1. EDITING STYLE
Editing is a craft. I spend hours culling down albums finding the best photos from each shoot. I retouch every image multiple times to perfect lighting and coloring while also photo-shopping out any distracting details or imperfections. You could say a photographer’s editing style is almost like their signature and can take years to develop. It’s not often that a photographer is able to edit in multiple styles, nor would they typically desire to. Finding someone that produces work that looks similar to what you like is a great place to start.
2. UP TO DATE
Choosing someone that is staying up to date on styling trends, gear, finding new locations to shoot, and other industry knowledge may or may not be a priority to you. Some prefer more straight-forward photographers and others prefer someone more detailed-oriented. There is never a wrong opinion, but some of these traits may be important for you to look out for in the selection process.
3. PERSONALITY
We’ve all had our fair share of friends and colleagues in our lives. Some you just click with off the bat, and some don't end up aligning with your values. Over the years you start to develop a good judge of character. Use that to your advantage. Select a professional that feels like a friend. Hiring someone you would be friends with will make you feel more comfortable through the entire process, and show in the end result.
4. EXPERIENCE
With almost 15 years of experience, I've had the opportunity to shoot a variety of things. Not every photographer comes with that much experience. Paying attention to where their knowledge lies and making sure they are comfortable with the subject matter you are looking for them to shoot should definitely be on your list of questions to ask up front.
5. PRICE
This might be the first place your mind goes when narrowing down a professional to work with. I would challenge you to take a look at your budget and factor in how much a proper photographer will cost you. Whether you are planning your special day or orchestrating a product launch, the images are all you have when you walk away from the shoot. In the case of a wedding, this is not a place I would try to save on cost. Your photographer is the one person (outside of a videographer) that can capture and bring your memories to life.
6. EXPERIMENTATION
Find someone that is willing to try new things. Not every shot has to be ground breaking, but finding new angles, creative lighting, and styling can make a handful of shots stick out, and make all difference in your album.
7. MOST OF ALL:
FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN TELL YOUR STORY
In the era of the iPhone, it's rare to feel the need to hire a photographer for simple projects. But, when you do, I recommend finding someone that can take your idea, run with it, and also stay true to who you are/your love story/or who your brand is.. That’s unique and worth hiring.
Thinking through some of the qualities outlined above and finding someone that possesses the ones you’d prefer will be sure to land you the right photographer.
Comments