Guide to Selecting a Photographer for Your Family

I've had this conversation a lot lately with clients: How do you know which photographer to select? 

There seems to be a ton of photographers out there - some professional, some good, some bad, some hobbyist. Their prices range wildly from $50 to $5000 for a session with digital files.

If you choose based on the cheapest price, there is a good chance that you will be disappointed. The quality might be on par with what Grandma can capture of your family with your point and shoot or basic DSLR camera {sorry Grandma}. I am also not saying that the highest photographer is the way you MUST go.

Unfortunately photography does not have a regulating board. But that doesn't mean that you can't still research a photographer to see how dedicated they are to running a professional business, how involved they are in their industry's associations, or how involved they are in their community. And most importantly, finding a photographer with a consistent portrait style that YOU love.

If my style is not what you are looking for PLEASE allow me to help you find another photographer that does have a style that speaks to you.  Of course I would love for you to consider Brandy Goldenberg Photography :-)

This post IS FOR the consumer who really wants a great photographer but doesn't know how to identify the professional among the masses.

This consumer may be budget minded but also wants quality and professionalism. Being budget minded does not mean that you should just go with the cheapest photographer you find.

Being budget minded means that you look at the field of photographers, you identify the professionals, you identify the style you like, you research that photographer, and then you reserve a session in advance so that you can SAVE for the session. MANY professional photographers allow for pre-session payment plans or post-session product payment plans. 

Investing in quality portraiture is one of the best gifts you can give your family and future generations. 

Please keep in mind this is just my opinion. I feel it comes from a place of wisdom and experience but that does not mean that others wouldn't have a different valuable opinion.

IDENTIFY

While there is no state regulatory board for photographers there are local state and national professional associations that a professional photographer can become a member.

Being a member of professional associations/organizations by no means is a reflection of the quality of work of a photographer and certainly some photographers purposefully do not become a member of our industry's professional organizations. However, this is a great place to start. You can also ask friends for recommendations of names that you can then research individually.

For the State of Iowa we have Professional Photographers of Iowa. You can find members here

You can search by city. But please don't limit yourself to just one city :-)

STYLE

So now you have some names from your above search. Which photographer's style do you like?

Do you like a very bright low contrast look? Do you like a rustic look? Do you like a painterly look? Do you like candid/non-posed style? Do you like a lifestyle in-home session? Do you like a posed in-studio session? Do you want a natural look or do you want lots of color and props?

No two photographer are exactly the same. Each has their own style and art. Please do not look at the highest priced photographer and then try to get the cheapest priced photographer to 'replicate' that look - it won't work.

Know your style so that you can create a list of potential photographers based on the style you like.

- Visit their website portfolio

- Visit their business FB page - Do they have a fan base? Click on 'posts by others' to see what others have to say about them. You can also check their reviews.

INVESTIGATE

Once you've identified a few photographers that have a style you love the next step is to research those photographers. The answers you find may or may not impact whether you decide to book a session with them.  But like all things you plan to invest in, having more information is better. Businesses that have taken the time to join their industry's associations or become involved in their community's organizations may be more invested in their business and community.

 Disclaimer: I am not telling you to not work with a business just because they are not members of associations/organization, haven't created or updated their website or lack a social media presence. You'll have to make that decision for yourself. 

- Check to see if they have any Better Business Bureau complaints or if they are an Accredited Business with the BBB {The BBB only extends invitations to select businesses, they recently extended that invitation to Brandy Goldenberg Photography!!! There are only SEVEN photography businesses in Iowa that have been selected to become Accredited by the BBB}.

- Check to see if they are a formal legal business registered with the Secretary of State's Office

- Check to see if they are a member of their local Chamber of Commerce

- Ask if they are a booster of a local high school {this may be important to you that they are involved in the community they work in - especially if they photograph seniors}

MAKE CONTACT

By this point your list of potential photographers should be narrowed down. Now you need to find out more from the photographer and ask questions that are important to you.

NOTE: Please do not send a message to a photographer with a one line question of:  How much? How much do you cost? What are your rates?

Sending messages like that doesn't really help you or the photographer. It's like going into a grocery store and asking how much. How much for what? What do you need? {An apple or a steak} What are you seeking? And, really, let's be respectful and take 5 minutes to put together a real message - after all you are going to be investing with this person and you want them to know as much as possible about what you are seeking. 

EXAMPLE: 

Dear Photographer,

I love your work! I am searching for a photographer to capture my family of 4. My daughter is 2 and my son is 6. We would love some portraits of the family together as well as individual images of the children and sibling poses. We are hoping for a combination of posed and lifestyle - perhaps at a local park. We would like for this session to take place X month but may be flexible.

I have a few questions to ask you:

- Does the above description of what we are seeking sound like your style/something that you feel comfortable/confident in?

- Can you provide your investment packages/rates for a family session and what do those rates include/exclude?

- Do you have availability on X date or X month?

- Is your business insured? How long have you been professionally photographing?

- For a newborn session perhaps you want to ask: what safety measures do you have in place to ensure the safety of the baby? What training have you received? How many newborns do you photograph each month? Do you provide all of the props/backdrops/outfits necessary for a newborn session? Do you have an assistant or will I have to assist you? How do you maintain the newborn studio - cleanliness?

Thank you,
Potential Client


Now you wait. How long did it take for the photographer to respond to you {hours, days, weeks}? How quickly they respond, the thoroughness of their answers all matter. It tells you how they run their business. A photographer that takes several days or weeks may not be right for you if you like a more prompt professional.

Based on the photographer's response to your questions you may be close to booking a session. Other things to consider: do they have a brick & mortar commercial studio or do they operate out of their homes? Are you comfortable going to their home for a session? While there are MANY AMAZING PROFESSIONAL photographers with in-home studios this is the number 1 sign that the business may NOT be legal. Do your research to make sure they are.

Does the photographer have a professional contract? Does the contract not only provide YOU the rules/boundaries in which you will be bound but does it also PROTECT YOU? Does it have a clause about what happens if the photographer does not deliver what they have stated? A legal contract is not cheap. The professional has invested in legal advice. A photographer without a complete contract is probably not operating a legal business - they are cutting corners. 

UNDERSTANDING THE INVESTMENT

This is where things sometimes feel complicated and emotional. I hope at this point after doing research on photographers you have seen the amazing, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I'm hoping you now see that not all photographers are created equal and they don't just press a button to create a beautiful portrait. I'm hoping you realize that the amazing photographer {from your style point of view} will not be priced the same as the poorer quality of work you've seen.

A professional photographer has invested tens of thousands of dollars { and hundreds/thousands of hours} into providing you the best portraits they can. What are you going to invest to receive those portraits?