3 things to think about when you’re looking for a professional to take your photographs
Finding the right photographer sounds simple but how do you know they’ll deliver when it comes down to it?
There are 2 main aspects to think about when hiring a photographer, firstly the actual shoot itself and secondly the final photographs that you will receive. To get the best photographs it’s obviously important that the photoshoot is a complete success. This means everyone (including kids and husbands) arriving and walking away feeling pumped about having had a really fun time.
But how do you know that’s what you’re gonna get when you hire someone?
HERE’S THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER:
1. Does their photographic style match your taste?
There is nothing worse then hiring a photographer, having a great session and then receiving your final gallery and feeling your heart sink. Has this happened to you before? I hope not, what an awful situation to be in after having invested financially and emotionally into something with so much meaning.
This can easily be avoided by spending some time before fully committing, looking at the photographer’s most recent work they have been posting. Many photographers don’t always keep their websites fully up-to-date so make sure this isn’t the only place you’re looking at their work. Do they have social media channels like Instagram or Facebook? This is often where you will find their most up-to-date client work.
2. Do they provide good customer service?
This may not seem as important but there is a lot to be said for a business owner who responds promptly, answers your questions fully and is always going above and beyond to meet your needs. Being a photographer isn’t only about having fancy gear or having the technical capability to take a good photo, it’s about understanding the clients needs and wants and providing a service that exceeds those expectations.
I always strive to give my clients the best customer service possible which is why I offer a pre-shoot consultation. This gives us the chance to meet virtually before your shoot to discuss the logistics like location and styling, but most importantly to make sure there is good chemistry between us and that I fully understand what you want to get out of your shoot. This makes the whole photoshoot experience actually, fun.
3. Do they have testimonials for you to read?
Ain’t nothing more important than a good testimonial! This is proof that your photographer is legitimate, has provided great customer service in the past and most importantly, delivered a really great gallery of photographs. Testimonials help you understand what you’ll get out of the whole process and whether it’s worth making that final step and actually investing in someone.
Testimonials are usually easy to find on a photographer’s website (scroll to the bottom here to find mine). If you can’t find them on their website, some photographers post them on their Instagram highlight reels so have a look there if you can’t find any elsewhere.
