Let’s face it: getting your photos done by a professional photographer can be a blast! It’s so exciting thinking about seeing yourself in the best light you’ve ever seen, with your favorite people in your favorite location, knowing you’re in the best of hands for the whole journey. But no matter how you feel, you should know every step of the journey well before you ever set out on it. To keep you well prepared and excited, here are five things you should know before you select a photographer!
The Cost
Of course, hiring a professional photographer is always an investment, but you should make sure everything is crystal clear when talking money, to avoid any extra or hidden costs you weren’t aware of. When scouting out any prospective hires, scour their website for price listings. If nothing’s listed, shoot them an email. Be sure to ask questions, and never jump into anything you’re not sure about. Keep your budget in mind, but remember that these are precious keepsakes that you’re purchasing; treasures that you’ll have forever. How much are they worth?
The Style
Another big consideration is the style of the photographer. Now many, if not all photographers employ multiple styles in their pictures, and they’ll work with you to create a perfect blend of your vision for you shoot in their style. This means that you’ll want to be head-over-heels for their style, though, since there won’t be any way to remove their fingerprint from their own work. Be sure to look through their portfolio to get a good feel for their style, and if you’re not a big fan, don’t settle. Your portraits should be the perfect mix of their style and yours.
The Coverage
An important thing to ponder when selecting a photographer is how many hours of coverage they offer in a session. This doesn’t just help you plan out your day, it helps you know what to expect from a session. If a shoot is only a half hour, you can expect a bit more of a rushed experience than a more relaxed four-hour session. Often the packages the photographer offers will each have a different length to accommodate for different styles, but the longer ones, of course, will always cost more – so keep that in mind.
The Package
It’s the norm for a professional to offer multiple packages for their clients to choose from, so you’re in luck! They usually have a certain style, and include unique items along with it, so you can choose which one best fits you. They usually have different prices and session lengths, so some comparisons might be in order, but that’s the plus! For example, I give you a broad range, from lifestyle branding to indoor sessions, to documenstories, which lasts for 4-6 hours and gets you 200+ images, and a five-minute cinematic video. A good photographer will have a range of packages full of goodies like that, and it’ll just come down to you choosing your favorite one.
The Editing
Be sure to find out how many edited images are included in your selection, and when you’ll be able to view them. Ask what is included in editing, and what things are realistic (for example, will they edit skin tones or blemishes? Whiten teeth?). Asking lots of questions will make sure there are no surprises when it comes time for the big reveal!
All in all, getting professional portraits done is an investment in a precious commodity: your memories! It’s my passion to capture your favorite moments for you to enjoy forever, just how you want them. Contact me here to reserve your session!