How to Choose the Right Photographer

There are so many talented photographers out there, but how do you choose the right photographer for you? There are a couple of key distinctions between a good photographer and a photographer that is good for you. Here are a couple of things to consider before booking your next portrait session.

Do Some Research

This doesn’t have to be college-level research, it could be as simple as asking friends and family for their recommendations. From there you could look up their website and to preview their work, what are people saying? Read reviews on their website and on Google or wherever else you find customer reviews. 

Hire a Professional

Now, everyone has 24/7 access to a camera with a cell phone but it’s hard to get everyone in the photo. Or maybe you have a photographer friend but are they qualified to capture your family in the best light? Don’t get me wrong everyone has to start somewhere and this will come down to your family’s needs, values and budget. 

A professional photographer will have the training and experience to

• Understand different lighting scenarios
• Know how and why they choose the way they frame their subjects
• Be able to engage with clients to pull out genuine smiles/emotion
• Professionally and consistently edit photos

Match your Photography Style 

There are plenty of options for this category alone. Some photographers are light and airy, some are dark and moody. Some love neutral colors while others love to capture vibrant colors. Each photographer will understand the best way to go about their style to make sure you look your best. Styling is important to recognize as these are photos that will most likely grace the walls of your home. The last thing you want is for your photos to feel out of place in your home. 

Consider how the images they share make you feel. Think about if the images your potential photographer posts on social media match the vision you have for your session?

Would you Like this Person?

Check out the about page on their website and follow their social media accounts. Did you connect with anything they shared about themselves? Do you enjoy seeing their content when it pops up on your feed? If you wouldn’t get along with them in real life, they might not be a good fit during your session.

Social media is great because we can get a better understanding of people before we choose to work with them! If you’re still not sure, reach out to them, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

Are they Specialized? 

You wouldn’t hire a mechanical engineer to do an electrical engineering job. Similarly, a wedding photographer would not be the best choice to take your newborn’s portraits. Specializing in a particular field requires that you are consistently learning and staying up to date within your field. A specialized photographer may provide additional perks and knowledge. For example, a wedding photographer has relationships with day-of vendors to help in planning. Or a motherhood photographer may supply a client closet to make mother’s feel their best during a session.

Learn about the Client Experience

Every photographer should be able to answer this question. What can you expect from working with this photographer? Is there a clear format for how they go about every session? Does their approach to a session match how you would like to be treated as a client? 

If you’ve been following along with me on social and are ready to book, Yay I’m so excited to work with you! If you have more questions or would like to learn more about working with me, you can do so here. Follow along with me on Facebook and Instagram to get to know me a little better!