The Four Peas of the Perfect Photographer

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Photo credit: Deviantart.net

So, you are searching the web and looking for a photographer. There are millions it seems and its getting you down because you are not sure what to look for.  So, I decided to write a quick guide with the aim of making the process of choosing a photographer more comfortable for you.
 
 
The Four Peas of the Perfect Photographer:

All photographers have a specific style and specialism, have a visit of their galleries or portfolios to make sure you get those dream photos exactly the way you want. If there is only one photo on their website you like, you need to make it clear to them that is the style you like. Think about not just what looks good on the screen but what looks good on the wall, or in a book… do you have a bare wall in your house that needs a homely touch? What is your colour scheme, photography is always a great standalone piece of art, but can be enhanced even further when matched with the colour scheme of your room
 
Pricing
is it within your budget? Not all photographers openly display prices, this is often due to the bespoke nature of the shoot. Make sure you get in contact with them and don’t be afraid to ask for a personalised quote for your particular budget.
Pricing is really difficult in photography, quite often you can find that you end up paying for a brand, rather than paying for a good photographer, also keep in mind what you are getting… be wary high upfront studio fees leave you at risk of receiving a lackluster product, and as you have already paid a big deposit there is no way of getting it back. Equally look out for free studios, they are typically less established and you may be taking a risk with capturing those key moments. This is especially important in newborn photography as the ideal time to take a newborn shoot (5days-3 weeks old) passes in the blink of an eye.
 
Place
Where are they based? Will they travel to you? How far are you willing to travel for them? There is no use finding your amazing photographer that ticks all of your boxes but are situated 1000s of miles away from you. Think about your location and your photographer.
Ever heard of the saying, location, location, location… what is true for the property market is just as true for newborn photography shoots. Did you know the typical newborn photography shoot can vary anywhere between 2- 4 hours… a good photographer will keep an open time frame as their absolute priority is making sure the baby is comfortable and happy.
 
 
People
What do people say about this photographer? Have they had good reviews?  It is always great if a fellow friend has used them before but see what others thoughts and opinions are.  If only there was a trip advisor for photographers! What separates a good photographer from a great photographer is the experience that they are able to give you, and it’s almost impossible to ‘try before you buy’…. Some tips to help, don’t always go just by the testimonial page photographers are likely to show a fair positive reflection of themselves, look on their Facebook pages and see if they have an ‘about me or biography section’ on their page. Look out for those who have experience working with children before too.
 
Personality
This one is a bit trickier. Most photographers will have an about me page. Check it out. What feel do you get from them? Why not have a phone call with them? Get to know them a little bit. I always recommend meeting your photographer especially for your wedding photos. You want someone who is going to make you feel relaxed. Someone that has the personality type to make you feel comfortable and enjoy your experience. These things are important because it will reflect in your photos.
 
Finally remember to plan! If you haven’t got bored of my P theme yet, the best time to book for Newborn photography is whilst pregnant. Wedding photography typically gets booked 1-2 years in advance, and family shoots are worth booking in advance to ensure availability.
 
Whatever you choose, remember to have fun! It can be easy to get caught up in the stress of getting the right photographer but follow these simple steps and you can say goodbye to stress and hello to great photos!
 
I hope this helps! All my love,
 
Emily xx

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