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Choosing Photographers

Important Things To Consider When Choosing a Photographer

To find photographers, use our Photographer Directory.

There are a lot of fly by night photographers doing their rounds. The very reason you are looking for a professional photographer is to capture an event so that, sometime in the future, you are able to remember these moments and share them with others.

 

Let’s us share some thoughts and give you a couple of pointers to consider when screening for a professional photographer.

Portfolio
Is the photographer willing to show you his portfolio. Does he or she even have a portfolio? Insist on seeing the portfolio to assess whether the style is to your liking or not.

References
A personal reference is always the best and people love to talk. Peronally check out the references they provide you with. Alarm bells should ring if a photographer is not willing or fails to deliver references on your request.

Experience Level
Has he or she photographed other events? Does this person do this for a living or for fun?

Photographic Style
Are the images that you are shown, what you would like to see? There are terminologies used all over like: photojournalism, formal, classic candid, and so on. Do you want a mixture of colour photos or only black and white photos?

Truth in Advertising
Is this the photographer that will be photographing your event or will they send in whomever is available (especially with large photography firms). Be certain that you know which photographer is going to be there and that you want to see this person’s work and meet with that individually face to face. Don't be stunned, this happens more often than you can imagine.

Personality
Is the photographer that you meet someone that you can get along with, especially in stressful situations like weddings and functions? Is the "chemistry" there?

Appearance
Nothing wrong with asking the photographer how he or she intends to dress on the big day. It’s you money, your time and your event. Is this person well groomed or do you want him to take pictures from a distance?

Advertising
Most fly-by-night photographers will not do much advetising. They assume they can make a quick buck and will therefor not commit to advertising. Have a look at their website, Google them to see if others have complained or commend their services and so on.

Price Range
All of us have budgets. Make sure you selected photographer falls within it. Remember that in most cases the photographer owns the pictures until paid for in full. If this photographer is more expensive than the average, is he or she worth the price difference? Confirm and reconfirm what everything costs, including albums, reprints and enlargements. Also ask if there are travel charges or any other additional charges they might charge.

Delivery
How long does it take to get your final product back. Ask for a definitive date to exclude avoid complications.

Offering
Whether it's pay per photo or a packaged offering, do you grasp what you are getting? Is there any room for changes and will it cost to do so? Sometimes the packages are fixed, sometimes they can be customized, in any case, ask. How much time will he/she spend? What if you need more time? Make sure that you know what's coming.

Contract
Be careful of one sided contracts and be sure you understand the content of the contract before you put pen to paper. Remember that most of the time, verbal agreements don’t stand up in court. Some photographers will promise you sun, moon and stars, but as soon as the contract is signed delivers only on the content of the contract.

Other Questions:

Are you familiar with the venue you shot there before?

Do you have an assistant?

If you have knowledge about photographic equipment, ask him what he or she will use?

How long before or after the event will they be present?

Do we get to keep the proofs?

Is your proofs marked?

Where and how are your proofs marked?

Is there an additional fee for unmarked proofs?

Do we get to keep our negatives?

How long do you keep the negatives and will you sell them to us?

Do you use high speed film to expose natural light?

Do you work well with the other vendors?

The number of proofs you will view in order to pick your enlargements and/or keep
A list of guaranteed prices for enlargements. If they have a brochure with prices then get the photographer to write down that the prices on the brochure they gave you are the prices that you will be charged.

All additional charges, services, taxes, travel, etc... Get the exact cost on the contract.
An explanation of what happens if your photographer doesn't show up.