Camera & Accessories Search

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Simple steps in finding the right photographer for the job.

By Justin Keller

Need a photographer for a special event? Being a San Diego Photographer, I have some great tips to help you make the best choice for that special day. So before you go opening the yellow pages and just calling up any old photographer, here are a few steps on how to choose a good photographer.

When you know that a special day is coming up, most people want a way to remember those special moments, and most of the time it will be with pictures. So it is critical that if you are going to hire a photographer to capture those moments, that you do your research. Start by asking friends and family for any people they can refer you to. With that list, you can start to put together some potential candidates.

After you have accumulated a list of photographers you should visit their websites. Check out events they have shot and determine whether or not that is the type of photography you are looking for. Photographers who have online portfolios will save you a lot of time because then you can prequalify them instead of having to wait til your first meeting to see their portfolio.

Third, start to call up the photographers and conduct a phone interview. Once you have narrowed your list of photographers down to about two or three you can call them up and begin your interviewing process. You can then make an appointment to meet with the photographer and view their portfolios if you have not already viewed it online. During these phone interviews it is important to ask questions. The more specific you are with your question the better understanding you will get as to whether or not the photographer is the one you are looking for. While on the phone you should ask the photographer to bring in his collection of coverage of one particular event so that you will know exactly what to expect from that photographer.

After you have met with your two or three possible photographers it is time to decide which one is right for you. The key factors to remember when deciding on your photographer is to make sure your choosing the one that you like and the one that understands the vision you have about how you want your memories to be captured. Before you make the commitment to the photographer make sure you have asked all the questions you had and have considered all the photographers policies carefully. Once you feel you have found the perfect photographer for your event, then go right ahead and make the commitment.

Following these simple steps will benefit you in many ways. It will allow you to get to know your photographer. Having a connection is very important. It will also allow you to see if his style is what you are looking for in the types of shots you want. And most of all it will give you piece of mind. Setting up a photo shoot for a special occasion usually means the event is very important. With that in mind, you want that day to be as stress free as possible and following these steps will help accomplish that.

About the Author:

No comments: