09/13/2016
So it's that time of year again!! 👨👩👧👦📸 Family Photos!!! If you don't currently have a favorite photographer; finding one can be overwhelming!! If you need one, I know photographers all over the world!! I'd love to direct you to one!
This will be my first year not shooting!!! Eek! So crazy! I'd like share what I've learned over the years of shooting family pictures.
📸- STYLE- It seems obvious but be sure you look at a portfolio, FB page or a website to make sure you like a photographers style. Really good photographers have very distinct styles. Be sure you love the look or style of the photographer you choose. Asking or expecting them to shoot in a completely different way will not yield pictures you cherish. This also needs to be said. There are a lot of great photographers out there. But there are a lot of people with digital cameras that call themselves a photographer but have no idea what they are doing!!! This is why it's so important to ask to see their work!!
📸-COST💵-Be sure you are very clear on the fees/costs of the photographer. Each one does things different. Some charge a sitting fee some do not. Some offer packages, some charge a la cart, some offer both. Do they offer any digital images to share on social media. Ask to see all pricing before you book. An advantage of having a professional photographer is print quality! Pros have pictures printed at a professional lab on high quality paper.
Again, it needs to be said; you get what you pay for! Professional photographers put a lot of time, energy, and talent into a session. They will spend hours editing one session. The time they spend with you at the shoot is only a small portion of the time they put into your shoot. If you want point and shoot quality pictures have your friend do them. If you want stunning photos that you'll treasure for years to come hire a pro. They understand lighting, posing, they've spent countless hour scouting locations, they shoot with professional cameras that they understand, they've invested in professional lenses, they've invested in countless hours of training and they know how to edit with professional software.
📸-TIME⏱-Have a discussion with the photographer about turn around time. You'll want to be clear on what your shoot entails. How long is the shoot, how many proofs, how long until I get the proofs, the format for delivering your proofs, how long does it take once I order my prints/albums/canvas.
Be sure to ask these things. Both you and the photographer will be glad you did.
📸-PERSONALITY😜- If you aren't comfortable with the photographer while you are setting up the session you most likely won't be comfortable once you are in front of the camera either. You want to choose someone that you'll enjoy the day of your session. Be sure if you have small children that you ask if they have an assistant. Family pictures can be stressful, a pro knows how to make sure everyone is relaxed and having fun! I've become very close to most of my clients over the years. There is a bond and trust built. That may sound funny to some, but you are trusting this person with capturing your family at a special moment in time. I've grown with my clients families, I know them, I know what they like and what they expect. If you have no trust or like for the photographer it will show in the pictures.
💥Some Extras💥
📸-A really great photographer will give you suggestions to style👚👕👖👔👗 your shoot. I think for some moms this is the most stressful part. Having your photographer help you will take some of that stress away👍🏻
📸-A really great photographer will give you a guarantee that you'll love your family pictures!
📸-A really great photographer is obsessed with the little things, the details! They take the time to make sure your hair is right, that little Johnny's shirt isn't bunched up, they take great care in setting up each shot!
📸-A really great photographer will capture the uniqueness of your family and the interactions you have throughout the session. If it's forced it looks forced in the pictures.
As a mom and a photographer, I know how stressful it can be to get the whole thing together. With the help of a professional you'll end up with pictures you'll treasure for a lifetime.
