How to Find the “Right” Photographer for You

by | Mar 1, 2017 | Portrait Insider Advice, Tips Tricks & How To's

Sonya Gilbert Fine Portraiture, family studio session
Choosing a photographer for your portrait session, truly is a personal choice.  While professional portrait photographers must all learn portrait lighting ratios, flattering ways to pose the human form and how to invoke pleasant expressions, each will incorporate these skills into their own unique photography style.  No two photographers are the same and they vary widely in terms of style, quality and pricing.

The Success Proposition

If you put a little time and effort into finding the right photographer for you, by looking at style, quality and price, chances are high that you will be pleased with the end result of your session.

Style Points

When looking for a photographer, consider your personal style and your desired end result.  If you see a portrait that you like, identify the photographer who created it.  Ask friends for referrals if you like the portraits that you see in their home.  Google photographers in your area and check out their websites.  Each photographer has their own “eye” and it dictates the way that they shoot.  If you don’t like what you see on their website, you probably won’t like the images they create during your session.

Quality

After you hone in on the style of photography that you are looking for, and you have identified a few photographers that incorporate this style, take a look further to determine what’s important to you in terms of quality of photography.  When you look at the photographs featured on the different photographers’ websites, can you tell a difference between them?  Is there attention to detail in terms of lighting, posing, background and focus?

Trained, experienced photographers know how to use light, whether it’s natural sunlight or artificial light.  They know how to pose people and position them in relationship to the light to capture a quality image.  If this is not evident in the photographers’ work you are researching, don’t assume that it will be any different for your session.

It’s also helpful to determine if the photographers you are researching have any credentials showing that they are a professional in their field.  The Professional Photographers of America, the world’s largest non-profit association organized for professional photographers, established the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) credential in 1977 that serves to identify professional photographers who have demonstrated technical competence through a written examination and photographic image submission. A CPP designation offers clients an assurance, not just of quality, but of technical skill and artistic expertise.  Certified Photographers must recertify every three years, showing that they continue to maintain their education and technical skills.

Price

Remember the phrase “too good to be true”.  If you ask for pricing from your chosen photographer and it’s too good to be true, there’s probably more to the story.

Quality photography generally comes with a corresponding price.  If your photographer is experienced, that means they have spent years learning their craft and have spent thousands learning from the best in their field.  Lighting and posing skills are not mastered overnight.

In summary, search for photographers in your area, find those who have a style similar to your vision, contact them, discuss your vision and determine if they are a good fit for you.  Ask how they would handle your session, discuss their pricing and discuss the value and service you will receive in return.  After completing this process for your top two or three choices, you will be much more prepared to make a confident decision on who is the best fit for you.