Booking a portrait photographer can be an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re still determining what to expect. If you’re considering booking a portrait photographer for the first time, it’s natural to have many questions and concerns. Here are 10 things that you should know before you book a portrait photographer to help you make an informed decision:
Choose a photographer you connect with.
Go through their photos, styles, ease of experimentation, and how authentic their pictures look. It is imperative to pore over their work and see if they are flexible enough to incorporate your demands and customise poses that help you deal with your insecurities when photographing yourself. There are many different styles, levels of experience, and price ranges among portrait photographers, so choosing the right one for your needs and preferences is essential.
Even if you like the first photographer’s work you come across, do give yourself some time to go beyond and research others. Portraits last a lifetime, and you wouldn’t want to land in the hands of a photographer who is not sensitive to your needs.
Get to know your photographer
Checkout the photographer’s portfolio on their website and see if you like their style of photography. Talk to them over the phone or ask to meet them in person if needed. This will allow you to get to know the photographer and see their work in person, discuss your vision for the shoot and make sure you’re comfortable with them. But mostly, you will see if they empathetically listen to your needs or brush them away. If they are someone who keeps interjecting you or looks down upon your concerns, you should run for the door.
Understand the costs involved
Ask about the photographer’s pricing and packages. Feel free to negotiate or ask for discounts if you’re working with a tight budget. Many photographers usually have campaigns and promotional offers running throughout the year. If you are not on a deadline but have a tight budget, then it is always a good idea to wait for your preferred photographer to run a promotional campaign that you can use. Follow them on social media to learn more about their offers.
Ask if there any offers/ promos that is being offered
Many photographers are often more than happy to offer discounts; for them, an opportunity to create art is sometimes more important than anything else. So feel free to ask for discounts, promos or any coupon codes.
Ask to see their physical products
On social media, images can be filtered to a large extent and may not necessarily look the same when transferred onto physical products. Also, seeing the physical gallery will allow you to go through the products they promise; is the outer cover truly sustainable, is the wood used for wall hangings good quality, etc.
Read the fine print
This cannot be stressed enough. Every good photographer will ensure they get you to sign a model form that will explicitly mention if your images can be used by them to be displayed on their gallery walls and social media pages. If you do not appreciate such exposure, ensure you say that upfront. All photographers are more than happy to accommodate such requests. Reading the fine print will also guarantee you understand the photographer’s policies on rescheduling, cancellations, and the delivery of images. Ask any questions you may have to avoid surprises or misunderstandings.
Understand the process for selecting and editing photos
The delivery time of the pictures will depend on the type of photoshoot – boudoir, gothic, old-world classic, or a simple portrait. Some take much longer to edit, while others are fairly straightforward. Usually, a photographer will communicate their normal process for selecting, editing and the time for delivering the final images.
Never ask for raw copies
Many customers tend to ask for raw files, thinking they can use those to populate their social media handles. However, no photographer likes to do that. Raw files display a photographer’s rough work; just like any artist, they are not keen for the world to see their unfinished work. Some photographers even mention this in their contracts
Read testimonials
This is absolutely critical. Read what other clients had to say – did the photographer match their expectations, were they made comfortable, were their concerns noted, did they get the pictures on time? The testimonials will tell you what kind of experience awaits you with a particular photographer.
Most importantly, Relax!
Above all, try to relax and have fun during the session. A good portrait photographer will help you feel comfortable and at ease, ultimately leading to better photos.
In conclusion, booking a portrait photographer can be a fun and rewarding experience, but you should know a few things beforehand. Make sure to choose the right photographer, talk with them, ask to see a full gallery of images, understand the prices, and read the fine print to ensure that you have a successful and satisfying portrait shoot.
