Family photographs are one of the most important memories that you’ll have from your life. And choosing a photographer who will capture those memories is an equally important decision. In this article, we look at few tips for selecting a professional family photographer and take a closer look at some of the things to consider when making your choice.
- Do your research
Asking friends and family for recommendations is an excellent way to find out who they used, or you can search online for local photographers in your area. Then, look at their websites and social media pages and read reviews from satisfied clients before deciding.
Also, ask questions of the photographer on their website, such as what kind of equipment do they use? Is it up-to-date? Are there packages available with different options? Finally, be sure that you are comfortable with how much work will be involved after the session, too – remember, some people take hundreds of photos. The Julie McGregor Family Photography services are available in San Diego, California.
- Look at the photographer’s samples
When you find a few photographers who seem like they might be suitable for your needs, look through their galleries to see if anything catches your eye. Are all of the photos high quality? Is every photo edited and perfected, or will you have an unmanageable number of images from which to choose?
While it can take a while to go through hundreds – even thousands – of family photographs, this time spent now could save hours later on when narrowing down options.
If many pictures are blurred or out-of-focus, then chances are those problems will exist in some form throughout any chosen package too. You don’t want blurry shots ruining memories that should otherwise last forever.
- Ask about the editing process
Make sure you are comfortable with how many photos will be edited and what kind of editing, if any, they plan to do. It’s better to ask this question upfront to have an idea before the session takes place. Depending on your budget, certain levels of post-production can go a long way in improving quality, while other edits may not even be necessary at all.
While some clients prefer minimal or no retouching, others don’t mind having their skin perfected or blemishes cleaned up. This is entirely personal preference, but it helps to know where each photographer stands when deciding between packages because different types of work take time, which affects pricing too.
- What kind of products can you offer?
Once your photographer has captured all the images, it is time to decide what products you would like. Choosing ahead of time will help minimize costs and save time when proofs are sent after the session. For example, will there be prints included in any package or only digital files?
Will a USB drive with high-resolution images be available for purchase? What sizes of canvases and albums do they provide, and which ones come standard in specific packages? Can photos be purchased separately, or must they always purchase as part of a bundle deal if so desired at some point down the road too?
Conclusion
While finding the right photographer for your family is an important consideration, narrowing down options between so many photographers can be challenging.