Choosing a photographer can be daunting. If you ask for recommendation from friends, you will always get a million and one different answers. In addition, each photographer has different business models they follow, different pricing structures etc. So how do you choice? Here are some tips and things to consider that can help you pick the right one.
- Know your budget!!! If you have a low budget then you can eliminate mid-higher end ‘togs.
- VIEW THE WORK OF ANY PHOTOGRAPHER YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. Please do not book a photographer without seeing their work first! .
- Decide what style you are wanting. If you want “light and airy” then you can eliminate photographers that don’t do light and airy. If you want something creative and out of the box, then its best to find one that is creative and can step out the box.
- What kind of session do you want? Family, solo, Senior portraits, Boudoir, Wedding? Whatever it is, it d be best to find a ‘tog that specializes in the kind of session you want.
- Decide what products that you d like from the shoot. Are you wanting digitals only or print or maybe a combo of both? Some photographers don’t give digitals. Some ONLY do digitals and leave it up to you to have them printed.
- Do you prefer to pay a smaller session fee upfront and then order your prints/products separately. Do you prefer to pay “x” amount for “x” images/prints/products/packages? This is a big thing to think about. Always ask the photographer about their business model.
- Where do you want to do your photos? Outside or studio? If a ‘tog you are interested in doesn’t have a studio and you want studio shots, then that can also help you narrow down your choices.
- Will you use your photos for personal use or commercial use? These are 2 different things and require 2 different contracts. If you are using them for commercial ( promote a biz etc) then the photographer ( if they are legit) will require a commercial contract, where they license you the use of the images for a certain amount of time. Commercial use is normally at a higher cost. If your goal is to legit promote your brand/biz/service, then may want to lean towards ‘togs that specialize in branding photography. However, If you just want personal use, then you will just sign a standard personal use contract. You cannot rightfully use a “personal use photo” for commercial use. (You are free to google this if you don’t believe me.)
- Make a list of all of the above and any details that are important to you. Discuss these things with the photographer(s) that you are interested in. Be clear, specific and upfront about what you d like and what your expectations are. Listen to your gut when talking to them.
- NEVER and I mean NEVER sign a photographer’s contract without reading it first. Even if the photographer is your BFF. Contracts are legally binding documents that hold up in court. IF you sign it without reading it and you end up breaching the contract, the photographer can hold you liable for that. Telling the judge that you didn’t read the contract before you signed it, isn’t going to work in your favor. If there is something in the contract that you don’t like or understand then discuss it with the photographer BEFORE you sign the contract. Please, please don’t just sign the contract without knowing what you are getting yourself into and/or having all your questions answered.
- AVOID ANY PHOTOGRAPHER that doesn’t use proper contracts!! This leaves you without any kind of protection in case something goes wrong!!! Contracts don’t just protect the photographer, they also help to protect you too! For example: If they tell you that it will take 2 weeks to deliver the photos and you still don’t have them 3 months later, what can you legally do without a signed contract? Nothing, thats what-you will be screwed.
- Speaking of contracts, ask the photographer if they use model releases. A photographer is not supposed to use someones images, on their website and/or commercially, without a signed model release! If they are using a clients image without a release, then they can very well do the same to you. DO NOT let a photographer tell you that you have to sign a model release. IT IS AN OPTION. You have the right to your privacy and to say no if you do not want your images made public or if you don’t want the photographer to use them to promote their business.
*Alway remember that the photographer holds the copyright to all the images they take-even yours. As a matter of fact, the very same copyright laws that protect musicians, writers and other creators are the very same copyright laws that protect photographers. You can google this too if you don’t believe me.
So, as you can see, picking a photographer is not easy. Just like buying a car, house or anything else important, you have to find the one that works best for you and fits your needs. The ‘tog that your BFF, momma, brother or sister used, may have been great for them but that does not necessarily mean that they will be the right one for you.
I hope that this helps someone!
Peace & love,
~Tiffany
TMatt Photography