At some point in the last ten years, you’ve probably heard someone mention it in some way: does everyone having a camera in their pocket eliminate the need for a photographer? The short answer is no…but if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you want more in-depth reasoning as to why.

It goes without saying that phone cameras have made leaps and bounds since their inception. Back in the 2000s, we thought it was so futuristic having a camera in our pocket at all times. Despite them being grainy and tiny at just 1.3 megapixels, we were enamored by the concept.

And then the iPhone came out. And then we added flashes to our phones. And then we increased their megapixel count. And added multiple lenses. And–okay, you get the idea.

Point being, as the proliferation and tech rapidly advanced in smart phones, some have argued that photographers aren’t as needed anymore. But they say a picture is worth a thousand words…so I bring you not one, but two in this post. One was taken with my professional camera and flash. The other was taken on my (one-year-old) iPhone and its flash. I think it’s safe to say that I don’t have to explicitly point out which picture was taken with which. Both were taken in the same room. The iPhone’s flash not only failed to illuminate her (it’s a bright room and not a huge flash), but also couldn’t keep up with her arm being in motion. In summary: despite their convenience and notable advancements, smart phone cameras still do not compare to the quality of a professional camera and photographer. It’s not even close. And gear aside, it still takes a trained eye and steady hand for ideal composition and timing to get the most out of your story or event. That comes from a human…not technology. Don’t let cameras being everywhere nowadays discourage you into thinking your job doesn’t matter. Keep on shooting for the stars.