Professional photographers use lighting knowledge, location research, the highest quality of equipment, and editing skills to create beautiful images. When you hire a pro, you get to be part of the memory and don't have to worry about how the photos will turn out. You get to let someone else worry about your toddler picking his nose. You get to relax and enjoy being together instead of fretting about corralling everyone or stressing about what might look good. It's the photographer's job to make photos look good.