10 Things to Do Before You Book a Professional Photographer
Hi! We are one of the many family photographers in Calgary.
Thinking about leveling up your pics with a professional photographer?
Ever wondered what makes a photographer truly click with you?
Well, we've got the inside scoop! Grab a seat. Let's chat about 10 game-changing things you gotta check off your list before you book a pro photographer.
Cheat Sheet: Before You Start Looking for a Photographer:
1. Define Your Vision and Style:
Family: Consider the atmosphere and emotions you want to capture.
Maternity: Think about the mood and aesthetics that resonate with your journey.
Couple/Engagement: Define the style that reflects your unique love story.
Wedding: Envision the key moments and emotions you want immortalized.
Headshots: Determine the professional image you want to convey.
Model: Think about the versatility and style you want in your portfolio.
2. Set a Realistic Budget:
Think about how important this moment is for you and figure out what feels right to spend on it.
Look into what people usually pay for photography around Calgary based on what you're looking for.
3. Research Photographer Portfolios:
Check out some of the photographer’s work online and take note of how appealing their photos are to you.
Find photographer portfolios that match the kind of photos you want.
4. Read Client Reviews:
Check out what people are saying online like social media, Google, and the reviews or testimonials on the photographer’s website.
See if there are reviews from people who may have similar photo needs as yourself.
5. Consider Location and Environment:
Think about cool spots in Calgary that match your style.
Consider whether you would prefer urban, natural, or studio settings.
6. Check for Availability and Scheduling:
Check with the photographer whether they’re available when you need them.
Chat about what time frame works best and ensure that it fits with your schedule.
7. Communicate Your Expectations Clearly:
Tell the photographer exactly what you want.
Show them some examples or describe it in a way that makes sense to you.
8. Ask About Packages and Services:
Ask what type of photography packages they offer and what you get for each of them.
Figure out if there are any extra costs for prints, albums, or any other special items you may like.
9. Discuss Copyright and Usage Rights:
Make sure you clearly understand how you can use and share the photos.
Check if the photographer keeps the rights or if you get complete flexibility with them.
10. Meet in Person or Virtually:
Set up a meeting with the photographer and see if you want to work with them.
Make sure you feel good about your choice.
That was just a high-level overview.
Now let’s dive into each of them in more detail.
In-Depth Exploration of the Checklist:
1. Define Your Vision and Style:
Family Photography:
Family sessions are all about capturing those special family moments. You want to think about what you really want to capture.
You could be taking a nice walk outdoors in nature, having a family picnic on a cozy blanket or playing with the leaves during fall time and throwing them in the air. You might want to capture some candid smiles and laughter, the joy of playtime, the precious parent-child moments, or simply the whole family coming together for a memorable portrait.
Capture Family: Inquire Today!
Maternity Photography:
Maternity sessions are about celebrating the beautiful journey you’re on.
What mood do you think you would want to capture?
You could picture yourself in the beauty of a serene garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and sunlight. You could be capturing the glow of your pregnancy by a peaceful, glimmering lakeside. You could wait for the perfect golden hour light to catch some shots in the warm, dreamy atmosphere.
Anything that will showcase your beauty, glow, and the beautiful baby bump.
Keep that vision in mind.
Couple/Engagement Photography:
For couples and engagement sessions, the real focus is capturing your love and connection.
How can you recreate your love story?
Do you know the specific place where you first locked eyes?
Think about your favourite spots.
What is the thing that best represents your relationship?
Maybe you love laughing at your silly inside jokes. Or, you like to get close and comfortable and share an intimate moment. It could be a combination. Both playful and romantic. Maybe a more classic style with sophisticated poses and charm. How about something more modern, like in an urban setting, with the hustle and bustle of city life?
Whatever you think will capture the essence of your love story.
Wedding Photography:
We can get pretty deep into weddings but at a high level, they’re a mix of love and celebration.
Picture the moments you want to remember forever–like saying your vows, the first kiss, the first dance, or catching candid moments of your favourite people celebrating your incredible day. Think about what photo style will match your vibe. Will it be classic and timeless? Or very modern and artsy? Or simply a journalistic documentation of your day?
Whatever the case, this is one occasion that you’ll want to take your time to think about.
Capture Forever: Inquire Today!
Headshot Photography:
A headshot is purely a representation of just you.
How do you want to portray yourself?
Maybe you want to appear super friendly so you can get some shots with laughter or a big genuine smile. You could go for a very powerful and professional style that highlights your stature or position. Or, hey, you might just want a good, classic style headshot.
Do you want to do it outside? Do you want a classic studio setup? Or it could simply be at your workplace to capture yourself doing what you do.
Just remember, this is all about you so whatever makes you feel awesome, that’s what you want to go for!
Model Photography:
Modeling is a whole different beast. You can get pretty crazy with this one so it will all depend on what your goal is. So be sure to understand what or who you want to model for. There are hundreds if not thousands of styles you could pursue. Ranging from commercial, fitness, hair model, catalog, all the way to editorial, fashion, and runway.
If you just want to do it for fun, try something new, and show yourself off, that’s cool too!
Again, it’s about bringing out the awesome side of YOU!
Capture Beauty: Elevate Your Game!
2. Set a Realistic Budget:
Now, getting down to business.
How much money do you really want to shell out?
This is a very important step because you want to make sure that not only do you get your money’s worth but you also want to get some great photos.
Think about how significant the occasion is to you, or how important the images are for your personal or professional use. Remember to allocate a budget that matches the value that you place on those photos. One thing you can do is to research the costs of photography services of other photographers. Keep in mind that very experienced and skilled photographers may charge more.
Your budget should also cover any additional products that you might want like prints or albums. Try to be as realistic as you can with your budget and remember that investing in a photographer is an investment in the quality and longevity of your captured moments.
3. Research Photographer Portfolios:
Next, do some research!
Get on Google and look at some online portfolios of photographers in your area. Be sure to focus on the style that you’re looking for. What you want to look for is a style that appeals to you. Every photographer has a different style. Pay close attention to the types of colours, the emotions, and the overall feeling that they give you. If the photos make you feel good, then that could be a good fit for your own photo session.
Looking at many portfolios online will give you an idea of the diversity out there and you will easily be able to decide what you like or don’t like.
4. Read Client Reviews:
When’s the last time you looked up reviews for a product that you’re interested in?
You definitely don’t want to book a photoshoot without reading some reviews. Look for reviews on the different platforms like social media, Google, and the photographer’s own website. Look for reviews from clients that may have needs that are like yours. What you really want to look for is whether the photographer is reliable, flexible, and whether people had a positive or negative experience in working with them. Note whether the overall vibe of the reviews are good or bad.
Oftentimes, the best way to really know if you’re in good hands is to ask a friend or family member if they have any recommendations.
5. Consider Location and Environment:
Ever thought of where you would want your photos taken?
Depending on the style of photos you need, you could do indoors or outdoors. You may be quite limited with indoor locations like a studio, your home, or a public location. On the other hand, there are endless outdoor locations to choose from. It just depends on your vision and the style you’re going after.
You might prefer the charm of a downtown setting in a big city, or simply out in nature.
Do you want an urban backdrop?
Or, do you want the natural beauty of the outdoors?
Be sure to let your photographer know what you prefer and what options they can accommodate.
6. Check for Availability and Scheduling:
Ideally, at this stage you have an idea of where and more importantly, when, you want your photo shoot.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choice of photographers, the next step is to check for their availability. Keep in mind that some photographers may be booked far in advance, especially during peak seasons like summer or fall.
Depending on the type of photos you want, you may want to discuss what happens if there are unforeseen circumstances like bad weather or if someone gets sick. This is especially critical for weddings or maternity sessions where the timing is super sensitive. Make sure the photographer can commit to the date and necessary duration needed for the photo shoot. You may even want to discuss backup options like a backup photographer.
Scheduling and timing can get tricky so be sure to set clear expectations.
7. Communicate Your Expectations Clearly:
Speaking of expectations, effective communication could make or break the photoshoot.
If you have high expectations for the photos and you have a very detailed vision, speak now or forever hold your peace. The more information you provide ahead of time, the more time the photographer will have to think about it and tailor their approach to meet your needs.
If there are specific poses you want, let them know. Provide them with examples. Take screenshots and send it to them. Anything that captures what you’re looking for whether it’s the colour, style, mood, or emotion.
The clearer you are about what you are looking for, the better.
8. Ask About Packages and Services:
How many photos do you think you’ll need?
Photographers have a very wide range of items that are included as part of their services. Some photographers might have clearly outlined packages. Make sure you know what packages and services that they have, and a detailed list of what they include. If you’re not sure about something, ask! If you think something is missing, bring it up immediately and don’t assume it will just be included.
Remember, this is what you’re ultimately paying for.
Do you just want digital copies of the photos?
Do you have special editing needs or need custom prints?
Have a clear understanding of what’s included, the costs, and that there are no surprises.
9. Discuss Copyright and Usage Rights:
Did you know that the photographer owns the photos and not you? Yeah! It’s true.
There are specific usage rights and copyright that determine what you can do with your photos. The photographers usually have exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display the images that they take. Some photographers may offer clients with more extensive usage rights that allow you to use the photos for specific personal or commercial purposes.
Overall, understand the terms and conditions regarding your photos. If you want to use them for a specific purpose, let the photographer know so that the usage rights match your needs.
10. Meet in Person or Virtually:
Normally, all the legwork in your search for a photographer happens virtually, online, or over the phone.
If possible, it’s a very good idea to meet the photographer in person, or at least over a video call. This will give you the opportunity to get to know the photographer better, see their personality, professionalism, and whether you feel comfortable with them.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right photographer for you is quite the process that involves lots of consideration and preparation. By following this checklist, you’re simply setting yourself up for success that will ideally result in some spectacular, meaningful photos.
Now that you have a detailed guide, you’re ready to begin your search for a photographer that fits your needs best. Having done this preparation will contribute to a much more enjoyable photography experience. It will also give you the confidence knowing that you took the important steps to ensure a successful and memorable photoshoot.
Next, we’re going to explore different ways you can find a photographer.