If you are seeking a professional photographer for your event, portrait or wedding. Here are some important tips to consider in finding the right professional photographer and not an amateur claiming to be one.
or your business? Will this be an event that creates lifetime memories? If it is very important to you then read ahead.
2. Seek a true professional with EXPERIENCE (More the better) Make sure their
experience is verifiable. Look at the images they post, does it appear there are many events or just a couple events with different
poses. If you see a good number of images from different events, chances they are in demand. Also verify this photographer was
actually the “official” photographer and not just “at” the event taking photos. (a trick lesser experienced photographers do). If your event will produce lifetime memories don’t trust someone who is “building their portfolio” or just starting out in the field. Many try to impress you with their “other” experience in photography and now getting into another field of photography. If they were a great or famous photographer they wouldn’t need to get into other areas of photography. This happens a lot with those who claim to be successful in say being a fashion photographer, shooting for big publications or celebrities and now want to do weddings and offer super low rates. If they were so successful they would have stayed in that field and wouldn’t need to offer low rates.
3. Choose a full-time photographer. These photographers are committed to providing
consistent quality and service. They don’t do this “on the side” to supplement their main job or do this as a hobby. Ask if they have a brick and mortar office/studio or do they meet you at the local coffee shop or hotel? Established successful photographers have professional locations of their own.
4. Look at the quality and creativeness of a photographers posted work. Does it look professional or just basic
snapshots? Remember this is a representation of their best work. If it looks like photos that your uncle Joe took with an IPhone
tells you they lack the experience of a professional.
5. Seek a photographer that cares about what YOU want and willing to be flexible in accommodating your different needs. A little more investment in a true professional goes a long way when capturing lifetime memories. If a photographer posts an ad and the title starts with how low their rates are, that’s an indication its their best feature. “You get what you pay for” applies here. Cheap price equals cheap work.
6. Inquire about the equipment your photographer uses. Top professionals take their profession seriously. They invest in very high quality reliable equipment that will provide you high quality images. True pros don’t’ use Canon Rebels or similar cameras. The best quality images come from full sized sensor cameras. 99% of all pros use Canon or Nikon pro line cameras. Canon 5D
Mark 2, Mark 3, Mark 4, Canon 1DX, Canon 80D, Nikon D700, D750, D800, D810, D5. Plus pro’s have back up equipment of
the same quality. Many weekend shooters will argue about this but trust me, this is what the pro’s use. Google it.
7. Look for a photographer who specializes in JUST photography. A true professional dedicates many years into developing his or her skills. So stay away from those to claim to be a pro at many things like, DJ, Video, Florist AND your photographer. Do one thing and do it right. Keep in mind that if you were not satisfied with one vendor most likely you will be not be satisfied with all the vendors.
These are just some of the ways in finding the best quality professional photographer for YOUR important event.