{4 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Photographer} : Raleigh NC Photography
It seems like everyone knows someone who is a photographer these days. Some are just starting out, some have been in business a while, and some just do it as a side hustle. If you’re in any number of mom groups on Facebook, the number of posts that will ask, “looking for a XYZ photographer,” is never ending. But, choosing a photographer is not an easy task. If you don’t ask the right questions, or you don’t choose the right one for you, you may be left feeling a little discouraged when you get your images back. Here are 4 questions I think are important when booking a photographer.
What is your specialty?
This is an important one. Sure, there are people who are jacks of all trades who like to shoot a little bit of everything… but you know what they say about a jack of all trades… (A: master of none). They may be good with a camera but if you’re looking for something specific, it is important to choose someone who specializes in that subject. For example, a newborn photographer should understand how to handle newborns safely. They should know how to pose or wrap them so that they are not harmed. They should know how to position them so that the light hits them in a flattering way. Someone who primarily shoots weddings and does very few newborns may not have the confidence or the skills in tackling that job. Likewise, I am primarily a newborn & family photographer. I don’t shoot seniors. I am not really good with posing in interesting/commerical-type ways. It isn’t my thing. I always pass them on to a photographer who I know is really good at senior photography. Likewise, would you trust someone who has shot very few weddings to capture the most important day of your life? That’s for you to decide! Go through the rest of these questions to see if they’re a good fit.
2. What is your price range?
Ah yes.. the question that usually comes first. And the answer is not “an arm and a leg.” Everyone has a different budget for photography just like everyone has a different budget for a house or a car. It doesn’t make anyone less deserving of great pictures, but it is something to keep in mind when shopping for photographers. Photographers set their prices much like any person who performs a trade. It is usually based on experience, equipment, and training. There will always be photographers who are more inexpensive than others. The trade off might be that the quality is not as high, the communication is not great, and the overall experience isn’t personalized. BUT, if you’re just looking for someone to take a photograph, these things might not mean that much to you.
3. What is included?
All images? A set number of images? Only prints? Nothing? These details are important. Every photography business has a different business structure that works for the photographer. Some photographers like to collect a small deposit and have the client pay the rest before/at the session. Some photographers charge a session fee which is just the payment for the session & editing time. And, some photographers charge the whole fee upfront. Whichever the case is, make sure you are aware of the policies & what the fee covers. Does the photographer deliver images in an online gallery or do you meet with the photographer after the fact to choose your images? Is there a minimum purchase requirement after your session? Is basic retouching included or is each image fine art hand edited? Are you able to choose your digital images from a full gallery or does the photographer choose which images you receive? All of these are important questions when determining which photographer you choose, based on what your preferences are.
4. How would you describe your style?
There is nothing more upsetting when you see your photos and they do not match the vision you had in your head. Most of the time, this is due to style. Style of posing & editing make a huge difference in what the final product will look like. Do you want someone who is very directive in terms of posing, or do you want someone to just sit back and capture all your candid moments? Do you want traditional portraits, or something that evokes the emotion of real life? Are you a fan of light and airy photos or are you drawn to more moody & contrasty images? In terms of newborns, do you want someone to pose your baby in traditional (naked) newborn poses & props, or do you prefer a more relaxed approach? You should not book a photographer who has one style, expecting them to shoot a style you would prefer. It just doesn’t work. You should be able to determine the photographer’s style based on their social media or webpage posts. If the majority of images that you see match your idea, you should be a good fit. My style is very minimalistic and natural. I love a good neutral color palette, so my use of color is sporadic. I wouldn’t expect someone to book me who wanted an overly stylized newborn shoot with a lot of color. Not my jam. In addition, I like my outdoor images to be very true to real life. I am not a oversaturated editor, and I don’t overly photoshop any images. The orange/brown/dark edits is not my style so if it is yours, I can refer you to someone great. ;)
Hopefully these tips help you narrow down the job of finding the perfect fit for your family!
-Amy
