When you need a photographer for a special life event, you need to know what to look for. Let’s explore some important items to consider:
General – What to Look for in a Photographer
Photography is so much more than just having a nice camera or taking a lot of pictures to cover your bases. The goal of this section is to help prevent you from hiring the wrong photographer, or even worse, “Aunt Hildy”.
This section will cover more of the soft-skills that your photographer needs to possess. These are areas that you need to pay attention to during your meetings and conversations with professional photographers because they are not things that you can determine by asking a question.
Expertise – Creativity and Technical Skills
A professional photographer should not only versed in the technical side of the trade, but he must also be artistic and creative. Those are two opposite personality traits. How many people do you know are very technologically savvy and artistically creative at the same time?
Have a great camera and technical skills will allow the photographer to capture exposed, well-lit images regardless of the lighting situation and time constraints. On the other hand, having great creative skills will allow the photographer to approach each shot with a unique viewpoint and artistic vision ensuring that the shots are not just photos, but they are beautiful images.
Personality – Being Personable and Charismatic
Just as important (if not more important) as their technical knowledge and creativity are the photographers’ interpersonal skills. How well do they get along their clients and those at a session or event? Are they outgoing, personable, charismatic, professional, and honest?
You are going to be spending time with your photographer for an important moment in your life. A photographer with a personality that matches your own is essential to the overall experience.
Experience –
Once you get past technique, creativity, and personality, the next thing you should be looking for is an experience. Is the photographer actually a professional photographer, or is this a part-time passion? How many sessions has this photographer shot?
While experience is important, some of the best and most hard- working photographers we have met are experienced photographers, but are relatively new in different types of photography shoots. In situations where you love the photographers style, but are concerned with them not having enough experience, ask to look at their entire collection of images from sessions or events they have shot.
Quality – Quality over Quantity
When seeking a photographer, don’t get caught up to the amount of products each photographer is promising. Stay focused on the actual quality of the work provided. We realize that some people are working within a budget. Think to yourself that you can always purchase an album or additional prints later (even 5-10 years later), but you can’t change the quality of the photographs on the day of your session or event.
We strive to tell clients if there is something you need to cut from your package to make it more affordable, start with the products. Cut the prints from the package, remove the album, but don’t go with a cheaper photographer because they are willing to give you all the products you want up front. If you can, always keep at least two photographers in your package.
Sara Gostonczik Photography provides you with your images and does not require you to purchase packages or prints. Where you chose to order prints is up to you. We have access to professional photo labs and can provide you with pricing to order with us, or rest assured – you can chose your own!
If you have any questions about your upcoming session please contact me! I look forward to working with you to capture your story.