So you need a photographer. You are probably searching the internet or have already searched for the best photographer in your area. It is likely that you found a ton of results and need some assistance sifting through them. In this post, I am going to give you 7 tips to help you choose the right photographer.

Tip #1 What Do You Want to be Photographed?

Just like in many professions, photographers specialize in types of photography. Think about what you want to be photographed and find a photographer that specializes in that service. Some photographers specialize in weddings, newborns, graduation, or event photography. You want to find a photographer who specializes in the type of photos you want to take.

Tip #2 Find The Right Photography Style

Photography is a highly saturated field, but one thing that allows photographers with similar offerings to succeed is their style. You want to find a photography style you like. Take the time to look through their website and their gallery of work. Notice what you like about the way they light, edit, and post their work. Does their style match your vision of what you want your edits to look like? If their style is not what you are looking for, then you will not be satisfied with the photos in the end. Make sure to take the time to view their work and see if it is what you like.

Tip #3 Ask About The Editing Process

This tip can go in conjunction with the last one because the edited image is what the photographer will be giving you. Make sure to ask them about their process. What are your expectations for the edit? Do you like minimal editing as we do here with light retouching to remove blemishes? Or do you want a lot of editing and retouching on your images? You want to be sure the photographer you choose has the skill and confidence to edit the way you would like your images edited.

Tip #4 Choose Someone You Like

Choose a photographer that you like. Someone that you are comfortable with and a person you think you could get along with. Once you narrowed down your search get on the phone with a few photographers and share your vision over the phone. This should help you gauge your level of comfortability and help them better understand your expectations for the shoot.

Tip #5 Choose A Professional Photographer

If what you want to shoot is valuable to you, you do not want to cut corners. How do you know who is a professional photographer from an amateur photographer? One way to know if you are dealing with a professional is from their website. Do they have a website that is clear and organized? When you look at their work, does it show a high level of skill? Do they have good reviews? These days anyone can pick up a camera and call themselves a photographer, but it takes time to learn and develop the skills of not just operating the camera but delivering a high-quality service to their client.

Tip #6 Work Within Your Photography Budget

Price is important, but it should not be the deciding factor. It may be enticing to choose the photographer with the lowest priced services, but it can often denote a lack of skill or experience. Photographers charge what they are worth, and what is required to run their business. Think about how valuable what you want to shoot is to you. Some moments only happen once so it is important for them to be captured well. Know your budget and what you can afford and after narrowing in on a few, discuss their prices and fees.

Tip #7 Understand The Photographer’s Availability

Start early! Beginning your search early is one of the most important things you can do because chances are, if they are a good photographer, they will be booked. As much in advance as you can, you want to find a photographer that works for you so that you can secure the date you want to shoot.