Ask your friends and family for recommendations, explore websites and find reviews. The more photographers you compare, the more chance you have of finding a gem. Don't ask in a Facebook group; you will probably be disappointed.
We all know someone who “takes pictures” but taking great photos on vacation and understanding how to create a great shot, interacting with clients, getting the lighting perfect and editing photos are skills that require training and require experience. Don't just hire someone who thinks they're a photographer; Hire a professional photographer with a proven track record.Check out their websites, portfolios and reviews. Real photographers have a website.
Confirm in the same way as in point 2 the work of the photographer. For consistency, references, education and experience. Everyone has to start somewhere, but having someone experienced in the field is essential for the best results. Ask if the prospective photographer has any training in art, photography or photo editing as this can make a huge difference in the quality of the final product.
If you find testimonials online, read them carefully. You can ask to contact previous customers to ask about the experience. Satisfied customers can tell you exactly what they liked about working with the photographer. This will give you an insight into the creative process. You can learn a lot about a professional photographer by talking to clients.
Visit the photographer's website and social media to view his portfolio. Does the photography style match your vision for the final images? Do you like the colour changes and edits? Are whites white and blacks black? Do you prefer natural light or flash? If the style is completely different from yours, you won't be happy with the results. Make sure you choose a photographer whose photos you think are great so you're more likely to love your photos too.
Once you've narrowed your search to a few prospects, request a consultation. You must be able to communicate freely and easily with your photographer so that by speaking to candidates in person or over the phone you can get an idea of ??how their personalities mesh. If you are comfortable on the phone, chances are you will be perfectly comfortable during the session. Make sure the photographer is relaxed with you too. Take the time to explain what type of photos you want and make sure the photographer is familiar with children, babies, and pets if they are in the shots.
Focus on the photographer's specialty. Like other professions, photographers tend to specialize in one of two areas of photography: weddings, pregnancy, and new-borns. , families, portraits, landscapes, nature, etc. Wedding photographers for example may not be the best option to photograph your new-born. Likewise, someone who specializes in nature photography may not be the ideal partner to photograph your wedding. Find a photographer who specializes in the type of images you want.
The best photographers also know how to edit photos to perfection. However, not all editors are the same. Ask about editing software and the photographer's skills, and state your expectations. Are you looking for minimal editing, extensive editing, or something in between? You want to make sure the photographer you choose can meet your needs both behind the lens and during editing.Each photographer has a different style of editing that they offer their clients.
It can be tempting to choose the photographer who charges less, but often the lower price reflects a deficiency ability and experience. Photographers are paid what they are worth and what it takes to run a business. Also, ask about hidden fees: Does the initial cost include editing, printing, and other services, or are there additional services for each? You don't have to break the bank to pay for a quality photographer, but you must be willing to spend a reasonable amount to ensure you get the best possible result.
Especially when hiring a portrait photographer, location is everything. Ask the photographer about her favourite locations to shoot, or if she has a specific location in mind, see if that location is a good fit for your project. Make sure the website is perfect. You can also make sure that the area is what you want. Finally, check if there are any additional costs for the photographer to travel to your chosen location.