Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Choosing the right photographer for you
Picking a photographer ain’t no nursery rhyme. Every photographer will think they are worthy of your business. This is our business and how we make money. To my dismay, I am not the fairest of them all (wink and sigh emoji here). We are worthy to some and not others. We all don’t like Ford’s, we want a Chevy. Choosing the right photographer for you comes down to 3 things: Style, Vibe and Budget.
These days, Google puts a photographer on every street corner practically, so go to Starbucks on the opposite corner and sit down for a search.
STYLE CHECK! Every photographer has his or her own style or vibe. Look through portfolios and ask:
. How is the overall images? What you see is what you will get. If you like tradition, but the photographers style is Bright and Airy, not the photographer for you even if the price is right.
. Do you like their editing style: dark and moody, light and airy, tradition and vibrant or all natural. This goes with overall image. Don’t ask a photographer to photography or edit based on your style. Photographers build up their clientele with that particular style. Again, if the photographer is in your price range, but not you style, move on.
. Are the photos too posed, too candid? This is definitely a photographers comfort zone. Posing is difficult to master. And if not posed correctly can make the subject look award and uncomfortable. Keeping your subject engaged and flowing in a session can prove to be challenging and uncomfortable also. Many clients do not feel comfortable being asked to walk around, skip and twirl for those candid shots. Every client is different, so get a feel for each one.
. Can you see yourself in their photos? If their work isn’t exciting to you, look on…
VIBE CHECK - even though you may not know the photographer before had, get to know them through: reviews, social media or a phone call to see if there’s a connection.
. Review the reviews. FYI: just because one photographer has 100 reviews vs one with 10 doesn’t mean Jack! And doesn’t automatically make them better than the next. Review are acquired differently from photographer to photographer. Incentives are a way for some photographers to gain their multitude of reviews.
. Follow us on social media - we don’t bite. We would like to follow back. Personally, this is great way to pick up on your vibe.
. Old school phone call - a quick call for questions and concerns can set the tone. Tone being, is there pressure?
MONEY, MONEY . . . MONEY! Know your budget and what’s included.
In this day and age the word “transparent” is a fine word! WE ALL LIKE TRANSPARENCY.
Ask what’s included in the pricing:
. Clothing or (outfit changes). In my opinion, clients should bring and wear what they choose, but keep in mind clothing changes take time, so if you have an hour session with multiple changes, you’ve cut your session time in half.
. How many locations? How long is the Session? You really need search this one out. When a photographer says: ‘three location’ for 2 hours. Is that three driving location and is that possible with the time allotted, or is it three separate spot in a “location” where you walk to. There’s a difference. So ask that question if you’re unsure.
. Do you get digital images, prints or both? Most everyone is social these day, so digital is the way to go. And all photographers (I think) go digital. Prints are always available through the photographer or on your own.
. Is editing and special edits included? Editing is where the jam meets the peanut butter. Editing is a whole other skill and takes years to master. This can make or break a photographer. Editing is a whole other blog post. Editing can be the most time consuming for a photographer - it take time and effort to create the finished product. There are always distraction and skin issues when it come to portraits. To make a photo a true portrait we have to tackle these issues. Does the photographer charge extra for removals that matter most in the portrait?
. Some of use like a la cart, others like to be more inclusive. Today, especially for me, I like transparency. I want to know what it will cost me upfront. I don’t like surprises. A la Carte is pay as you go, get what you want, Not what the photographers wants you to believe you want (packages).
Don’t just look at price - look at the value
