About: Cornell T. McGhee, Professional Portrait Photographer

A man with a beard sits on a stool beside a camera on a tripod in a well-lit room.

Beginning January 2026, Cornell will serve as the President of the Texas Professional Photographers Association (TPPA). TPPA has over 1,000 professional photographers creating images for a diverse group of clientele.

Cornell's photographs have won many local, state, and national awards. His award-winning portfolio encompasses a diverse range of genres, including Glamour, Portraiture, Nature, and Aviation.

Cornell is a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Through PPA, he earned the Master of Photography degree, the Photographic Craftsman Degree, and the Certified Professional Photographer designation. Cornell serves as the 2026 President for the Texas Professional Photographers Association. Cornell is also a member of the American Society of Photographers.

Dr. McGhee received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at Austin. He earned a Master of Science in Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, a Master of Military Arts & Sciences in Operational Planning from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Why Should You Hire a Professional Photographer?

Photography is an art form, just like painting and sculpture. It requires training, skill, and knowledge to do well. When it comes to photos of you and your brand, you don’t want an amateur to create your image. For the optimum result, hire someone who knows how to translate your brand into a visual language people admire.

Professional Photographers have expertise and experience.

Professional photographers bring years of training at university and/or an apprenticeship in photography to your session. They know everything about lighting, set design, cameras, production, and visual communication. They know how to make use of every setting to create the best possible images for you. Experienced professionals can adapt to changes on set without missing a shot. Your friend or family member may have a professional camera, but if they don’t know how to use it, chances are you won’t get the images you want.

You can be in the photos.

Hiring a professional photographer, you get quality images, and it enables you to feature your products, services, employees, and happy customers in the photos. A talented photographer knows how to produce a photo shoot and create images that show your personality. Taking the responsibility of producing photography off your plate lets you be productive and enjoy the moment. The result is a content library of on-brand images that will promote you for years to come.

Professional photographers have post-production skills.

Anyone can send over some snapshots, but professional photographers do a ton of work to polish the photos after your photo session. They have the software, calibrated equipment and skill to edit your photos and create images to power your business into the future. You don’t want someone who’s still figuring out Photoshop or playing with Lightroom sliders to edit your valuable images. It takes a professional eye to know just how to make each shot a masterpiece that blends seamlessly into your brand image.

Your photos will be more than quick snapshots.

We all have cameras on our phones, and you probably take pictures all the time. Isn’t it amazing that we always have the technology to capture the events in our lives? But when you want images to inspire your audience and engage them with your brand, a professional photographer is the only way to go. While it’s important to capture everyday moments, it’s also important to have hero images that become icons of your brand. Photos that people can look back on years later and remember with a smile, proud that they were a part of it.

Professional Photographers strive to exceed your expectations.

A friend or family member who offers to shoot some photos is usually trying to get some practice or start their portfolio. A professional, however, is genuinely invested in your satisfaction with your images. This isn’t a side hustle for them – it’s their career. They’ve trained for years, honing their skills in lighting, shooting, and editing. As entrepreneurs, they understand your deadlines, that you work hard for your business, and that you are in it for the long haul, so they do what it takes to make their clients happy. A professional photographer understands the importance of being part of a team and ensuring that everyone is thrilled with the results.

You might need a little guidance.

No matter how many times you’ve had your photo taken, it can still drive up your anxiety, especially if you must get the boss involved. The patience and confidence of a pro help ease the stress of a shot, making everyone feel more relaxed. Plus, a professional will have plenty of tricks up their sleeve for getting just the right look out of everyone at the shoot. They will guide you through the poses to help you relax so you look natural and confident.

Professional photographers have all the equipment.

Your friend may have a professional camera, but a pro photographer has all the equipment. Don’t be surprised if they show up with a crew of assistants rolling in cases of lighting, camera gear, backdrops, lighting gear, and a rolling editing station. They have invested a small fortune in their photography equipment, and they know how to use every piece to make their photos amazing. Professional photographers will have all their equipment and backups on hand so they can adjust on the fly to layout changes, extra shots, weather changes, and everything else, so you never miss a shot.

Surrounding yourself with professional photography or artwork is a sign of intelligence!

Some people feel that professional photography just isn’t worth the investment. They don’t know what they’d do with their images, or they feel like it’s a waste of time and money. But photos are one of the few ways we can truly hold on to memories. As you grow older, you’ll forget so many things you swore to remember. Photography can help you look back on your growing family, on your children’s first years, and the beginning of your marriage. You deserve to remember the special moments in your life, and your kids deserve to have photos of you when you’re gone. Everyone deserves to be remembered, and photography helps us capture those memories for the years and decades to come.