We discussed your needs or more what you are naturally inclined to when it comes to getting things done or prioritizing. This post will discuss the types of photographers out there that specialize and don't specialize in different services/genres.
Part Two : Genre
Family? Couple? Wedding? Infant? professional headshots? There are so many photographers out there that specialize in only specific genre of portrait photography. Some do it all. There are pros and cons to both.
Every genre requires a special technique that you may need to master with practice and education. I imagine studio head shots to be very different from child portraiture or lifestyle natural light photographer. There are some things only those veterans know by just doing it over and over again. Specialized portrait photographers probably have seen a lot during their practice and probably have gone through different circumstances and remedies.
The photographers who do it all from weddings to birth are perfect if you have a lot of different needs and you don't want to bother looking for another professional. Imagine going to a mall and getting everything in one place. The downside is if they haven't been in a business for very long, they haven't really had much time to develop a expertise in that genre you will be serviced in.
There are a few who pick and choose some genre to cater to their clients. For example, YCP will rarely do events, weddings or posed infant portraits. YCP will however do family portraits, children/tween portraits, lifestyle head shots for working parents as well as senior portraits. YCP services the needs of a busy family but does not claim to be the master of all trades that exist in the portrait world. I think to be great at a few related genres are a good compromise between two types of photographers.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
