When deciding who to hire as your family’s photographer, the choices can be overwhelming. There are so many photographers that offer family photography, maternity photography, newborn photography and other types of photography. I’m here to help break down the things you should think about when you are choosing your family’s photographer.
1. Style
Photographers tend to have a style of photography that they specialize in. Some photographers call themselves lifestyle photographers (me included); others take more traditional portraits. Are family portraits what you’re looking for, or do you want someone to document a day in your life. If that’s the case, then photographer with a more documentary style would be best for you. Let’s look at each style.
Lifestyle - Lifestyle photography is a style of photography that aims to document you and your family in a more natural way. The goal of lifestyle sessions is to document interactions between a family and not necessarily everyone smiling at the camera. The session can be held in your home or outdoors.
Traditional/posed - Some may prefer a more traditional approach to photography. In this case, finding a photographer that provides images that are more formal and posed would be the most appropriate. Traditional/posed photography usually has everyone looking at the camera. The session can be in your home, outdoors, or in a studio.
Documentary - If you want your every day life documented, then documentary photography is the best choice for you. Documentary aims to capture a day in your life as it unfolds. The session might take place at home, or you may want to document an activity that your family normally participates in. This type of photography is truest to life and without any intervention from your photographer.
2. Genre/Type
Did you know that photographers have specialties? Some specialize in newborn photography, or maternity photography. Others specialize in family photography, senior photography, wedding photography and much more. Some specialize in a combination of more than one type of photography.
Think of what kind of photography you are looking for and make sure the photographer you are considering specializes in that particular kind of photography.
3. Products
When choosing a photographer, something to think about is whether you are interested in having your photographer custom create products for you after a session. Some photographers will help you with creating your artwork, which can include canvases, framed prints, metal or acrylic artwork, photo albums and matted prints. Others will provide just the digital files. Depending on what you’re looking for, make sure your photographer provides the products you’re looking for.
5. Services
When deciding to hire a photographer, ask them what services they offer. Some work on-location, either outdoors or at your house. Others only work from a studio. Others provide both options. Also think about whether you want products. Do they offer custom design services? Will they help you create wall art or a photo album? Do they offer other products? Is there anything else specific that you want? It’s important that the photographer you hire fully understands your needs so they can let you know if that matches up with the services they provide!
6. Cost
When deciding to hire a photographer, you have to understand the pricing and what’s included. There are two common price models. The first model is session fee plus products, you’ll also hear this being called “IPS”. This is where you pay an initial cost for hiring the photographer. After your session you get to decide which products you want to buy in addition to fee. This is a more customized option. The second model is all inclusive. This is where you pay one price in advance and it includes everything your are going to purchase.
Ask your photographer exactly what services they include in their price. Does the price include any perks for their clients? Do they have a client closet, gallery design services, styling services, so they offer products ? Prices of photographers vary widely but that’s because what your photographer includes can be very different from another photographer. Before deciding to go with a photographer make sure you understand the price and exactly what is included.
Once you do all your research, one final step I recommend is to set up a time to talk to the photographer that you are thinking of hiring. It’s important that the person you hire is someone that you get along with and feel comfortable with. A quick conversation with the photographer will go a long way to helping you decide who your photographer will be.
I help moms document fleeting moments in life, get in more family photos and show your kids that mom was there! If you are interested in documenting memories together click on the button below to contact me!
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy these:
What is Lifestyle Photography? Why am I a Lifestyle Photographer?
What is Lifestyle Family Photography