Chances are at some point you’ve run into a family member or friend trying to get a new photography business off the ground. Maybe they’ve even offered to take your images for free to build up their portfolio. The offer can definitely be tempting, but is it worth it?

Photography is an art form, just like painting or sculpture, and it requires skill and knowledge to do well. When it comes to photos of you and your family, you don’t want an amateur capturing your memories. You want someone who knows what they’re doing and can create the photos you desire.

They have the experience and expertise
A professional photographer brings years of training (and in some cases even college education) in photography to your session. They know everything about their camera and how to make use of every setting to get the best possible images for you, and they’re able to make adjustments as they go, ensuring they don’t miss a single shot. Your friend or family member may have a professional camera, but if they don’t know to use it, chances are you won’t get the images you want.

You can be in the photos
Parents are often the ones taking the photos of their kids, and as a result, you may have tons of photos of your little ones but very few of you with them. Hiring a professional photographer not only allows you to get quality images, but it enables you to actually be in the photos. A talented photographer will able to capture your family’s personalities, and taking the responsibility of photography away from you lets you actually enjoy the moment and get images you can cherish for years to come.

They have the post-production skills
Anyone can take a photo, but professional photographers do a ton of work after your photo session as well. They have the software and skill to edit your photos and create images you’ll adore. You definitely don’t want someone who’s still figuring out Photoshop to try to bring out the light and color in your images. It takes a professional eye and hand to know just how to make each shot a masterpiece.

Your photos will be more than quick snapshots
We all have cameras on our phones, and maybe you take photos all the time. That’s great! You should definitely take advantage of the technology and capture the memories that matter most to you. But if you want images to share with family and friends or photos to hang in your home, a professional photographer is the only way to go. While it’s important to capture the everyday moments, it’s also important to have photos that you can look back on years later and that your children—and maybe even grandchildren—can enjoy for decades to come.

They care about making you happy
A friend or family member who offers to take your photos is doing so to boost their portfolio and to get in some practice. A professional, however, is genuinely invested in your satisfaction with your images. This isn’t a side job for them—it’s their career. They’ve worked hard to build their business, and they put in the time and effort necessary to make their clients happy. A professional photographer also understands the importance of getting the job done in a timely fashion and ensuring you’re thrilled with the results.

You might need a little guidance
No matter how many times you’ve had your photo taken, it can still be a little anxiety-inducing, especially if you have kids to corral. The patience of a pro can really help ease some of the stress of making sure everyone is smiling and not throwing a fit. Plus, a professional will have plenty of tricks up their sleeve for getting a smile out of your kids and will know just how to help you pose and relax to look like your most natural, comfortable self.

They have all the equipment
Your friend may have a professional camera, but a pro photographer has all the equipment, from different lens to backdrops to lighting gear. They have a lot invested in their business, and they know how to use every piece to make their photos amazing. A professional photographer will have all their equipment on hand and ready to use for your photos without needing to research a single thing, guaranteeing you the images you want.

You deserve it
Some people feel that professional photography just isn’t worth the investment. They don’t know what they’d do with their images, or they feel like it’s a waste of time and money. But photos are one of the few ways we can truly hold on to memories. As you grow older, you’ll forget so many things you swore to remember. Photography can help you look back on your growing family, on your children’s first years, and on the beginning of your marriage. You deserve to remember the special moments in your life, and your kids deserve to have photos of you when you’re gone. Everyone deserves to be remembered, and photography helps us capture those memories for the years and decades to come.