Wife wants to hire a photographer - should I be insulted?

I get where you are coming from. I would feel a bit offended if my wife went off and asked another photographer to do shots of her or something.

As for backgrounds, if you have a white background or something, alternate backgrounds can always be photo shopped in =)

As for hats and cute props, I would recommend checking out your local thrift shops. Where I live there are quite a few. Look for Salvation Army or SPCA thrift stores, they got tons of neat stuff for literally a few dollars.

If you admit that you are not the same caliber of photographer, why feel like you have been insulted? Simply realize that it reflects the fact that your level of skill is not up to par with the expectations of quality in a portrait that you wife wants to have.

form wrote in post #9421272
The photographer the wife wants to take the kids to provides a quality, consistent product if their blog is true to what they do for clients. Besides having the props, they also know how to use them, and pose the kids, and light everything nicely, and retouch the photos to make them look like a quality finished product. Does the OP want to do all that, and does he know how?

That's why professionals exist.

How do you know the OP doesn't know how? I think you have put in a lot of assumption here, and this is simply not right. Please don't put all these assumption in here. This is a community here, not a people-insulting forum. If you can't contribute to make things better, please hold on to your words. You are not giving anyone any help at all.

Wilt wrote in post #9421521
If you admit that you are not the same caliber of photographer, why feel like you have been insulted? Simply realize that it reflects the fact that your level of skill is not up to par with the expectations of quality in a portrait that you wife wants to have.

I also freely admit that I am not the best looking, wealthiest, or most talented lover, but I would be hurt if she wanted to go on a date with another man!

I get what you are saying, though....

i say buy some off camera lighting stuff...mess around with it for a couple weeks...if you can't produce something your wife likes...sell the stuff and pay the photographer....

tkbslc wrote in post #9421770
I also freely admit that I am not the best looking, wealthiest, or most talented lover, but I would be hurt if she wanted to go on a date with another man!

I get what you are saying, though....

Getting a photographer or mechanic or surgeon, rather than relying upon your own skill (or lack thereof), is quite different than getting a substitute lover! If I have to explain that one, leave the marriage.

Wilt wrote in post #9421800
Getting a photographer or mechanic or surgeon, rather than relying upon your own skill (or lack thereof), is quite different than getting a substitute lover! If I have to explain that one, leave the marriage.

I know, I am just joking.

tkbslc wrote in post #9421843
I know, I am just joking.

Knew that. Just wanted to be a wise ess.

Dont feel discouraged. That photographers stuff is awesome, Im sure youre good, but maybe your styles are just different? Ya know? Maybe she just wants the whole..."professional package" I wouldnt take offense to it, its always cool to have different types of photos..especially of your kids.

form, 3 years is nothing stop bragging, Im turning 19 and Ive been with mine going on our 6th year.

cheungupdt wrote in post #9421748
How do you know the OP doesn't know how? I think you have put in a lot of assumption here, and this is simply not right. Please don't put all these assumption in here. This is a community here, not a people-insulting forum. If you can't contribute to make things better, please hold on to your words. You are not giving anyone any help at all.

It would be much more absurd for me to assume that he does know how to do all that if his photos are admittedly not coming out as good as the professional's. I was not insulting the OP at all; it's simple matter of fact, just like it's matter of fact that I'm no Jerry Ghionis.

This was my original post, which people obviously have forgotten about:

The chance to watch someone you admit is better than yourself is a great opportunity. Don't be insulted. You have the chance to observe someone with superior skill at work. So you get some awesome portraits of the girls AND may sneak in some learning. Sounds like a good deal really.

I'm very handy around the house, but during my day job (hardwood flooring) I rub elbows with people of all trades. Things that I can do, but they do better. You can bet your butt I watch them like a hawk in an effort to learn, and if I needed their service and knew they were better I'd be on the phone calling them.

While I might initially have the normal human reaction of being disappointed at the suggestion, I would QUICKLY welcome the opportunity to see how someone else might shoot my kids. I'd like to have some shots from the perspective of another photographer, for sure. (In fact, I have a good friend that has a studio. He's the guy I go to when I want great family portraits.)

Even if I was a world-class artist, and for the record there's no danger of that, there is a huge value to me in seeing the art of another. Seeing my kids through the lens of another photographer would be great. I'm pretty familiar with my kids and can be handy with the gear, but when it comes down to it their shots are going to be different for a wide variety of reasons. To see the end result would be fascinating, IMHO.

Another consideration could be the Mrs. wishing for a no-pressure situation for the kids. I know when I shot my Mrs or kids I am not as professional as when I'm doing something on the clock. I can't help it. Being too familiar with your subject changes the situation.

Now, is there any value to feigning insult and "allowing" her to to make it up to you? What's the next L lens you've been pining for?

form wrote in post #9421976
This was my original post, which people obviously have forgotten about:

Your point being?

Lives don't hang in the balance. We're not talking amateur aircraft mechanic or "part time" surgeon.

IMO, your wife should at least let you have a crack at it and then you can both deicide if your work is satisfactory or not.

form wrote in post #9419132
Get better, and eventually she won't need or want to get them done elsewhere.

I think you should've left it at that.

form wrote in post #9419132
If you're not as good as the other entity, it would be inappropriate (and it would stem from insecurity, jealousy and some other immature emotions) for you to demand or force them to settle for you.

Wow. What prompted you to write that? When did the OP say he was going to force or demand anything?