Sometimes it feels like there are a million and one photographers in the world. Which is so amazing because this means there is a photographer out there for everyone! But, it can also be a little daunting. It is almost like there are too many options. And they all have different editing styles, shooting techniques, turnaround times, packages, print offerings, etc- like how are you supposed to choose!?!?!?!

As both a photographer, and someone who has hired photographers for my own life events, I totally understand your struggles! This is your life and memories you want captured, it isn’t something to be taken lightly! Like with all of these options, how are you supposed to just choose a photographer? And it is so easy to just go with the first photographer you find without doing a ton of research into whether or not they are actually the right fit for what you are looking for. My goal with this post is to help you find the best photographer FOR YOU. Your needs and desires in a photographer are going to look so different from your friends or your family’s or neighbors, and making sure you stay true to what you actually want and need is going to be so helpful in choosing the right photographer. 

In the next couple sections I am going to walk you through what to look for when hiring a photographer from a photographer’s perspective. Keeping in mind that these things are in addition to liking their work, because most photographers can take pretty photos- that is a given. If they were bad at taking photos they would not be photographers. But it takes more than a pretty photo to determine if a photographer is the right fit for you. 

The first thing I would look for is, do you actually LIKE THEM as a person? 

You are going to be spending A LOT of time with your photographer, do you even like hanging out with them? Is this the person you see capturing the most special moments of your life? Do you even want them around in the way? If you don’t like them, then they are probably not the right fit no matter how good they are at photography. This is why I require consultation calls for all weddings, and offer them as an option for smaller sessions- I want to make sure we are a good fit right off the bat. 

The next thing I would look for in a photographer is whether or not you can visualize yourself in their photos.

Like when looking at their social media or their website can you already see yourself there? Do you have a vision for what the photos will look like? When you envision your photos do they look like what you are seeing? If you look at their work and you already see yourself in the photos then that is a pretty good indication that they are the right fit for you. If you don’t really see where you fit in with their work, then their style might not be what you are looking for, and they may not be the right fit for you. 

The third thing I would look for is, are they transparent about what they include in their packages and what the experience with them  is like? 

If you are looking over their guides or their website, or maybe you even had a call with them, and you still have no idea what exactly is included in their package- this is a red flag. You are making an investment and you absolutely deserve to know what exactly you are getting. For my clients I send very detailed pricing and planning guides so that way they know what the next steps are, what they can expect from me, and what I expect from them in return. You should not be confused about the service you are paying for. 

Going along with that- what is their response time like? Do they tell you right off that bat how quickly they will get back to your messages? Do they specify the best way to communicate with them? Do they set expectations in this way? Or are you left guessing when or if they will get back to you? 

If from the beginning you are confused about how to communicate with them this will just make the planning process more stressful because you will be left hanging with questions. I’m not saying to find a photographer who answers every email right away and it available to talk on every single platform, but find someone who tells you right away (like on their website, initial inquiry response email, or maybe even on a call): what their office hours are, what time frame you can expect a response from them, and what days of the week they are in the office.  

I hope this is helpful to you! I know it is A LOT to think about, but knowing these things will help you find the right photographer beyond just style and budget. While those are important factors, they are not the only things to be thinking about when choosing a photographer. There is so much more at play here, so many little things that maybe you didn’t think about before reading this article. The right photographer who checks all your boxes is out here though! Ask your friends and family for recommendations, or you can even do a quick check on Instagram (I would type in #(your city)photographer) to find ones that are local to your area! At the end of the day you are making an investment on your memories. Because your children will grow up, your memory will fade, life will go on, but these images are forever- you deserve to have a photographer who knows and understands that too.  

If you are reading this and you’re like YEP she is the photographer FOR ME (first of all YAY that’s so exciting I can’t wait to meet you!!!!!) You can inquire here or go to the book me tab on my website! I ALWAYS respond to inquiries within 48 hours!!