How To Choose a Photographer

There are many different things that you need to consider when choosing a photographer. It is not always as easy as choosing the photographer with the best price, although price will play a part in your choice, there are other criteria that will ensure that you get what you are looking for. And end up with the images you will treasure forever.

Determine what you want

You first need to ask yourself a few questions regarding what it is you expect form the experience. What are you hiring a photographer for? An event, family photos, a graduation, a wedding? These will determine what type of expertise is needed for you. Do you have a style that you like? Maybe you prefer natural and candid images compared to controlled and posed images. Is there a location that you had in mind? Both of these will determine if you will hire a studio photographer, or an on location photographer. What are you planning on using your images for, and will you want prints, a CD of the images, or both? This will help determine your budget.

Do your research and know what type of photography you like. You wouldn't hire a plumber to redecorate your bathroom, so make sure the photographer you hire can do what you need them to. Look through their website, and their blog to get a good feel of who they are and what their work is like.

Style

 

Style is something that defines what you like about an image. Do you like the way photographers have the subject in focus and the background blurry? Or do you prefer the whole image to be in focus? Do you like strong and vibrant colors, hazy, or even black and white images?

It is very important that you like the style of the photographer that you hire, after all the images that they capture and produce will be on your walls and shared with family and friends. I can not stress enough how important it is to check the photographers work that you plan to hire.

Location

There are a few different choices to consider when looking at what type of location you want for your photos. Depending partly on the style you like, would you choose studio portraits or on location portraits? If you choose studio your location will be where ever your photographer is, but if you choose on location the possibilities are practically endless.

My advise to those who choose on location is to make sure the spot you pick is somewhere you will be comfortable being. You wouldn't want to have pictures taken at the beach if you hate sand, you would end up with forced smiles in most of your pictures. Also make it personal. Is your family really into football? How about taking photos at your local high school football stadium. Whatever you or your family's passion is, is a great idea for individual or family portraits.

If you are unsure where to start, ask! A professional photographer will have many ideas on how to incorporate your likes into the session. I have had many clients who had no idea where to have their portraits taken, the first thing I ask them is "What do you like to do?"

Budget

When it comes to budget, look at a bunch of photographer prices in your area to get a good feel of what they charge on average. You will most likely find that there are really low priced, medium priced, and highly priced photographers out there. The price does not always reflect the talent of the photographer.

What each price point means...

There will be an abundance of low priced photographers, which usually will be those who are just starting out. Now that does not mean that they are not qualified, as they could have had many years of experience as a hobbyist and are now trying to build their own business, but be sure to ask them how familiar they are with what you need them to do. We all had to start somewhere, and so do photographers, just be careful that you do not hire the person who had a digital camera and thought taking your pictures could easily earn them a few extra bucks.

The medium priced photographers will probably be a true professional photographer. Most photographers in this price category will have experience as well as knowledge in one or more areas such as families, weddings and others. They will have a certain unique style to their images that are consistent.

High priced photographers are usually highly sought after, and for a good reason, they have unique talent that people see not only as images but as art. Where there will still be medium priced photographers with such talent, these high priced photographers have earned their price for reliability, consistent style, and above and beyond quality.

Extras...

With whatever photographer you choose they will have extras that may or may not be included in their session price. Things such as digital images, photo prints, photo books, and more. Make sure that these things are priced out and in your budget. If the photographer you choose does not have this information accessible on their webpage, ask before your session.    

Questions to ask your photographer

If the photographer you want does not have this information already on their website make sure to ask them BEFORE your session.

1. How much is needed to book a session? And when is full payment due?
2. What are the prices for CD's, prints, photo books etc.?
3. Is there a cancellation fee, or re-booking fee? (you just never know what will come up)
4. How long will it take to get my images after my session?*** (this is VERY important, especially if you need them quickly)
5. How long after I get my images do I have to order? (some photographers have set time frames in which you have to order your images)