You’re ready to say cheese, but how do you first find the right photographer to make it happen?
Just about anyone with a camera and a website can claim to be a professional photographer, but they don’t all have the skills to deliver results. If you’re planning to hire a photographer for a wedding, graduation, or milestone birthday, it helps to do your research before hiring someone.
To find out more, keep reading to find our top tips for choosing the right photographer, ensuring you get amazing images from your upcoming event.
Work Out You Needs
Before you hire a studio for photography, spend some time thinking about what you need.. For example, if you’re hiring someone for an event, do you need them for the duration of the event, or just for an hour or two?
Also, do you need a video of the event or just photos? These factors will determine how much you’ll pay and will also help you work out which photographer has the best skillset for your needs.
You’ll also be happier with your photos if you spend the time in advance to work out what you want from your shoot.
Ask for Recommendations
When it’s time to find a photographer, don’t neglect your own networks! Many people hire photographers for all sorts of reasons, including birthdays, weddings, and events.
This means that many people you know have hired a local photographer and can probably give some great recommendations. Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues and ask if they know of anyone.
Local community Facebook groups can also be a good source of information.
Read Plenty of Reviews
The talent of a photographer is subjective, with everyone having a different opinion as to which styles they like. However, other skills of the photographer, such as punctuality and customer service, are less subjective.
To find out more about what it’s really like to work with a particular photographer, you need to read reviews. Search on Google and Facebook for more information from previous clients, giving you valuable insight into their work ethic.
If a photographer doesn’t have any testimonials on their website, feel free to ask if they’d be willing to share details of past clients to help you learn more.
Of course, you’ll also want to look through a photographer’s portfolio, letting you see examples of their work and abilities.
Find Examples of Work You Love
As part of your prep, it helps to look at plenty of photos to give you a better idea of what you like. This will make it easier to find a photographer who offers that style of work, plus you’ll make their job easier by providing them with clear guidance.
For example, if you’re getting married, look at other examples of wedding photography. Are you drawn to minimalist, black and white shots, or do you enjoy soft, ethereal images?
This is also true for glamour photography—find styles you like and show them to your photographer as inspiration. Glamour-photography.net.au can be a good starting point.
Understand the Photographer’s Fee Structure
Photography pricing can vary wildly, so always make sure you understand the fee structure before hiring anyone. This is especially true for wedding photography, which can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
However, for smaller events, like a backyard birthday, you can usually hire someone for far less.
Most photographers will offer packages, offering a set amount of shooting time and a set number of edited photographs after. You’ll usually pay extra for printed images, photo albums, drone footage, or video.
To avoid miscommunication, get a clear outline of the fees and then sign a contract, which clearly explains what you’ll get for your money. This should also include a date when you’ll receive your final images, plus any cancellation policies.
Put Time into Planning Your Outfit and Location
To get amazing photos, you need to be prepared. Plan in advance what you’ll wear and where the photo shoot will take place.
If you’re unsure, your photographer should be able to offer plenty of suggestions on things like where to shoot, how to do your hair, and which color clothing will look best.
Ask Plenty of Questions
Your photographer is someone you’ll be working with for several hours, so you want to find someone you click with. Before hiring, have an initial consultation or phone call and ask plenty of questions.
You want to get more detail about their way of working, experience, professionalism, and how they handle challenging situations. Then, decide for yourself, is this someone I can see myself working with?
It helps to trust your instinct, as this will help you find someone you’re comfortable working with. Remember, if you feel at ease in front of the camera, you’re going to get more natural and relaxed images.
Use These Tips to Find the Best Professional Photographer
If you need to hire a professional photographer, the advice above is sure to help. The key to finding the right person is doing plenty of research—if you take your time, you’re sure to find the right person for the job.
Once you find someone to hire, they will likely ask for a deposit in advance. Once paid, your photoshoot will be locked in—get ready to make some beautiful memories!
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