AION IMAGING
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER
Choosing your photographer can be a daunting task. This article will break down the basics of choosing the photographer that is best for your family.
1) Ensure your protection. Photography is an unregulated industry. It is up to you to ask if the photographer has registered her business, purchased business and liability insurance, is tax compliant, and uses written contracts and releases. Working with a professional who operates a sound business ensures that you have the maximum consumer protections possible. This is especially critical when choosing a birth photographer. 2) Determine priorities. Your photographer should care about the art of photography and value her personal growth.Â
She should be able to tell you about the training in which she has invested, whether in a formal school or in apprenticeships and workshops.
Your photographer should be the member of one or more professional organizations, such as the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, Professional Photographers of America, or his state professional photography guild. These organizations often provide training and increase accountability through the use of ethics codes.
3) Identify available resources. Your photographer will be your personal art director. She will listen to your ideas and build a project that will best serve your needs. This involves choosing locations, assessing equipment requirements, and coordinating the team involved. Your photographer should use professionalgrade equipment. The brand is not as important as the quality and the suitability to your particular project. For example, sports event coverage often requires a different camera body and lens set than does portraiture. Many types of photography require the equipment and skill necessary to photograph in low-light environments. If this applies to you, ask your photographer how he adapts to such situations.
Your photographer should also have access to auxiliary equipment, such as flash and a back-up camera. Photography assignments frequently involve more than a single photographer. Ask your potential photographer about his team. He may include a second or third photographer, an assistant, office manager, editor, or even a back-up photographer from another business. It's better to ask than to have an unexpected stranger show up to your photography session!
4) Match your style. The first step in matching your style to a photographer is to view his portfolio. This is a collection of her best work. These images may be seen in one place or throughout his website. If you do not see a sufficient number of images, ask if more are available. You can also ask if she has gallery or competition work available for consideration.
Close-up or far away? Black and white or color? Center or on the side? Soft and dreamy or gritty and edgy? Flexible style or consistent look? Landscape or portrait orientation?
There are no wrong answers to these questions. They are only meant to help you determine which style you like best.
5) Consider customer service. While portfolio images are important, your photographs are only a part of your photography experience. Wardrobe, hair, and make-up assistance may be needed for your session. Some photographers also offer catering and other luxury services, such as facials and massages. Birth and Fresh Baby photographers frequently offer on-call service. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable talking to and working with your photographer. Ask if she has personal and business references available and read any reviews posted on his website, social media pages, or Google.
Do bear in mind that poor reviews rarely reveal the entire story. Look more for patterns, such as consistently good or consistently poor reviews. Once the photographs are taken, there are myriad items that can be produced from the images. Determine which types of wall-art, albums, books, digital files, and other items your potential photographer offers. It's important to note that these items are often not included in session fees. They must be purchased separately, either as collections or individually. When considering pricing, be sure to ask exactly what is included.
Choosing a photographer is an important decision, and there is much to think and talk about. We are honored you are considering AION IMAGING for your photography, and we would love to discuss whether we are a good fit for your needs.Â
AION IMAGING 229.403.9804 www.aionimaging.com aionimaging@gmail.com