10/22/2026
Choosing a Photographer for Your Next Project: A Few Insights
I frequently see people on Facebook asking for photographer recommendations—especially for headshots—and boom! The post gets bombarded with 50+ comments and suggestions.
Trying to choose from that list is overwhelming for you (the poster) and challenging for the photographers trying to stand out. So, how do you w**d out the good from the bad, and make sense of the pricing?
I always suggest starting with four core factors: Talent, Price, Final Product Goals, and Trust.
Every photographer has a unique style, approach, and pricing structure. Living in Utah, we are fortunate to have an abundance of talented creators—which is great, but for photographers starting out, it can easily turn into a race to the bottom on pricing.
For clients, bottom-dollar pricing might sound appealing at first. But too often, the final images end up looking mediocre—even if the photographer's portfolio looked great. This leads to a lose-lose situation: the photographer earns far less than their worth, and the client receives photos that fall short of expectations.
I hear about this from both sides. Colleagues feel undercut, and clients come to me needing a complete redo after a disappointing session elsewhere.
Before you hire your next photographer, here are a few tips:
1. Take advantage of free consultations: Even if a photographer’s site listed prices above your initial budget, talk to them to understand the value of what you’re paying for.
2. Look beyond the initial price tag: A cheap option might save money upfront, but can they actually execute your vision? Choosing the lowest bidder often results in higher marketing costs later when you have to pay for a redo—or worse, living with poor-quality photos until your next event or annual update.
If a low budget is truly your only option right now, that’s understandable. But if you have even $50 of wiggle room, reach out to a professional who can walk you through their process and explain why their work costs what it does.
As the old saying goes: Measure twice, cut once. It will save you time, headaches, and ultimately, money.
If you're in the market for high-quality photography and want to do it right the first time, let’s connect!
www.mrascon.com
