how to find the perfect photographer in 5 steps
Choosing a photographer can be a difficult task, after all there is so many to choose from, how do you know if you are choosing well? There is so much offer on the market that we can end up feeling lost and completely overwhelmed. But it doesn't have to be that way!
Here's how you can ensure you choose the perfect photographer for you in just 5 steps:
1. Be sure to have a clear idea of the type of photography you are looking for
Photography is a huge universe and is divided into several categories and sub-categories. It is extremely important that you are clear about what you are looking for before even starting the search. Is it portrait photography, food photography, product photography, fashion photography, commercial photography...? What are you really looking for? If you define this point well, the rest of the process will be much easier as you will already be looking for what is really most important to you.
2. Look for someone who specializes in the type of photography you are looking for
Although the technical bases of photography are common to all types of photography, the truth is that within each category a lot changes. A photographer who spends 90% of his time photographing food may know enough to shoot a maternity session, but that's not his specialty. It's a bit like doctors: they all have notions of general medicine but if we need an ophthalmologist we certainly won't turn to a cardiologist, right? With photographers it's exactly the same. You deserve an incredible experience and an end result that matches what you envisioned, so choose an expert in your field and don't settle for less!
Here’s an example of the difference between and indoor photoshoot vs outdoor photoshoot ⤴
3. Analyze portfolios
Choose 3 to 4 photographers and analyze their portfolios in depth. Even within a category there can be several differences.
Every photographer is unique and that's why results can vary greatly not only between photographers but even within a single photographer's portfolio. For example: I’m specialized in portrait photography and my style is based on dark tones, outdoor photography and mostly in a forest environment. Despite this I also photograph portraits in the city or indoors, for example, and although the base is the same the truth is that different environments are equivalent to different types of light which will automatically bring different tones to the final photograph (see the example above).
It is extremely important that you keep this in mind when reviewing each photographer's portfolio. In what environment would you like to photograph? Indoors or outdoors? Is it in a studio? In the middle of nature? In the city? Understand what is more in line with what you idealized and try to understand if those photographers meet your requirements.
4. Actually get to Know the photographers
It is possible that by now you have reduced the list of potential photographers to just 2 or 3 and it is extremely important that you and the professionals you choose to work with share the same moral and ethical values, otherwise there is a high probability that in the in the end, the experience is just painful.
Depending on the type of session you choose, this can be a very intimate and even vulnerable experience and it is therefore important that you trust the professional you choose not only professionally but also as a person. Otherwise you run the risk of feeling super uncomfortable during the whole experience which will contribute to a bad end result.
Invest in reading about the photographer's history: what are their origins and life story? How is their personality? Interests that you and them might have in common? This will make you feel much more confident in your final choice, knowing that on the day of the session you will be 100% comfortable. Here it can help to look for reviews from previous customers. This will allow you to have an idea of what to expect from that professional from the perspective of someone who has already gone through this experience, thus validating the opinion that you have been forming about that photographer in the meantime.
5. Time to ask for quotes
I recommend that by now you only have 2-3 photographers on your list of potential professionals. If you have a very large list, this will make the final decision harder (in addition to taking more time to ask everyone for quotes). You will certainly already have a budget in mind, however, it can happen that this budget is unrealistic (especially if this is the first time you are looking for a similar service). Money is something that is very emotional and that's why it's important not to despair if budgets are above what you initially expected.
It is not recommended that you make a decision based solely on price. Unfortunately, I've heard many unhappy stories from clients and even friends and family who chose their photographers based solely on the cheapest price they found and later regretted not only the lack of quality of the final product but also the whole experience. Please note that I'm not saying that all photographers who charge €30 or 50€ for a session are bad photographers! What I am saying is that choosing a professional solely based on that factor is very likely to result in a bad experience. All the points mentioned above are as important or even more important than the price itself.
We don't have to blow the family budget for a photo shoot! And that's exactly why this should be a well-considered decision because sometimes cheap in the end means more expensive and that's not what you want, is it? Sometimes it is better to wait a little longer and save some money to invest in a quality product and service than to spend little on something that in the end will make us have to look for another professional again, thus doubling the investment. Remember, price and value are different things ;)
I hope this article was helpful and that it helps you find the perfect photographer!
See you in the next article,
Patricia
