Have you ever been so excited to book a family photographer and quickly got overwhelmed by the many talented artists available? 

How will you narrow the search down to the one that is right for you? 

Let me help!

There are many factors to think about when hiring a professional photographer including,

Budget, Quality, Expertise, Location, Style, Session Planning, and don’t forget Client Feedback. 

I will go over each one to show you why It’s important to think about these. 

 Budget

It is always the big one. Hiring a professional photographer should not be determined by prices. If you are looking for something quick and easy you might go with the cheapest or “most affordable.” But as the old saying goes “you get what you pay for.” 

Photography is without a doubt long-lasting and benefits everyone in your family. So why take all your time researching your ideal photographer, curating your outfits, scouting locations, booking hair and make-up, etc to the book someone who may not have the right style or quality images you are looking for. Great photography isn’t always cheap but neither is hiring an inexperienced or cheap photographer.  

  Quality

These are your legacy. Ideally, you will want photos that include great composition and correct exposure. Your edited gallery should include images that are sharp, vivid, and high resolution. Think about how great these photos will look blown up on your walls or printed in a photo album. You deserve to have jaw-dropping images. 

Expertise

It is often thought that you need a good camera to create stunning images and while it helps nothing compares to actually hiring an experienced photographer. Find a photographer who knows understands the math it takes to create a stunning image using correct ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed plus flash. 

And while asking someone you know to take a few images of you isn’t a terrible idea just remember that this will be an expensive lesson to learn if your images are not what you were hoping for by hiring or using an amateur.

 Location

Find out if your photographer is available to travel to you or if you will have to make the journey to them. Also, don’t be afraid to try new scenic spots. 

 Style

All photographers have a distinct style to separate them from each other. I for example pride myself on vivid, true to life images with a pop of color. Editing varies from one person to another so be sure to check their portfolios to make sure it is what your vision is going forward. 

Style, also includes posing. I love posed and unposed photography. Some people only do posed while some people only do unposed. Find a style that works for you. Think about what kind of photos are your favorite and what you will do with them afterward.

Session Planning

Will your photographer help you throughout the planning process? This is a question to ask. I supply my clients with a Style Guide to help them find wardrobe choices that fit the look they are going for. 

I also welcome any ideas on how we can create images with special meanings to my clients. We will also explore what locations work best for each session and the reasons why.

 Reviews

Read them. This is a chance to get to know your photographer by someone who has actually used their services. I find that most of my clients book me after they read my many Google reviews.

 After you have found a photographer that fits your specific needs contact them and check their availability. If you are a little apprehensive about the hiring process don’t be afraid to call them directly and ask them questions. Remember to book as soon as possible especially during the warmer months when things are super busy.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with my work and see if I am the right photographer for you.

I hope to hear from you! -   Jessica

www.jessicasalortphotos.com