📸 National Camera Day: A Look Through the Lens

by | Jun 27, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Evolution of cameras

Every year on June 29th, we celebrate National Camera Day
A day to appreciate the art, science, and magic of photography. Remember those first blurry snapshots you took on a film camera? And the waiting to get the photos printed before you could see your masterpiece… or often not! Whatever photography you’ve used over the years, it is a part of how we tell our stories, remember moments, and connect with others.

Let’s take a quick look at how the camera evolved – and why professional photographers are worth the cost 😉

A Brief Timeline of Cameras

📷 1816 – The First Camera Prototype: Inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce created the first legible but fleeting picture, fading quickly, but it was the start of something big.  Over the next decade he continued he trialling techniques and in 1827, an image, with several days of sun exposure, printed on pewter, was produced. Niépce called this first image a ‘heliograph‘. One of Niépce’s heliographs is still around today! It is the only known surviving image and held at the Harry Ransom Center as part of the Gernsheim Collection.
In 1829 Niépce entered into formal partnership with Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, before his death in 1833.

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce 1827. Heliograph on pewter, 16.7 x 20.3 x .15 cm. Gernsheim Collection.

📷 1839 – The first commercially successful photographic process was born and named Daguerreotype by Daguerre. These images were printed on metal plates and had to be held still for minutes.

📷 1888 – The Kodak revolution: George Eastman launched the Kodak camera, that would capture negatives in fractions of a second, it was marketed as a point-and-shoot option, with the slogan “You press the button, we do the rest.” Photography became accessible to the masses.

📷 1930 – The Leica One was created and offered the ability to change out the lens.

📷 1934 – Kodak introduced 135 film. This film was 35mm wide and made it possible to use the same size and type of film in cameras of any brand.

📷 1948 – Instant photography was born: Edwin Land invented the instant camera and founded the Polaroid Corporation. People could hold their photos minutes after taking them.

📷 1950’s – The first Fujifilm twin-lens reflex camera (TLR) as well as the first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with instant return mirrors were introduced. This included the Nikon F 35mm SLR complete with an entire array of lenses, motor drives, straps, and other accessories.

📷 1961 – The revolution of colour photography: Inventor of the SLR camera Thomas Sutton created the first colour photograph.

📷 1991 – Digital is introduced: Kodak released the first digital SLR camera aimed at professionals.

📷 1999 – The first cell phone to offer a camera was the Kyocera VP-210. The 2-inch screen allowed you to view photos instantly, but it wasn’t until the invention of the smartphone that mobile photography truly took off.

📷 Today – Smartphones + Mirrorless: Today, we carry powerful cameras in our pockets, and many DSLR’s are now mirrorless.

In a World Full of Cameras, Why Hire a Professional photographer?

National Camera Day is the perfect reminder of just how far we’ve come, from box cameras to smartphones that fit in your pocket. But it’s also a great time to appreciate the value of a professional photographer.

While anyone can take a quick snap these days, and camera phones have come on significantly, professional photographers bring a mix of technical skill and creative vision. We understand advanced control camera settings, like shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and white balance, in order to capture the exact mood, lighting, and detail you’re after. We can often see how the final image can look even when it looks and feels like a strange angle or composition!

Plus, photos taken on professional cameras are high-resolution, which means they’re not only crisp and sharp, but also ideal for websites, print, and digital marketing. Did you know: High-quality images can help boost your SEO and make your content more appealing to search engines and social media algorithms?!

So, whether you’re updating your website, planning a launch, or simply need to update that old profile photo – professional photography is an investment in people’s first impression of your business.

How Much Do Professional Business Photos Cost?

The cost of professional business photography can vary widely depending on what you need and the level of the photographer:

  • Headshots: From £50-£150 (for standard studio sessions) to £150–£300 for more bespoke options with multiple looks and settings.

  • Product Photography: This typically starts from £150 and goes up depending on the number of items, styling needs, and whether it’s shot in-studio or on location.

  • Event Photography: This generally starts from around £200 for a couple of hours and can go up depending on the scale and length of the event.

  • Personal Brand Photography: Packages usually range from £300 to £1,200+, depending on the number of locations, outfit changes, planning involved, and image quantity.

  • Monthly or Ongoing Packages: Some photographers offer monthly content packages or membership-style services, which can start around £100–£200/month for regular image updates.

Remember: photography isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. It’s probably best to chat with a photographer (like me!) to figure out what works for your needs, your goals, and your budget. Plus it’s always good to know that you’re comfortable with your photographer, if you’re not then you won’t be able to be relaxed and that will show in your photos!

Why Do Professional Photographers Charge So Much?

It’s a fair question – especially in an time where everyone has a camera in their hand or pocket. But professional photography is about far more than just owning a decent camera.

Here’s what you’re really paying for:

  • Expertise & Experience: Knowing how to find flattering angles, work with lighting, guide clients through posing, and bring out genuine expression takes years of practice and training courses.

  • High-End Equipment: Professional-grade gear (cameras, lenses, lighting, software) can cost tens of thousands of pounds and needs regular maintenance.

  • Pre & Post Production: The time spent planning, editing and delivering polished images is often far longer than the shoot itself.

  • Business Costs: Like any business, there are overheads – insurance, software, marketing, training, studio space or travel.

  • Personal Service: From creative direction to helping clients feel confident, good photographers offer a tailored experience, not just good images.

So, when you hire a professional, you’re not just paying for a high quality photograph. You’re investing in knowledge, expertise, trust, and vision.

Happy National Camera Day!
Go snap a selfie, dig out an old photo album, or treat yourself to a professional shoot.

If you’re ready to stop hiding behind the camera and step confidently in front of it, I’d love to help. Feel free to book a discovery call and see if you’ll be comfortable with me!