There are many, many, many reasons. The biggest regret I have from last homecoming was that I didn’t hire someone. I quite honestly didn’t even think of it. I have cell phone pics of me, 42 weeks pregnant, in labor, about 5 minutes *after* we actually reunited. I would love to have photos that were clear, crisp and gorgeous.
There is no other feeling quite like it in the world, who wouldn’t want to remember it? You’ve spent the past seven months to a year missing him, this is the moment when you are finally back in his arms.
“I’ll just have my friends do it” I’ve heard this a lot. If your friend is a photographer, that’s cool. The benefit of hiring a professional who knows their equipment, has more than a pop up flash for that 2 am homecoming, or can counteract the harsh, harsh mid day shadows makes a huge difference. Plus, as someone recently pointed out to me, you’ll feel obligated to hang around your friends after when all you most likely wanna do is drag him by the hand and get home.
A photographer will be there for YOU. To get the images you are dying to see. I am perfectly happy shooting your homecoming at whatever time of day they come home. Dinnertime? Sounds good. Two am? Perfect!
When should you book your photographer? That depends. Do you have someone specific in mind? Book as soon as you can. Multiple reasons. The most important being that you book them before someone else does. The other is to “lock in” pricing. Many photographers raise their prices slowly over time; the sooner you book there is a potential for saving some money.