Picture Perfect: 5 Steps to Finding your Dream Photographer
I know one of the most complicated parts of planning your family photoshoots, graduation portraits, or blogger headshots is finding the photographer. There are so many different photographers out there. Yet, when you start the hunt for your next photographer, it seems like there are none that you like within your budget that live or work nearby.
It can be exhausting and challenging, so I know you don’t want to hear it, but the most important part of finding the right photographer for your event or occasion is to plan ahead and do your research. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you out with a few tips for finding the right photographer for any situation!
Find a variety of different local photographers with pricing within your budget.
-Find some that might be a stretch to afford, and some that are the cheapest you can find.
-Use hashtags like #[mytown]weddingphotographer or #[mycity]portraitphotographer on social media to find photographers near you.
-Ask friends and family for referrals, they may have different connections than you and they may have had a good experience with a photographer you haven’t stumbled across in your search.
-Look on unusual sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You never know where a hidden gem of a photographer might be advertising themselves.
Examine their website or social media to find their portfolio of work.
-Make sure they have a portfolio. The only way to know if a photographer is good or not is by looking at the work they've produced.
-Make sure their style of shooting and editing is similar to how you want your photos to turn out.
-Make sure their style of shooting and editing is consistent, and not all over the place.
Look for reviews or ask around to hear how working with this photographer went for others.
-See if they have reviews or testimonials on their page, this shows that they put in the effort to make sure their customers were satisfied and to share those great experiences with future clients.
-Look for tagged photos on social media to see real reviews and testimonials.
-Find out if people have been generally happy with their results, or if the photographer was frustrating to work with.
Talk to the photographer beforehand!
-Ask about their process and timeline. Ask to see more of their portfolio if you can’t find it online.
-Find out if they respond in a timely manner, if they are excited to work with you, and if your personalities mesh.
-This is the most important part. By reaching out to the photographer you can find out how they interact and make sure they are the type of person you want to work with.
Go with your gut.
-If you are considering finding a cheap, amateur photographer, you can give them some experience and you will likely get at least a few good photos. In most cases, you can redo the photos later when you have more money or time to spend on the photos. Remember, every photographer has to start somewhere so if you don’t have the budget or want to help out a budding photographer, take the chance on an amateur.
-When I was first starting out, I may not have been entirely happy with the way every shoot turned out, but that is why I didn’t charge much and I spent lots of time on the client’s photos to make sure they got something for what they paid. And if I didn’t do those cheap shoots in the beginning, I would have never gotten any better and would not be where I am today.
-On the other hand, if you find the perfect photographer and their prices are within your budget, don’t be afraid to spend a little extra to get a professional. A professional will consistently give the photos they advertise. If you like their style of shooting and editing, or their personality and methods, you can’t substitute that with a cheaper option.
-Some people think they can hire a cheaper option and find someone else to replicate a style of editing, but it doesn’t work that way. If you have a very specific look in mind, you can only get that from a specific photographer. Each photographer has different equipment, knowledge, and methods and you can’t replicate any unique person by meshing together cheaper options.
Let me know if you are looking for an affordable midwestern photographer as I am available for freelance work. Take a look at my portfolio and contact me for details!
Otherwise, I have many contacts in the midwestern photography world and I can help you do the research to find a photographer that suits your needs.
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