It is getting to that time of year where families are getting together and often the idea of family portraits comes up. Whether you want to find a photographer to record a family event or to just to get some portraits done of the family, choosing the right photographer is an important thing.

It is essential to find a photographer that will give you the best possible images. They are something you are going to want to put up on your walls and give to others. It is important that you are proud of them and want to share them. You don’t want to end up with portraits that you feel resentful towards and remind you of a bad experience.

Looking for a Photographer

When you start looking for photographers you can start on Photographers.com.au, where you can see the folios of many of the photographers. You should look at many and see which ones have images that you like. It is important that the person you hire works in a way that you love.

As you go through the folios, mark the ones you like. Think about why you like their work. Of course, you need to see where they are and, if they are not near you, how far they will travel. You may be able to pay more to get them to come to you.

The most important thing this that you have to like how they take photos. Don’t pick someone that does something that is only okay and think that they may do something special for you. If they aren’t already doing what you like, chances are they don’t know how or won’t.

Getting Information

Once you have your list, it is time to start narrowing it down. You can start this process by going to their websites and seeing what is there. You need to find where they are, how much they charge and if they have any packages.

The one thing most people want to know about is price. How much will it cost?

We all know that when you hire a photographer it inevitably costs far more than what you first thought, so be prepared for that. You have to know what your budget is from the start. Educate yourself so you know what is covered. There is often the session fee, the cost of prints, and maybe framing.

Look at how much the session costs. What is covered in the session? If it is just to take photos and nothing else, then find out how much the prints will cost. Think about how big you want the prints and how many of each size. Do some estimates so you aren’t surprised at the end.

All photographers should be prepared to share with you how much they charge for prints. If they aren’t prepared to be upfront about the costs, then you need to ask yourself why and if you want them to be responsible for taking your photos.

Look into packages. See if they offer any. Sometimes a package can be a great way to get exactly what you want. See what the photographer offers and whether it has everything you want or need. If there are a couple of other things you would like, don’t be afraid to ask for them.

Once you have your Short List

It is time to start narrowing down your options. Contact each one and ask them some questions. This is a good way to see how comfortable you feel with them. Tell them what you are after and listen for how much they care. This is important if you want something special, you have to know that the photographer is prepared to listen and let you get what you want.

Of course, if you decide to go with a photographer that has a very specific style and that is what you like, you can’t expect them to change what they do to suit what you are after. It would also be unfair to go to a photographer and tell them about another photographer’s work and ask for the same style.

You should also find out about their time frame and how long it will take them to process your photos and do the prints. You have to be careful that you aren’t left waiting for a long time.

If the occasion you are engaging a photographer for is something very important, like a wedding, then make sure they have insurance to cover them. You never know what could happen and the last thing you want is to have all the photos taken and then the photographer losing them.

Finally

Remember that you get what you pay for, and if they photographer is very cheap there could be a good reason for that. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You have a right to know what they use to take the photos, what their experience is and what it will cost you.