When it comes to choosing a photographer, it's important to pick someone you click with. Whether you're looking for someone to capture your wedding day, annual family portraits, or maternity shots, it's vital that you find a photographer whose style and personality meshes well with your own.
Choosing the right photographer can be an extremely difficult decision. With an endless amount of options and hundreds of photographers to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down your choice and pick the perfect fit for your needs. In this article I'll be going over some ways to help you narrow down your decision and help you pick the perfect photographer!
Style
The firt thing to consider when looking for a photographer is style. I put style ahead of budgeting for a simple reason : if you don't like the style of the photographer, odds are you won't like your images, regardless of what you paid for them. You are better off narrowing down the style that you love and afterwards finding photographers in that style, that can work with your budget.
There are so many styles of photography available these days it's important to narrow down the one that resonnates the most with your vision. Are you looking for light & airy ? Dark & moody ? Bold & vibrant ? (If these don't mean a thing to you, I recommend checking out my other blog post : What do photographers mean by "style"?) Once you have an idea of what style you want, it's time to find a photographer who can help bring your vision to life.
The next thing to look at is portfolios. Portfolios are great because they give you an idea of what type of images the photographer can create during your sessions! Portfolios can be found in a variety of format these days. Some have them on their website, some stick to Instagram and others have a dedicated portfolios to share with potential clients. Don't be scared to ask to see some extra photos if you can't find exactly what you want in their published works.
Budget
The next thing to consider is budget. Photography can get pretty pricey...fast! It is very important to understand clearly what type of package the photographers are offering.
There are different type of pricing methods. Some photographers charge by the hour, some charge per photograph, and some charge a flat fee for their services. Whatever method they use, it's important that you understand how much everything will cost so there are no surprises later on down the road.
It is also important that the photographer understands what your budget is so they can help guide you towards the best options available within your price range.
COMPATIBILITY
Once you've decided on a photographer, make sure that you trust them and feel comfortable around them. Feeling comfortable around your photographer will transcend beautifully through your images. It will be very evident. If you are uncomfortable with something or don't like how they operate their business then it's time to move on and find someone else.
The reason why this is so important is because when you get in front of the camera for your session, it is an emotional experience for everyone involved (including the photographer). You want to feel comfortable enough around your photographer that any nervousness goes away and allows you to truly be yourself. You want the photographer to understand what makes you tick so they can capture all of those special moments while they happen (not after they have passed).
Your photographer should be someone who knows how to make people feel comfortable in front of the camera but also knows how to make them feel relaxed at the same time (this makes all the difference!).
Communication
It's important to have a conversation with your potential photographer about how they work with couples before booking them so that there are no surprises down the track! The communication aspect of your relation (because yes, you will develop a relationship with your photographer!) is fundamental in making sure that both parties are aware of the expectations and the end result.
This means having an open line of communication throughout the entire process. If one of you is not happy with something, it's better to address it straight away rather than letting it build up and cause issues later on.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when hiring a photographer:
Do you have a good vibe? Are our personnalities compatible ?
Do they seem like someone who will be able to capture the most special moments of your day?
Are they friendly and easy-going?
Do they listen carefully and understand what your needs are?
Do they answer all of your questions without hesitation?
Do they show up on time (or better yet, early!) for our consultation meeting?
Do they respond quickly to emails?
Do they provide samples of previous work so you can see his style in action?
Do they offer any recommendations for other vendors that would fit well with our style or budget?
All in all
All things considered, it is super important to consider these 4 elements when searching for your potential photographer. The style, budget, compatibility & communication : these elements can make a world of difference in the final product as well as your experience throughout the whole process.