Having worked with
photographers from $500-$5,000 I have to say there are many things to consider
when hiring your photographer. With technology on the rise, and DSLR camera's
getting cheaper every day, anyone with $300 thinks they can be a photographer.
Before you hire a photographer for your next event you should consider a few
things.
Do they care about you?
Some people are there
for you and some are there to collect a check. Make sure the person you hire is
there for you and not the money.
Do they have a style or do they have your style in mind?
Every photographer has
their own style/vision. You need to make sure they can look past their vision
to see and create your vision. Look at the pictures they have taken in the
past. Is the same background used in every baby picture? Are the Bride and
Groom looking off and to the right, or directly at the camera in every picture?
Is every picture from last year’s prom from overhead and 50 feet away from
everybody?
Do you like the person you are hiring?
Your photographer is
going to be with you ALL DAY LONG. Rather you are having a wedding, birthday
party, prom, or personal photo shoot; you should make sure you like them as a
person and not just their work. You can absolutely love the photos a
photographer takes, but if you do not like their personality, then you could be
miserable during your entire event.
Are you getting what you
are paying for?
A $500 photographer CAN
be overpriced. If it takes you 6 months to get your photos, you have paid too
much. Some other questions to consider when assessing value are: Is there going to be a second
shooter? No one can be everywhere at once, but if there are at least 2 people
there, you have a better chance of catching every memorable moment. Not to
mention you will have pictures from different angles. Are they having fun with
it? A lot of professionals get “burned out” and lose their passion for what
they do. Make sure their reviews were posted recently. Do they still get
excited about every shot they take or do they just move to the next one? Make
sure that you are getting what you pay for.
