Choosing a photographer for your event or portraits can be an overwhelming process. When hiring a photographer, you want to LOVE your final images so putting in some work to find the perfect fit is worth the effort. There are a lot of us out there so how do you choose? Here are some tips for finding the photographer that is right for you and your needs.

Ask your friends! Most of my business is referrals from happy clients who have passed my information onto their friends. Did you see someone post amazing photos on their social media account? Ask who the photographer was and learn about what it was like to work with them. Referrals are a great first place to start.

Check out the photographer’s style! I always encourage potential clients to look at my previous work. Photography is an art and every photographer will pose, shoot and edit a little bit differently. Spend some time on their website and social media accounts to make sure that you like the photographer’s style before you book with them. If their style is different than what you are looking for, you likely won’t be happy with the results no matter how talented the photographer.

Inquire about their specialty! Photographers tend to specialize in certain types of photography. Wedding, newborn, family, high school senior, graduation and landscape photography are all different – requiring different skills and sometimes different photography equipment. The best choice for your wedding will be a photographer that specializes in shooting weddings while they might not be a great choice for your high school senior. Working with families with a wide variety of ages is much different that working with a newborn. Look for a photographer that specializes in the type of photography you need.

Hire a professional! There are a lot of people with cameras but are you hiring a professional? Inquire about their business license and insurance. A professional photographer will follow the business license requirements for their city and state, including obtaining liability insurance and paying sales and income taxes. They will be aware of permit requirements for your selected location, if there are any. You should be required to sign a contract and pay a deposit – which protect both you and the photographer. You don’t want shoot day to turn into frustration because the photographer is not properly licensed and permitted.

Fees! Photography fees can vary widely. I’ve seen experienced photographers charge $3,000 and up for an all day portrait experience that includes styling, hair and makeup but doesn’t include images and I’ve seen new photographers charge $50 for a multi-hour session and hundreds of images. I’d recommend looking for a photographer that is somewhere in the middle of those two ranges, which still can vary widely. Cost is certainly a factor for many people but it shouldn’t be the only factor. Ask what the photographer’s fee includes. A session fee may not include things like the photographer’s travel time or final images. Does the session fee include just basic editing or is more advanced editing and retouching included? Who pays for the permit fee, if one is required? Is there a minimum purchase requirement for images? Can you purchase prints? All of these questions should be answered BEFORE you book your session and sign your contract.

Expectations! Make sure that you ask questions and communicate your expectations with your photographer. If you are looking for a specific location, editing style or poses – your photographer won’t know unless you tell them! Make sure that you read the contract in it’s entirety before signing so that you know their expectations of you. Communicating on issues like editing style, payment due dates, turn around times and more can alleviate a lot of frustrations on and after shoot day.

Location, Location, Location! If you are interested in a specific location for your photo shoot, make sure it is one that your photographer is either familiar with or willing to scout in advance for you. Just like in real estate, location is key! Are you traveling out of town? Look for a professional photographer that is located at your desired destination. They will know the local laws and requirements for photo shoots and will be familiar with the best spots to create the best images!

You are making an investment in both money and time. Doing advanced research to help choose the best photographer for you will ensure that the finished images capture your memories perfectly.