You've done the google search, solicited referrals from friends and asked around on social media and you have been OVERWHELMED with suggestions, so how do you choose the photographer who is right for you?
1. Look at their work
You need to decide what style of photography you would like. Do you want studio photos? Something formal and posed? Or would you like a more natural approach in a location of your choice?
Your very first step is to head on over to the photographers websites and look at their portfolios.
Do their photos make you stop and look again? I’m firmly of the view that great photography shouldn’t just look lovely, it should make you feel something, right in the pit of your stomach.
Can you see their work on your walls or in an album?
Does their style match your vision? (are their photos posed or more natural? Do they work from a studio or on location?)
Do they have a wide and varied portfolio? Are they posting regularly on social media? These sound like simple things but you want to know that the photographer you choose is able to consistently produce beautiful, high quality images with the same tone and feel.
2. Pricing - how much do they charge?
It is important you know how much your chosen photographer charges and exactly what you will get for your money.
Less experienced photographers and those building their portfolios may have a lower price point than photographers who have been in the business for a while.
Photographers at the top end of the pricing spectrum will have invested time and money in their education and equipment as well as editing techniques and knowledge. They will generally tailor a bespoke experience for you and your family, giving you lots of help and advice leading up to the shoot, with the option to choose high-end wall art or albums either as part of their pricing packages.
The most important thing here is that - regardless of price - you love the work of your chosen photographer. If you do not like what you see in their portfolio, you are unlikely to love what they produce for you.
Do you just want digital images? Or are you hoping for high-end wall art such as frames, canvases or albums? Have a careful look at your chosen photographers packages and make sure that they can provide you with what you are after.
3. What are they like?
This is really important. You need to be comfortable with the person who is pointing a camera in your face for an hour or two, so get to know them. Are they someone you feel comfortable spending time with?
I personally want my families to feel relaxed and at ease in front of my camera. I want them to have fun and almost forget I am there because that is what generates the photos you see in my portfolio. Of course I have lots of tips and tricks to get those lovely, natural photos but I also make a real effort to get to know the families I am photographing well before we have our shoot.
I always encourage prospective clients to have a look at my Instagram and Facebook pages and follow along for a week or two to get an idea of how I work and what I am like as a person. As well as examples of my work, I often post ‘behind the scenes’ videos and images in my Instagram and Facebook stories. Like most photographers, I put my heart and soul into planning, carrying out and editing your family photoshoot and I love showing you how I work (and just how much I really adore my job!)
If you aren’t on social media, then why not call your chosen photographer? Most photographers will be happy to talk about how they work and what their sessions are like and what you can expect from them.
Are you looking for natural family images? Click below to see more about who I am and how I work
