How to Pick a Professional Photographer

Hey there! This week, I would like to give you some pointers on how to select the best photographer for you. This is a topic that I have written about previously, but since my many years worth of blogs have been wiped out I’ll refresh the information. I hate that that happened but I needed a change and my former web host just couldn’t provide me with what I wanted. Ah well…life goes on and so does my blog. Below are a few pointers that I hope will assist you in successfully finding the best photographer for you. By the way, I do not in any way, shape or form guarantee anything but I do believe they will help you in finding what you’re looking for.

1.  Determine what is most important to you in finding a photographer. Is it price? Is it style? Is it location? What about the products they offer? Would you prefer a male or female photographer or does it matter? Does their culture matter? No judgment. Just questions to think about.
2. If price is most important, determine how much money you want to spend. A budget is very important in this scenario. Many photographers will have their pricing on their websites, so you can view them there. There are also photographers who do not display their pricing, such as me. That doesn’t automatically mean that they/we are expensive (which is a rather subjective term) but perhaps we just want to talk to you first. I enjoy speaking with prospective clients and educating them on what I offer. Finding out what a prospect’s photographic needs and desires are interests me greatly. Also, if I can’t provide what they want/need then I can probably refer them to someone who can. One other thing to remember when using price as your most important item is that you (oftentimes) get what you pay for.
3. If style is your number one concern, then this makes searching much more fun. Perhaps it’s just me but I think looking for beautiful images I like is way more pleasing than trying to find the right financial fit. I’m not saying that money is not important but at least you can see what you like and go from there. Using style as a major criterion allows you to discover what is pleasing to you. After you find what you like, then perhaps would be a good time to factor in the cost of what you want. One thing not to do is find a style you like but ask a different photographer to shoot that style because you like their price better. There may be photographers who will agree but there are some that won’t. My advice, find someone that will produce the style you want within your budget.
4. Location shouldn’t be a difficult task. I swear that I can’t throw a rock here in Atlanta without hitting another photographer. Photographers are literally everywhere! Besides, location is only an issue if you want studio photography. Since I travel to my clients’ homes that’s not really an issue for me. Wedding photographers always have to go to their clients’ locations, so no big deal for them.
5. Are you looking for digitals only? Printed products? A buyout of the copyright? Some of the answers will be on their website which others you may have to email or call. Just do you know, I only sell printable digitals with a package and mainly focus on printed products. Oh and no, I do not offer a copyright buyout. I can provide you with a print release that will allow you to print them but that’s the extent of it.
6. Regardless of whether you want a man or woman photographing you and your loved ones, I believe you need to talk to them first. Either over the phone or in person. For me, building a rapport with my clients is a big deal. I feel there needs to be good chemistry in order to produce beautiful images. I don’t know about you but it’s difficult for me to work with someone that I don’t feel comfortable with. Considering that photography has such a very personal nature to it, I would want everyone involved to be comfortable and for my clients to actually trust me and my talent. In addition to this, you must make sure that the photographer that you select is proficient in what they do. What makes a photographer professional is their ability to create beautiful images repeatedly. We don’t do one-offs or lucky shots. We are consistent in what we do and we can consistently replicate the making of beautiful, technically proficient images.
7. For some people, culture or even race is an important criterion to have. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong. I’m just stating it as fact. There are many reasons as to why this might be. If it’s important to you, then that’s what you should find. In the case of wedding photography, if you have a nonwestern culture wedding, I would suggest looking at those photographers who specialize in cultural weddings. Just a thought.

I think that’s it. I hope that has been helpful. If I left anything out, I would love for someone to add other factors that are important. I still think you need to make sure that one of those criteria is to find a photographer that you like. It’s so much easier to work with someone you like than someone you either dislike or just tolerate because they are talented. Just my two cents. Anyway, happy hunting and good luck!