Finding a photographer can be a little daunting because there are so many options and factors to consider. It is also something that people do not do regularly and in many cases you may not even be aware of how critical some of these factors are or how they can have a major impact on the success of your photography session. I am going to give my feedback on how to find a photographer and hopefully this will be helpful regardless of who you end up choosing.
As you research photographers, you will find that pricing is all over the place and types of images vary from photographer to photographer. There is not necessarily a right way or wrong way with either of these items and each photographer will conduct business based on what works for them.
Pricing
The first item on my list was pricing so I will start with that. I cannot get into specifics on how each photographer establishes their pricing packages, but I will tell you that in many cases you get what you pay for. You find this in various industries and the same is true with photography. If someone is offering prices that are well below what is normal in your area, be careful. They may not have the skill level as other photographers, they may not have the higher end equipment as other photographers, they may not have good customer service skills which is hindering their business, etc. There are numerous other reasons but if their prices are cheaper than everyone else, there is a reason why and you may end up paying for it in the long run.
As I am writing this, we are going through a pandemic so I will add a caveat to pricing structures. Just like many other industries, photographers are financially hurting right now. As things open back up, I have a feeling that many photographers will offer discounts to get their businesses moving again. People are also concerned about even doing photography sessions due to the virus so there will be fewer clients to share between photographers. This may drive pricing down in the short term, but this an anomaly. The comments I made about getting what you pay for applies to normal circumstances and unfortunately things are far from normal right now. However, you should be cautious if hiring a photographer at rock bottom prices regardless of what is going on in the world.
I know pricing is incredibly important, but my advice would be to put price comparisons on hold during your initial research of photographers. I will go over a few additional items that you should consider then get back to pricing.
Photography Style
Each photographer has their own style with their images, and this should be your first consideration. Photography is subjective and if you have ten different photographers take pictures of a subject, you will end up with ten unique images.
This applies to both the content and post processing. While physically taking the picture angles will be different, lighting will be different, posing guidance will be different, cropping will be different, etc. Post processing will affect brightness, contrast, saturation, removing minor blemishes, etc. Some photographer’s images are bright with low contrast, others may be dark and dramatic. Some photographers will do major alterations to the images while others may only do minor adjustments.
None of the photographers or pictures are right or wrong. They are just different based on the style and artistic nature of the photographer. You want a photographer that produces images that you find appealing. However, this does not mean there is only one photographer for you. It means there are a group of photographers that you should consider and a group of photographers that you may want to eliminate from consideration.
Location
You should also consider the location that will be required for the type of images you want created. If you want to do a fashion shoot in a studio, then the photographer will need to have a studio available and the skills to use it. If you want pictures taken in your house or another indoor location, the photographer will need to have lighting equipment and lenses that will be compatible for this type of shoot. If you want lifestyle pictures of your family at a local park, then the photographer needs to have the skills and equipment to do this type of shoot. If you want action shots of your children playing sports or your dog fetching a ball in the park, the appropriate camera and lens are critical.
This may seem like a minor issue but doing photography in these various locations is completely different. Skills need to be developed for each of these types of shoots and the equipment needed is a little different. Some photographers are well versed at shooting in all the locations mentioned above and have the necessary equipment while others may specialize in only one area.
Full-Time Photographer
During your search you will find that there are many part-time photographers. They do this to either supplement their income or as a hobby. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but you should consider the difference between part-time and full-time photographers when making your hiring decision. Full-time photographers have business insurance and operate legally. Full-time photographers may be more reliable because they count on this income to pay their bills. Full-time photographers are more likely to have a back up camera and equipment. Full-time photographers typically invest in professional development on a continuous basis.
A full-time photographer is typically dedicated to this profession and will be a resource for years to come. They are more likely to have the talent to help you create amazing images and the experience to overcome any issues that arise (weather, uncooperative children, etc.). A part-time photographer is doing this as a side job or hobby, they may or may not provide the same experience or product.
Consultation
Do you require any type of consultation before or after your shoot? If you have specific needs, wants or requirements with the images then this information will need to be conveyed prior to the shoot. If you need assistance after the shoot with printing, producing a modeling comp card or anything else is this available?
There are dozens of reasons for needing consultation and you should consider this when hiring a photographer. There is typically only minimal consultation needed which can be done over the phone, via e-mail or in person. However, if you need more in-depth consultation, you will need to hire a photographer that is able and willing to accommodate this requirement.
Other Considerations
Contracts are critical to protect both parties and should be executed prior to any payments being made or services rendered. This is a normal business practice and legitimate businesses will require documentation for legal, insurance and accounting purposes. If a contract is not required, this is a red flag.
One of the most stressful components of doing a photo shoot is picking out clothing and doing makeup. Your photographer may be able to alleviate much of this stress if they offer any resources or guidance in these areas. The amount of assistance needed will vary based on each individual or type of shoot so it may or may not be something to consider when hiring a photographer.
Pricing (Again)
Now that you have considered all the areas mentioned above, it is time to get back to pricing. As mentioned previously, pricing varies widely from photographer to photographer. Some will charge a sitting fee or session fee then you pay for images separately. Some will have all inclusive packages which will include the session and images. There are also numerous variations that may be a mixture of the two.
None of the pricing structures are right or wrong. One pricing structure may fit what you need perfectly but not work for someone else. You may also end up paying the same amount for two different photographers even though they have different pricing structures. Just be careful that you understand the add on costs and have taken this into account prior to committing to a specific photographer. As mentioned previously, if you hire a cheap photographer you may end up with a less desirable experience and lower quality images.
Just like I cannot comment on other photographer’s pricing structures, I cannot comment on your budget or needs. This varies from person to person but if you follow the advice above, you should find a photographer that truly fits your needs and you will end up with some amazing images.
Final Thoughts
Your mood and feelings have a profound effect on the images so regardless of who you select as your photographer, have fun during the shoot.