Choosing a Photographer

Choosing the right photographer for your needs will help ensure that you will achieve your vision for your session. Connecting with my clients is very important and personal. The relationship and rapport that you build with your photographer will make the process valuable. I am up for adventure, look for opportunities to challenge my skills, and love to have a good time. Life is too short for negativity.

Here are a few tips to help you along this journey….

1. Determine the style that you love. Peruse some of your favorite images on Pinterest or your favorite social media sites. Save those images that speak to you. Do you prefer bright and vibrant, dramatic and moody, posed, candids or documentary styles?
2. Do a bit of homework. There are so many talented and creative artists in the area. Do your research and view a variety of photographers webpages and social media sites to determine if their style suits your vibe.
3. An important question to ask your photographer before you book is: “Are you licensed and permitted to operate your business?” Legitimate and professional photographers will have business licenses to operate in every city, county, and state in which they provide services.
4. Talk to your top photographer choices and see if you connect. Having a conversation to see you communicate well with one another to clarify expectations will help ensure your satisfaction with the experience. Choosing a photographer is a personal choice. It will be critical that you are able to communicate well so that you can create images with real emotion and genuine expressions. Photography is a luxury and you want to make sure that you are pleased with your investment.
5. Ask your photographer to provide examples of their recent work. Professional photographers will have galleries or portfolios for you to review.
6. Does your photographer have a back-up plan? You will want your photographer to have a plan “B”. Sometimes equipment and life doesn’t go as planned. Does your photographer have back-up equipment in the event of malfunction? Does your photographer have an alternate plan if the weather doesn’t cooperate?
7. Does your photographer have insurance? Insurance will be critically important to cover both gear and guests. Events may be unpredictable and you want to make sure that you will be protected during your session.
8. Find out what is included in their packages? Some photographers offer all services a la cart while some may offer packages that include digital images, editing, prints, photo books, and hair & make-up etc. You will need to know other details such as delivery time, image delivery method and total investment.
9. Contracts protect both the client and photographer. A contract is an important document that helps delineate all the details. It will include the responsibilities of each party.
10. “Good photography is not cheap and cheap photography is not good.” I completely understand and appreciate a great deal, but if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Before committing to a photographer, I highly recommend doing your homework to help ensure that you will be happy with your session results. You will want a photographer who can deliver consistently.
11. Understand copyrights and discuss how you may use your images. Licenses may be issued for printing purposes. However, altering images or selling the images created by the photographer is prohibited. Copyrights remain with the creator/photographer. Discuss your intent for use of your images before allowing your images to be used in advertising or commercial purposes. When sharing your images on social media, appropriate photo credit is appropriate.