6 tips for choosing the best photographer!

Whether you’re looking for a photographer for your newborn session or hiring someone to capture photos of your family, you want to be sure that you choose the right person for the job. While pricing often plays a huge factor in choosing a photographer, it shouldn’t be the only factor you consider.

Professional photos are an investment in your memories, giving you something tangible to look back on in the years to come to help you remember the moments that matter most. That’s why it’s so important to hire a photographer who can capture the images you want and help you hold on to those memories.

Know what style of images you want

Every photographer has a different style. Are you looking for more candid, photojournalistic images? Or do you want posed portraits? Maybe you have your heart set on natural light photos, or maybe you’d prefer the studio setting. 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.

Here at Stinsman Photography, all of our sessions are customized, so you will never seen the same session from one client done again for another. Whether it's lifestyle or posed, we create the best version of that to make it extra special for you.

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 if you can view a full gallery from one of their sessions. While you don’t need to request a full gallery from every potential photographer, if you’re down to two or three, it doesn’t hurt to ask to help you make your decision.

At Stinsman Photography, we have multiple session galleries link on the portfolio pages so that you can get a good idea of our style and how we work with clients needs.

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 packages, products, options, and anything else that comes to mind. A pro will be used to these questions and will have answers ready for you.

We are an open book! Any question, dont be scared to ask. This session is for you, so we want to make your dreams come true!

Be clear on your rights

Understanding the permissions and rights around your photos is important, especially if you’re planning to print the images yourself. Talk to any potential photographer about whether you will have printing rights or be able to post photos online. Most photographers offer a release that allows you to use the photos in any way for your own personal use, but it’s important to understand the specifics before you sign a contract.

 At Stinsman Photography, we offer printing rights up to the size of 8x10. Why do we only offer up to 8x10 you ask? Because when printing larger, consumer companies just stretch the pixel of the photo you send them. Yes, you get high resolution images with us, but some companies have different standards and printing qualities. We also can not guarantee the colors when printed outside of us. Our computers are calibrated with the lab that we use to make the images look exact like your digital images. 

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 you and your photographer don’t mesh, your session may be awkward or just no fun, and that’s the last thing you want. Meet with your potential photographer before you book your session to be sure they’re a good fit for you.

At Stinsman Photography, we always set up a phone call with all of our potential clients before anyone books. We want you to feel comfortable with us and also us with you. We want to make sure we can do what you want. After you decide we are a good fit for you, we set up your design consultation to really go into depth about your wants and needs.

Determine a budget

Before you book a photo session, you should have a clear idea of how much you can afford to spend. You may find a photographer you absolutely love, but their packages may be completely out of your price range. To avoid that disappointment, figure out your budget before you start looking so you know right away if a particular photographer just isn’t possible for you.

On each of our portfolio pages, we have our session fee, what that includes, and starting package pricing so that you don't have any surprises. Once that pricing is in your budget range, we talk about the other options that we offer to make your session perfect.

When it comes to choosing a photographer, it’s important to get all your questions answered upfront and to find someone whose style and vibe matches your vision for your images. The better your connection with your photographer, the more comfortable you’ll feel and the better your photos will turn out!

 

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