WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK WHEN HIRING A PHOTOGRAPHER?

Are you looking to hire a professional photographer? For the majority of us, hiring a photographer isn’t exactly an everyday occurrence. Whether this is your first time looking to hire a photographer or not, you should have a list of questions to ask them before you hire someone.

If you want to make sure you are hiring the right photographer for the job, and asking the right questions is key. You are going to find out crucial information about their skill with the camera, how they edit photos, and their past experiences and how that affects their work now. 

If you want the best images from your photoshoots, then these are the questions you should be asking. 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHOTO?

When you ask this question, a seasoned photographer should be able to explain to you the process they take for every photo. They might say something about the viewer’s depth or mention the rule of thirds in photography. Regardless of what they say, a professional photographer should have a thorough answer for this. 

WHAT CAMERA GEAR DO YOU USE?

A professional photographer is going to use professional name brand equipment. They should be able to list of the camera’s body, lens, and filters they use.  You want to make sure they are using the best camera equipment for your photos!

WHAT STYLES DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN?

The majority of photographers have a blend of different styles they use in photography. But you want to make sure they are specializing in the type of style you need, such as portraits or landscapes shots. Find a photographer that is a specialist in exactly what the style you need!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT?

Every photographer is going to have a favorite or eye-opening project they’ve worked on before. This is a great way to get to know the photographer a bit more and get some insight on some previous work. 

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE FOR PHOTO-PROCESSING?

This is important to know so you can find out what exactly they are using to edit your photos. You want to make sure they are using the best programs and software to ensure you get clean and professional-looking photos!

HOW WILL THE PHOTOS BE RETOUCHED?

Photographers handle the editing and retouching differently, so you want to see how they handle the editing and retouching. Are you going to receive your photos untouched first, or will they be sending them to you after they have edited and polished them? What editing is included with their services, and will there be additional fees for extensive retouching?

WHERE DID YOU LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY?

It might be a good idea to find out where your potential photographer learned their skills from. In some cases, you want to find a professional photographer who has a degree in photography or photojournalism. 

WHAT IS YOUR COVERAGE TIME AND COST?

These may seem like a simple question, but it’s important to know before hiring any photographer. Depending on whether they are charging by the project or hourly, you need to find out how much they are going to charge you for the amount of coverage you need.

DO YOUR REQUIRE ANY FEES OR DEPOSITS?

In addition to a project estimate, you should find out what fees and deposits your photographer will require. Some photographers will charge fees for different services and the majority of them also require a deposit paid before the project begins. So find out ahead of time!

WHAT ARE YOUR CONTINGENCY PLANS?

You should also find out if the photographer has a backup camera. Accidents happen and you want to make sure your photographer will be prepared if something does! 

This also applies to an actual photographer. Depending on your photoshoot, will you need a second photographer? If you do, then who will it be? Do they have the same quality and qualifications as them?

WRAPPING UP

No matter what kind of photography work you need, you should be asking these photography questions before hiring a photographer. This is crucial to making sure you are receiving the professional and specialized work you need! 

If you have any questions about photography or need professional photography, head over to our contact page and send us a message!