Choosing the Right Photographer for You | An Outdoors Family Session

Mar 19

With so many photographers out there, how do you make sure you pick the right one for YOU?

Believe it or not, this is one of my most asked questions and something I’ve personally struggled with when looking for someone to photograph my own family (yes, even photographers need their own photographers!).

Here are some of the things I recommend you look for and that I take into consideration for my business and relationship with my clients:

Your Vision: First, it’s good to have some sense of what you are looking for. Come up with a broad vision for your photos. Do you want traditional images of your family in a studio? Do you want outdoor photos in a field or urban setting? Would you prefer to have a casual lifestyle session at home?
Their Style: Look at the photographer’s website or Instagram. Does their style match yours? If you are looking for posed newborn pictures in baskets and cute knitted outfits, but the Instagram feed displays mainly couple sessions, then this may not be the right match for you.
Body of work: do their images “speak to you”? Do they make you feel something, and is that how you want to feel during your session?
Experience: visit the “About” section of their website to learn more about the photographer. If you have young children or babies, you may want to hire someone with plenty of experience interacting with them. Also, is the photographer’s style consistent enough on their work that you are sure they will deliver on your photos?
Value add: visit the “Experience” or “FAQ” section of the website that tells you more about how the photographer will work with you and your family. You are not just buying photos; you are also getting an experience. Look at any added services that are offered. Will the photographer work with you to design the photoshoot? Will they assist with outfit selection? Will they visit your house prior to an in-home session? Some of these things may be important to you.
Professionalism: are they prompt at responding to communications? Before signing a contract, have a phone call with the photographer. If nothing else, the call will tell volumes about the photographer’s personality and professionalism. If you feel at ease with them via email or phone, odds are you will be at ease during your session.
Cost: Think about how much you want to spend. As in any industry, photographers come at various price tags, and to find the right match you should know what you are willing to pay. Some photographers will display their pricing on their websites, while others will have statements such as “packages start at X amount.” For others, you may need to reach out first to receive this information.
Service area: This one seems obvious, but you want to select a photographer that provides service in your area. For example, I work in Chicago and the Northeastern suburbs and am willing to travel beyond for an additional travel fee.

One more tip: while you want to find someone that can be somewhat flexible to adapt to your vision, you also cannot dictate the photographer’s style and force them to take images that are not in line with their style. You wouldn’t ask Picasso to paint like Van Gogh, and the same applies to a photographer. They will work best when they can photograph by following their creative instincts, and you will also be happier with the results.

Am I the right photographer for you? I hope so! If not, that’s okay. I want my clients to be 1000% happy with their experience and the images they receive. If I am not be the right fit, I still hope you find this information valuable in measuring other photographers you might be looking at.