Five tips to finding the right photographer for you
What makes a good photographer?
The first thing I would say is that it’s not the gear they own! The brand of camera body and lenses, and even how expensive the gear is has very little to do with whether a photographer is any good at their craft.
And it has even less to do with whether they’re a good fit for you.
Read on for my five tops to choosing the right photographer for you.
STYLE
First and foremost is the whether they already have in their portfolio the kinds of images that you are looking for. Don’t expect an architectural interiors photographer to be great with newborns!
I don’t mean to say that an interiors photographer can’t also photograph newborns, but they probably don’t have the same approach as someone who works with newborns all the time, and vice versa.
Also consider when and where you are expecting the photographer to work. A natural light photographer is not going to want to shoot your portraits after dark. I know a couple who found a wedding photographer they liked, who had a really great inner-city-vibe to their work. It was truly gorgeous. Said couple, however, were getting married in the mountains, with not much time available between ceremony and reception, and were then disappointed that the images they got from the day were so different from the ones they’d seen in their photographer’s portfolio.
VIBE/PERSONALITY
Once you’ve found a few photographers whose work you love, make contact with them… at a minimum by email/DM, but preferably by phone or in person.
Being photographed is quite a vulnerable feeling, and you want to find a photographer you feel comfortable with. An initial phone call is a great place to start working out whether you’re a good fit.
PROFESSIONALISM
Good photographers have systems in place that ensure not only that each job goes smoothly, but also that both they and you are protected. They should have T&C documents, insurances in place, and also be able to offer you things to help you prepare and get the most out of your shoot. (Think what to wear guides, etc.)
LOCATION AND AVAILABILITY
If you have a fixed date, time and place for your shoot, make sure your chosen photographer can actually work there. Some venues will need to see certificates of currency for each vendor who comes in, other places (major public parks, etc.) will require photographers to pay for a permit prior to working there.
If you’re flexible on time, date, and location, then you have much more freedom to fit in with the schedule of your dream photographer. Many photographers will publish dates on their website for when they will be in major cities around the world, for example. Dreaming of a shoot in NY with a particular photographer? See if they’re already planning to go there and book an advertised date. OR talk with them about what it would take to get them there just for you!
PRICE
Lastly, price.
This is a big one. Photographic services can be expensive, and you need to make sure that you’re aware of pricing before you book! A good photographer should welcome your questions about price, and be able to send you a full price list in advance.
In fact, a good photographer should bring up the topic of price if you forget to ask about it
If you have a photographer you’d dearly like to work with, but can’t quite afford all in one hit, ask whether they offer payment plans.
