What you Should Know When Booking Photo Sessions
So! You’re looking for a photographer for your upcoming photo session but where do you start?
Let’s face it, there are a ton of people who can take photos, but who you choose to capture your memories is important as you’ll be looking at these images for years to come.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you choose someone. Some questions may include:
What type of session do you want? (Individual, Family, Friends, Couples, etc.)
What style do you like?
What do you expect to get with your session?
Are there specific images you want?
Do you want location shots, or in studio?
When do you want to shoot? (Pick a couple possible days as photographers may be busy)
Once you have considered all these things you can start looking at photographers. Instagram, Facebook, and Google are great places to look. Ensure you’re looking at people in your area. If you are looking elsewhere expect travel fees or a “sorry, I don’t service your area” type response.
When you find a photographer look at a lot of their images, this will help you ensure that like most of their images. If you find a photographer who seems to have multiple photography styles be sure to mention what you liked when you talk to them as they may have changed editing styles and no longer shoot the style that you like.
Booking your Photographer!
When booking your photographer there are a few things that set professional and amateur photographers apart. Ensure that you know which one you are hiring. You may choose to hire a photographer with less experience because the price is better but remember that they have less experience and as such may not be as consistent in their style yet.
Ensure your photographer gives you this information: (And if they don’t, ask. Sometimes we forget)
Retainer fee and other cost information.
Breakdown of when payment is due. Some photographers charge the full cost upfront others take a deposit to book your spot and the rest at another time.
What is included?
When you are to receive your images?
What happens if the weather is bad?
What happens if your images are lost?
All of the information listed above should be in a contract that both you and the photographer sign. This protects both parties in case of the unexpected happening.
With all these tips you need to remember that when you are hiring a photographer you are hiring a living breathing person. A person who is trying to make a living, and a life for their family. We all understand that budgets exist and they aren’t the same for everyone, but professionals have worked hard to set their prices to reflect the value of their work. When you ask from discounts you say you don’t value their work. If you love their work save for it. If you don’t love their work enough to save you need to find another photographer.