08/20/2026
The Do’s & Don’ts of Hiring a Photographer 📸
When you hire a photographer, you’re hiring them because you’ve seen their portfolio, love their work, and trust their ability to create beautiful images.
Photography is more than showing up with a camera. Lighting, location, weather, timing, posing, wardrobe, and editing all play a role in the final result. So if you’ve chosen a photographer whose work you love, trust their expertise too. 🤍
❌ DON’T ignore location or lighting recommendations.
If your photographer recommends a certain location, direction, or time of day, there’s a reason. A beautiful location doesn’t always equal beautiful lighting. Good light will beat a pretty background every time.
❌ DON’T ignore weather advice.
If your photographer tells you it’s going to be extremely windy and recommends wearing your hair up—please listen. 😂
If they suggest avoiding a certain beach because the sun will be directly in your eyes, there’s a reason.
We can work with a lot of things, but unfortunately, we still haven’t figured out how to control Mother Nature.
❌ DON’T heavily filter or re-edit your professional photos.
This is a BIG one.
Please do not put heavy filters over your photographer’s finished images, change the colors, alter the editing, or have someone else re-edit them.
Editing is part of a photographer’s art and brand. When an altered image is posted with their name attached to it, it no longer accurately represents their work.
If there is something about an image you would like adjusted, ask your photographer first. Most would much rather you communicate with them than edit over their finished work.
❌ DON’T screenshot your gallery if downloads are available.
Screenshots reduce the quality of your images. Download your photographs directly from the gallery using the instructions provided so you receive the highest-quality files.
❌ DON’T crop out watermarks or photographer credits.
If a photographer has provided a watermarked preview or sneak peek, please don’t intentionally remove their branding.
❌ DON’T expect every location or Pinterest photo to look exactly the same.
Pinterest is amazing for inspiration, but lighting, weather, location, outfits, body types, seasons, and surroundings are different for every session.
We can absolutely use an image as inspiration while still creating something that feels like you.
❌ DON’T be afraid to communicate BEFORE your session.
Tell your photographer about insecurities, mobility concerns, must-have photographs, family dynamics, or anything else that could affect your session.
Communication helps us take better care of you.
❌ DON’T arrive late and expect the same amount of shooting time.
Photographers often schedule sessions around very specific lighting—especially at sunset. Ten or fifteen minutes can make a huge difference when we're chasing the last bit of daylight.
And now for the DO'S...
✔️ DO choose your photographer based on their portfolio—not just their price.
✔️ DO look through full galleries when possible so you understand their style.
✔️ DO trust their recommendations on lighting, timing, locations, posing, and wardrobe.
✔️ DO communicate what matters most to you.
✔️ DO show up ready to have fun and let your photographer guide you.
✔️ DO tell your photographer if you're uncomfortable with a pose or idea.
✔️ DO download and back up your finished gallery.
✔️ DO print your photographs! They deserve to live somewhere other than your phone. 🤍
And most importantly...
DO trust the person you hired.
You chose your photographer because something about their portfolio made you say, “I want my photos to look like THAT.”
So give them the opportunity to create.
Listen to their recommendations. Trust their eye. Trust the process. Let them worry about the light, angles, posing, and technical stuff while you focus on enjoying the moment.
You hired an artist whose work you love—let them do what you hired them to do. 📸🤍
