Types of Photography – Pros & Cons

Hello and welcome to my first proper blog post of 2025! It’s been a great start to the year, with plenty to do and plenty planned over the next couple of months. I will definitely share some shoot stories and additional work soon, but for this post, I thought we could start off the year with a fun, lighthearted listicle-style idea. So, I’m going to share my thoughts on all the kinds of photography that I’ve done over the years, and keep it simple with a pros and cons approach. Enjoy!

Despite the business name, the photography services I offer are not particularly niche. Now, 3 years into taking my photography business seriously, I can say that I’ve had a fair bit of experience in all areas. From commercial jobs to family events – weddings to multi-day conferences, real estate to social media… I’ve had a taste of it all. I don’t pick favourites, because every shoot is special, and every client has different needs. But in good fun, here are some pros and cons of each service, from the photographer’s perspective.

Real Estate

I’ve done some real estate jobs recently, and it’s always a great opportunity to revisit my roots and go back to the basics of photography. Real estate photography is a service I offer to help showcase properties in their best light. Whether it’s for selling a home or promoting a business space, I capture high-quality images that highlight the unique features and atmosphere of each property. For example, I’ve been photographing kitchen joinery projects for Kitchen & Renovation Concepts for years, capturing high-quality shots used for advertising, social media, and websites.

Pros: A Real Estate shoot is always a calm shoot, and the process is pretty methodical. My camera settings are almost the same, no matter the building I am photographing. I also get to see some beautiful spaces and the shoot doesn’t take an enormous amount of time to complete. Usually, we don’t have an enormous mass of photos to sort and edit post-shoot either. You can only get so many good angles of a room. It’s really satisfying to take photos with leading lines in mind, and I don’t have to overshoot in case someone blinks, because there are no people involved.

Cons: Real estate photography can be tedious to edit, especially when dealing with poorly lit spaces. It’s challenging to edit your way out of a room with inadequate lighting. The constant repositioning of the tripod and camera can be quite a workout in itself, making it physically demanding at times.

Family Lifestyle

Family lifestyle photography is all about capturing authentic moments in your life. We believe in celebrating the beauty of both ordinary and extraordinary moments, creating images that reflect your family’s unique personality and dynamics. While I don’t get much family photography work at the moment, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing genuine interactions and real-life moments for families in the Illawarra area.

Pros: Family lifestyle photography is always beautiful, as I get to know the family on a personal level. These shoots feel light-hearted, warm, and fuzzy, creating a joyful atmosphere for everyone involved. It’s rewarding to capture genuine moments and interactions between family members.

Cons: Unfortunately, I don’t get much family photography work at the moment. This limits my opportunities to develop and showcase my skills in this area of photography.

Commercial Events

From networking events to fundraisers, performing arts shows to openings and launches, I offer comprehensive coverage for various commercial events. My goal is to capture the energy and key moments that define each unique gathering. For instance, I photographed a cabaret show for Wild Heart Creatives, overcoming the challenges of a tricky venue to deliver stunning results.

Pros: Commercial events are fun and exciting to photograph. I get to attend various events and chat with interesting people. It’s an excellent opportunity to network and capture the energy of different gatherings. The diversity of events keeps the work engaging and allows me to showcase my versatility as a photographer.

Cons: These shoots can sometimes involve long hours, which can be physically and mentally demanding. Some attendees may not want to be photographed, requiring tact and discretion. Lighting can often be a challenge, especially in dimly lit venues or outdoor settings. For larger events, clients may want photos up on social media ASAP, which can be challenging due to the time required to process and edit a large number of images.

Weddings

As a second-shooting wedding photographer, I work to capture the love, joy, and special moments of a couple’s big day. From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, I strive to create a visual story that the newlyweds will cherish for years to come. While I primarily serve as a second shooter, I’ve had the opportunity to support primary photographers in capturing beautiful wedding moments.

Pros: Wedding photography is beautiful and allows me to be part of the best day of a couple’s life. It creates warm and fuzzy feelings, and it’s interesting to be there as one of the few people who doesn’t personally know the couple. Capturing these once-in-a-lifetime moments is incredibly rewarding and allows for creative expression.

Cons: Weddings often involve long hours, extensive planning, and can be quite full-on with a lot of pressure to capture every important moment. There’s also a substantial amount of editing work afterward. However, these cons are mitigated because I’ve only ever played second-shooter for Sammie, who handles everything wonderfully.

Conferences

Conference photography involves documenting multi-day events, capturing speakers, attendees, and the overall atmosphere. I work to provide a comprehensive visual record of the conference proceedings and networking opportunities. I had the pleasure of photographing the Planning Institute Australia (PIA) NSW Conference at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, capturing the essence of the “Transformation” theme over three exciting days.

Pros: Conference photography provides excellent learning opportunities. I get to hear from various speakers and experts while capturing the event. It’s a great way to stay informed about different industries and topics while practicing my craft.

Cons: Conference shoots usually involve long hours and constant movement to capture different aspects of the event. There’s also a lot of content to cull down afterward, which can be time-consuming.

Headshots

Professional headshots are essential for many individuals in their careers. I offer headshot sessions that aim to capture the subject’s personality while maintaining a polished and professional look suitable for various applications. I’ve had the pleasure of working with clients like Nicole Pap, helping her create portraits for her small business and personal branding.

Pros: Headshot sessions are nice, as I get to know the subject on a personal level. There’s a certain science to creating a good professional headshot, which allows me to refine my technical skills. It’s satisfying to help people present their best professional image.

Cons: I’d like to have more lighting and background gear to enhance my headshot offerings. Most of my headshot jobs have involved finding the best plain wall available and using mostly natural light. I’d love to get more creative with these sessions and offer a wider range of styles and setups.

Portrait

Portrait photography is about capturing the essence of an individual. Whether it’s for personal use or professional branding, I work closely with clients to create images that reflect their unique personality and style. For example, I’ve worked with Sammie Quaver Media to create portraits for her website and personal branding, delivering exactly what she was looking for.

Pros: Portrait sessions are rewarding because clients trust me to capture their essence. The feedback from these shoots is always particularly lovely. It’s fun to incorporate the subject’s personality into the shoot, resulting in unique and personalised images.

Cons: The flip side of being trusted to take portraits is the pressure I can put on myself to ensure they’re the best photos they could be. Because it’s so personal, I really care that the subject likes their photos. This can sometimes lead to added stress during the shoot and editing process.

Pet Portraits

Pet portrait sessions are a fun and heartwarming way to capture the personality of your furry friends. These shoots can take place in various settings, allowing pets to feel comfortable and showcase their unique characteristics. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Animal Welfare League, where my photographs helped animals find their forever homes.

Pros: Pet portrait sessions have been a really fun experience. I love animals, and it’s enjoyable to try to capture their unique personalities while spending time with them. These shoots often result in heartwarming and playful images that bring joy to pet owners.

Cons: Animals can’t speak or understand what I’m saying, which can make it challenging to get certain animals to stay still or pose in specific ways. This requires patience and creativity to capture the perfect shot.

Charity Clicks

Every month, I offer a not-for-profit or charity organisation the chance to apply for a free photoshoot. This service, which I call “Charity Clicks,” allows me to give back to the community while expanding my portfolio. For example, I visited the beautiful Green Connect Farm in Warrawong, and the photos I took have been used for their annual report, social media, flyers, and even an upcoming ABC garden magazine. The Green Connect Community Resources team was thrilled with the results, saying they loved every picture.

Pros: Charity Clicks allows me to connect with the community and learn about various organizations while adding to my portfolio. I get to enjoy the process of photography without the pressure of employment. People are often really appreciative, and it can lead to paid work in the future. It’s incredibly fulfilling to use my skills to support worthy causes.

Cons: While this work is unpaid, it’s always worth it for the experience, connections, and the positive impact it has on the community. The only downside is balancing these pro bono projects with paid work to ensure the sustainability of my business.

In conclusion, each type of photography comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. As a photographer, I find joy in the diversity of my work and the opportunity to capture special moments for my clients across various settings. Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event, or a charity project, every shoot allows me to grow as a professional and contribute to my community in meaningful ways.