THE COMPLETE GUIDE THAT MAKES HIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS SIMPLE
Hiring a professional photographer can be a challenge. The number of photographers out there means you’ll have plenty to choose from, but not all photographers are right for every job.
Finding that one photographer who can interpret your vision to give you precisely what you want isn’t always easy. That’s why you’ll want to spend a few minutes reading our guide to hiring photographers.
We’ve put together a few simple steps designed to help you find the ideal professional for your projects. Hint: The make and model of their photography equipment is the least essential factor.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER
Narrowing down your choices starts with you, the client. Consider working through a list of questions that you ask yourself from the photographer’s point of view.
Determine the nature of your project. What do you want the photographer to shoot, and how many images do you need?
Will the photographer shoot individual or group shots? Will you need help with wardrobe, hair, and make-up?
Most photographers can work out of a studio or on location. For on-location shoots, consider travel fees because it’s likely your photographer will need to calculate travel into the final cost of their services.
The photographer you hire will need to know about your time requirements. Make sure you both understand when you need to job complete and what to do about potential delays.
These are just a few questions professional photographers ask clients. They’re the basics. Photographers you interview will likely have their own list of questions.
WHAT DOES A PHOTOGRAPHER DO?
You might think, “Okay, smarty, we know photographers shoot pictures,” but did you know most photographers specialize? Like other professional creative people, they usually choose a niche or two and focus on projects that fit their skillset.
For perspective, here are a few areas where photographers specialize:
Advertising
Architecture
Documentary
Editorial
Event
Food
Product
Portrait
Sports
Our earlier suggestions about understanding the nature of your project will help you determine the type of photographer you need. It will shorten the time you spend researching and help you narrow down the professionals you interview.
BUILDING RAPPORT WITH PROSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Your project determines how much interaction you’ll have with your photographer. For example, you’ll want a photographer who likes people if you’re hiring them to shoot your corporate event.
In the same vein, love for people might not matter as much for a product shoot.
Either way, you don’t want your personality to clash with your photographer’s, so take time to get to know them at least a little before you hire them for the job.
CONFIRM THEIR EXPERIENCE BEFORE HIRING
One thing you might not know is that learning the basics of shooting pictures isn’t too difficult. Just about anyone can follow step-by-step instructions, but that doesn’t make them a master at shooting photos.
That means you’ll run into a few photographers who know the basics but don’t produce quality images.
Make sure the photographer you hire knows their field. Knowledge comes from experience, but you can also confirm their knowledge by researching whether they offer photography workshops, teach courses, or write books on the subject of photography.
In addition to knowledge, they must have talent.
Before you hire a photographer, look at their portfolio and make sure you love their work. If you don’t love what they’ve done for other clients, or you’re looking for a specific style not represented in their portfolio, you probably won’t like the work they do for you.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS HAVE A WEBSITE
You’ve heard all your life that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. We all do it, and for the photographer, it’s hard not to judge their business by what you see on their website.
Nevertheless, a photographer’s online portfolio gives you a world of insight into whether they’re a good fit for your project.
If you’re looking for a photographer to shoot graduation or some other academic celebration, take note of what you see in the portfolio. Do you notice more of the same kinds of photos you see in every other photographer’s portfolio, or do you see a significant number of unique shots?
You don’t need to be a photographer yourself to appreciate the elements of excellent photography.
Review the portfolio and see if you can identify the subject of each photo. Pay attention to subject placement. Do the pictures feel awkward, or is composition balanced?
Pay attention to the way the photographer uses lighting and color.
You can find out quite a lot about a photographer from their online presence. Indeed, review their portfolio, but don’t forget their About Me page and testimonials from satisfied clients.
HOW DOES THE PHOTOGRAPHER HANDLE ESTIMATES AND CONTRACTS?
Once you finish the feel-good part of your research, which includes enjoying their stunning portfolio and building rapport, it’s time for the nitty-gritty of doing business together.
Remember, earlier, when we mentioned questions the photographer asks potential clients? Even though you’ve done a lot of work to put together your project details, a photographer should ask you even more questions to help them clarify what you need.
Afterward, they should give you an appropriate estimate and a contract that reflects how you will work together. Before you hire a photographer, you should understand the costs of their services.
Make sure your photographer also explains your rights to the final images. You’ll want to ensure the photographer you hire understands copyright laws and how to license the images to you properly.
If your project includes shooting individuals, groups, or products, you want the photographer to handle model and property releases correctly.
Pay close attention to the contract, and before you sign it, make sure you understand the cancellation clause.
READY TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER?
We hope our guide helped you as you considered the hiring process. Hiring photographers doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or stressful. The more legwork you do before you start interviewing, the easier time you’ll have selecting the ideal photographer for your project.
My team of professionals works with a variety of projects, including many of those listed in this article. We’d love to work with you! Contact us and schedule an appointment.