Does hiring a professional photographer feel daunting? Let's make this easy!
Tip 1) Portfolio of the photographer:
Review the photographers website and social media accounts. Check their website for professionalism and pay attention to the images in their portfolios. Do you like the way they handle different lighting scenarios? Do you like the way they pose their subjects? What type of emotions do you feel while viewing their images? Think about the story you want your photographer to tell of your own family. Does this photographer's style align with what you are envisioning?
Head over to their social media accounts. This is where you should see their latest work posted and what they are currently working on. Is their work consistent across both platforms of their website and social media accounts?
Tip 2) Specialty:
What is the photographers speciality?
If you are looking to hire someone to photograph your newborn, an amazing pet photographer won't necessarily be the best fit. Likewise, a product photographer may not be the best senior photographer. You want to hire a photographer that specializes in the type of photography that you are looking to hire.
Tip 3) Personality of the photographer:
When hiring a photographer, it's really important that you like their personality. The way they interact with you and your family will either put you at ease or make you uncomfortable. Those emotions will show in your images! This is where it is so important to meet your photographer before you hire them. We like to have an initial phone conversation but then we go one step further in helping you feel more comfortable during the photo session by having a design session beforehand. This design session is where we get to meet, chat about life, design exactly what you are looking for in your images before the actual session. It's a chance to connect and trust that we will help you get gorgeous new portraits where you look comfortable.
Tip 4) Professionalism:
Is the photographer operating a legal business? This is such an important question because there are many locations that require a permit to photograph. In order to obtain many permits, the photographer must submit proof of insurance. In order to have proof of insurance, they must be a legally operating business with a business licence from their city and an EIN from the government. A professional photographer will have all of those things: EIN, business license, and insurance. They will also do their due diligence in making sure if the location needs a permit.
Another aspect of professionalism is contracts. A contract serves to protect both you and the photographer. It is an agreement of what is expected by both the photographer and the client. It will outline many import details. Make sure you have a contract with your photographer.
Tip 5) Business Model:
Shoot and burn and In-Person Sales (IPS) are the two most common business models in photography. A shoot and burn photographer will meet you the day of the session, take the photos and then deliver your images to you in an online gallery. The relationship ends there. They typically offer minimal assistance in designing print products and leave the printing up to the client to navigate on their own.
An IPS photographer builds a relationship with you at the booking session to help you achieve an end goal of printing with them. They have access to the best labs that aren't available at the consumer level. They have advanced knowledge of the art products they sell but most importantly they have a deep love for print. It's not about selling for many of these photographers, like here at Jenee Cook Photography, it's about the knowledge that the client and photographer are creating heirloom pieces of art. It's about an experience of holding in your hands portraits of the people you love the most. There is nothing in a digital only delivery that compares to walking by professionally framed portraits in your home everyday or flipping through a fine-art album.
You just need to choose which model works best for your needs.
Tip 6) Education and training:
What is the education and training of the photographer? If you are hiring a newborn photographer, you want someone that is trained and experienced in newborn photography safety.
Don't be afraid to ask, but typically most photographers that have had classic training the information can be found on their About Me pages.
Tip 7) Read their reviews:
It's important to get an idea about past client experiences by reading their reviews. Reviews give you an idea of how the photographer runs their business, their skill level and their relationships with their clients.
Have more questions? Check out of FAQ page.