How to Choose the Right Photographer

Choosing the right photographer is crucial to capturing the images you want. Whether you are preparing for a professional headshot, a family portrait or an artistic shoot, the photographer you select will play a huge role in the final product. With so many options available, it’s important to know what to look for to ensure you get the best results.

We’ll provide tips on how to find a photographer whose style and expertise match your needs, whether you're aiming for a more traditional look or something more contemporary and creative. Here are some non-negotiables when it comes to selecting the perfect photographer for your shoot

1. Determine Your Needs 

Before you begin reaching out to photographers, identify your photography needs. Do you need family photography or updated headshots for your linkedin and work profiles? Going through the first step of understanding why you are seeking a professional photographer gives you an ideal starting point and will ultimately help you find the best fit for your needs.. 

2. Review Their Portfolio

This seems like the most obvious thing to do, but this step is often overlooked the most. It is crucial to determine if the photographer can deliver the style you are looking for. This step will help you get an idea of the photographer’s experience, their signature style and the quality of work they perform.  

If there is no work in his/her portfolio that is similar to what you are looking for, it would be best to keep looking for other photographers.

3. Get a Quote

Photography pricing will vary depending on the photographer. This is because photographers price their work on many different factors including years of experience, quality of work, location, services offered and equipment. Before hiring a photographer, it is important to know what you will pay and what services your payment will cover (eg. length of photoshoot, number of final images, number of edits, when will you receive final edits etc). Not all photographers will list their pricing online, so you will have to reach out to the photographer directly to get an accurate quote. Make sure you compare pricing as you conduct your research.

4. Get to Know the Photographer

We will reiterate here that not every photographer runs his/her business in the same way so there will be many differences from one photographer to another. For many photographers, getting the quote requires a phone call. If the quote was received through email or another means of communication, we recommend scheduling a phone call, a virtual meeting or in person meeting. Along with discussing your vision for your portrait photography session and getting pricing, this is the perfect opportunity to get to know the person or team you will be working with. This step is great for building rapport and getting to know your photographer's personality and their level of professionalism. This step will go a long way to determining if the photographer will be the right fit for you.

5. What Have Their Clients Said?

Some photographers will have reviews and testimonials from past clients on their website making it easy to get an idea of what others think of the photographer. In some cases, you will have to ask the photographer for references. This step will help you assess how your initial impression from meeting the photographer compares to past client experiences. Is the photographer reliable? Are clients satisfied with the experience and final product? This type of feedback will help shape your expectations for the photoshoot. 

Depending on your needs, location might be a deciding factor in selecting a photographer. Where is the photographer located? Are they local? Do you have to travel to them or vice-versa? Are there travel related costs? Most importantly, do you have access to this photographer?

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right photographer requires you to take time and perform due diligence. All the above steps set the stage for you to manage your expectations including but not limited to: what you will pay, what services you will receive, what your experience could be like, what your final product will be and when you will receive it. Following these steps will help you find the right professional photographer for your needs.

Ready to Start Your Session?

Reach out today info@justportray.com and schedule a consultation to bring your vision to life!