How To Choose The Right Photographer
There are a lot of different options out there when it comes to choosing a photographer. It may seem like all you need to do is find someone who takes photos you like, but there’s more to the process than that. This blog post is all about how to make sure you choose the right photographer for your shoot.
Correspond with Them Regularly
I spend so much time corresponding with clients before they book with me, whether it be through emails, Instagram DMs, texts, or phone calls! Not only do these correspondences ensure I understand what they are looking for in their photos, but to make sure we both are a good match for each other!
For example, I shot Susie and Matt’s engagement and wedding photos. We spoke through countless emails, texts, and even phone calls, which pretty much guaranteed that we were both the right fit for each other. When it came time for us to first meet, it was like we were old friends catching up, and the stunning photo results really spoke to that. And then of course came their wedding a few months later, which only emphasized the trust and connection we all had built with one another!
Find Someone You Actually Like
Finding the right photographer is more than just finding a photographer that takes photos that you like! It's about finding a photographer that you vibe well with, someone you can easily talk with, someone that you feel comfortable with (even crying in front of on your wedding day!), someone that has a photographer mission statement that you connect with, and someone that you will enjoy spending AT LEAST an hour with during your session!
You're spending a lot of time with your photographer and putting a lot of trust in them. It’s important to actually like them as a person and not mind spending time with them. Some photographers can take stunning photos, but they may not be the type of person you feel comfortable with or have a completely different personality. There are other things to consider too. For example, I've found that the closer in age to a client I am, the easier it is to connect with them on a personal level! And if things go wrong during your session, is your photographer someone up for a challenge?
Make Sure Your Styles are Similar
Not only do you want your clients to feel confident with having you as their photographer, but you as the photographer want to make sure you can provide the style of photos that the couple is looking for. There have been several times where clients explain their vision for their photos, and I knew that their photo goals just did not align with mine - and that is perfectly normal! Your vibe won’t match everyone else’s. If you are feeling like maybe your styles are different, or that they want photos that you may not be experienced enough to take, or maybe just not interested in taking the type of photos they're asking for, let your clients know so that they can find the perfect photographer for them!
Luckily, with Susie and Matt, this wasn’t an issue. Their engagement session weather was perfect - overcast skies, foggy, with just the right amount of light to create a moodier atmosphere for photos. The wedding was a total opposite type of day - super bright and clear skies and surprisingly warm for a fall day. This actually worked quite well for Susie and Matt - they can both be reserved BUT also love having a good time, and the two weather juxtapositions really brought those personality traits out in them and in their photos!
I loved taking their photos and knew that we were all completely comfortable with each other.
