Hiring A Photographer
Whether you’re looking for professional photographers for your company headshots or hiring a photographer to create professional photos of your products, this article will help you choose the right photographer for the job. While pricing often plays a factor in hiring a photographer, it shouldn’t be the only consideration.
Professional photos are an investment in your brand, giving you something tangible to show the world who you are and what you do. That’s why it’s so important to hire a photography studio that can make the images you want and help you create the brand you want to be.
Determine a budget
Before hiring a photographer, you should have a clear idea of what your photography budget is and how that fits into your marketing budget. You may find a professional photographer you absolutely love, but their fees are beyond the advertising budget. To avoid that disappointment, figure out your photography budget before you start looking so you know right away if a particular photographer just isn’t possible for you.
Know the style of images you want
Every photographer has a different style. Are you looking for candid photojournalistic images? Or do you want professional portraits lit with studio lighting? Maybe you have your heart set on a location photographer working at your field office, or maybe you’d prefer product photography shot in the photo studio. Whatever you want, it’s important to know what style and type of images you’re looking for, so you can choose a photographer who can meet your specific needs.
Ask to view full galleries
Of course, photographers will have some of their best images on their websites or social media profiles, but if you want to get a clear idea of their ability and style, ask to view a full gallery from one of their photo shoots. You don’t need to request a full gallery from every potential photographer, narrow your selections down to two or three photo studios, and ask them, it may help you make your decision.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
You’re hiring a professional photographer to do a service for you, so don’t hesitate to ask questions about fees, included services, optional services, and anything else that comes to mind. A pro will expect these questions and will have answers ready for you. A professional photographer should be able to help you plan and execute the photo shoot.
Be clear on your rights
Understanding the permissions and rights around your photos is important. Talk to potential photographers about what the photography license includes, what is excluded and how much the fees are for additional licensing rights.
For example, ask whether you will have re-licensing rights, how long the license is for, and in what media you can publish the photos. Most photographers will negotiate a license that provides the usage rights your require; it’s generally a sliding scale – the more publishing rights required the higher the fee.
It’s important to understand the specifics before you sign a contract so you can secure the rights you need because you really want to avoid what happened during the British elections when a photography contract embarrassed one party and swung the election.
Make sure they’re a good fit
Sometimes personalities mesh perfectly, and you become instant friends. Sometimes you and another person are just too different to work comfortably together. If your company culture and your photographer don’t mesh, your photo shoot may not deliver the results you need, and that’s the last thing you want. Meet with your potential photographer before you book the photography session to be sure they’re a good fit for you.
When it comes to hiring a photographer, it’s important to get all your questions answered up front. Find someone whose style and process matches your vision for your images. The better your connection with the photographer, the more comfortable you’ll feel and the better the photos will represent you and your brand!
Following these guidelines, finding the right photographer will be a lot easier. Read about our studio and process here.
