What Should I look for in a Photographer?

Something comes up and you realize that you need to find a photographer. It could be a family reunion. Maybe it’s an event that you are putting together. Maybe you’re just finally getting around to having some portraits done. The reasons are endless, but the question remains: Which photographer? What should I look for? These are probably one of the most important questions that you will ask yourself. Remember, you want to memorialize a specific point in time so that you can share it with others and relive the joy it brought you.

Well, the answer is simple…and complicated. One thing to keep in mind is that photographers are like restaurants: many varieties at many price ranges. It all starts with two simple questions to ask yourself: What am I looking for and what am I willing to tolerate? Are you looking for a Ruth’s Chris Steak House or the full Waffle House experience? Or maybe it’s something in between?

Price does not equate to quality. We have all been to places that were a hole in the wall that had amazing food and service and to others that were pricier, but the service was horrible, even if the food was good. The same applies to photographers. There are some photographers that may not be charging high prices, but their quality of work is phenomenal. They just haven’t been around long enough to develop the name recognition that leads to high prices. You also have those that have been around for a while, everyone knows and do a good job. Maybe not the greatest, but not the worst. And they are reliable. The reason they are successful is because of who they are. I’m talking about personality here, not name recognition.

If you are willing to tolerate ok pictures but a great personality and experience that you will always remember and hoped would never end, then that is your choice. If you’re willing to tolerate a “can’t wait for this to be over because this photographer’s attitude is going to drive me to a life sentence in prison, but I know I’m going to get amazing pictures”, then that is your choice. As you can see, what are you looking for and what are you willing to tolerate? The answer can, and almost always, be in the middle. The best thing that you can do is to check out their portfolio and then call them. Have a conversation. Feel each other out. Get to know each other a little bit. This goes both ways. You wouldn’t want to have a photographer that was rushing to get through the shoot because the client was overly demanding with last minute or impossible requests. The quality of the work would not be there, and the overall experience would be miserable for both.

You want to make sure that you have a great time and that you’re comfortable during the shoot. A relaxed photographer and relaxed client make for some of the best pictures you could ever see.

I hope this helps you out!

What Should I Look for in a Photographer?