Sometimes, you only get one chance...

...one chance at capturing those memories.  

Hire a pro. 

Sometimes, I cringe...

    Regarding a wedding that went like this, "We really want to use you, but, we can save money by hiring Uncle Ed." When asked a few weeks later, when I saw Miss Newlywed at the gym, "How did the photos come out?"  It seems uncle Ed shot everything at this outdoor wedding in silhouette. Then he boosted his ISO to the point where everything was "white".  The bride's response, "We are hoping that some of the guests took good photos."  

    Or the Bar Mitzvah where an inexperienced bar mitzvah photographer/videographer was hired, and walked around during the prayers, snapping photos or taking video. And without a zoom, walked up to the bimah to get close-ups.  Not only was this a distraction to the rabbi, but to the whole congregation that came to view this special event in a young man's life.  I don't know how the photos or video came out...I wasn't there.  But, I heard about it.

    Or the Bar Mitzvah, where I was invited as a guest, and thought to talk to the photographer hired by an event company.  He confided, "I've never been to one of these.  In fact, I was called just two hours ago to fill in for someone else."  He further confided that he was not an event photographer at all.  And, it was obvious, in the two hour lead time, based upon our discussion, that he had not done any research regarding a Bar Mitzvah.  (Make sure you get the chair dance! - "Huh?") 

    Do yourself a favor: LOOK at the photographers portfolio.  If you see:
blurry (and not because of bokeh), out of focus, arms and legs cut off in odd places, crooked horizon lines, bad coloring (bluish or green faces) - that photographer has a LOT to learn.