignited in her since 2009 and has never diminished ever since.
Some may have wondered, what kept her going and eventually pursue photography as her main career. To Nikki, photography is a form of art, similar to music which expresses the intangibles, that cannot be sufficiently expressed with words.
At the same time, photos are like a return ticket back to the utmost precious moments which are encapsulated in the photo, even if the people in the photo are no longer around, leaving us with the shared memories and the photo in a frame. We may or may not remember what exactly we did together, but we can never forget how they made us feel, especially if they hold a special place deep down. Her burning passion and love for photography has kept her going and pushing for breakthroughs, come what may.
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