How To Find The Right Photographer For You

How do you find the right photographer for you? Well first let me take it back, does this sound familiar?

You got your friend’s recommendation for a photographer, you get their price list and you book your session. A couple weeks later you are viewing your photos and discussing print options and you realize the price you paid didn’t come with everything you dreamed…..what went wrong??

Let me help you find the perfect photographer for you

As a photographer, I take for granted that not everyone looks at packages and other photographer’s price lists all day. Also, I think a lot of photographers are guilty of using photo ‘lingo’ and assumptions. So I want to give you tips that you can use to CLEARLY communicate with your photographer, to make both of your lives much easier and have a happy ending.

1. Does the photographer charge what we call a ‘session fee’ or ‘booking fee’ and if so what does that include exactly? A lot of photographers charge a session fee to reserve your spot and cover their shooting and editing time. This fee usually doesn’t come with any actual images which is where the common misconception happens! There will often be collections or packages on top of the session fee in order to receive the actual images. Or your photographer may just do one standard price that includes images, just be sure to ask.
2. Are there any time limits or wardrobe limits to your session?
   • Bonus question: Does the photographer offer a pre-consultation of any type?
3. What contract or model release do I need to sign? If the photographer is a seasoned one, they should be presenting you with a contract and model release to sign that protects both of you prior to your session.
4. Retouching Expectations!!! This one is a doosey! ASK what the photographer is willing to edit. Example: hair fly-aways? A blemish? Swap heads (if family portraits)? Wrinkles in clothes? Editing is a big time factor for photographers and greatly eats into their workflow and profits, plus editing ability plays a large role. Please just clarify with the photographer the editing expectations and limits that comes with your photography package.
5. Is their a minimum order? Does your photographer offer payment plans?
6. What is their timeline for you to be able to see your photos? This can cause a lot of frustration for you as a client and added pressure on the photographer if this isn’t discussed beforehand.
7. If you are buying digital images, be sure the photographer explains the print release you should receive on how to print and use those digital images.
8. Don’t be afraid to explain to your photographer what you are most insecure about, odds are you are not the only one and the photographer will know how to work around it!
9. How are you going to view and receive your images? Do you have the capabilities and comfortability of downloading your images? Do you need fast pace internet? etc…
10. BE OPEN! Every photographer is different and runs their business differently, so if you have worked with multiple photographers or if this is your first time, please just ask questions and let the photographer pamper you with (hopefully) exceptional service and images!

Have more tips? Please leave them down in the comments below!

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my advice, so if you are interested in getting a FREE pdf checklist of questions to ask your photographer to print out and use just sign up here and your download will arrive in your inbox shortly!