How to choose the right professional photographer for you | Sarah Lindsay Photography | Denver Senior Photographer | Denver Senior Portraits

How to Choose the Right Professional Photographer for You

Let me start by saying, this is NOT a plug for self-promotion. I genuinely want you to find the photographer that fits you best! Finding the right photographer for you will give you the best experience possible and produce the best photos for your needs. Working with the wrong photographer can lead to a sour experience and photos that you just don't like, not matter how pretty they are. So let's get started!

#1 Figure out what style of photography you like

To start, scroll through Instagram or Pinterest and pay attention to what types of photos you are drawn to. Are they dark and moody? Light and airy? Are the colors vibrant or muted? Does it look posed? Candid? Are most the photos tight (subject is large in the frame) or wide (subject is small in the frame)? Figuring out what you like about certain photos will allow you to narrow your search for a photographer right away, making it easier to find your perfect fit! It will also allow you to communicate effectively with potential photographers to let them know exactly what you're looking for.

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#2 Talk to photographers on the phone or in person

I know, I know... it's scary to actually talk to someone. But you can't judge a person's personality based off their emails. And, in my opinion, personality is the most important thing to look for in your photographer. If your personalities don't mesh, then you're going to have a crappy photoshoot. Whereas, if you really jive with your photographer, you're going to have an amazing experience, you're going to look happy in every single photo, and you'll look at your photos and remember how much fun you had. 
By talking to potential photographers in person or on the phone, you'll also be able to judge how professionally they run their business which can make a big difference in the long run. Will they deliver your photos on time? Will they misplace your payments? Do they have insurance? These are all headaches you want to avoid!

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#3 Budget

Money is always a touchy subject and I know I, for one, want to save as much money as possible no matter what I'm buying. But the old saying, "You get what you pay for" is DEFINITELY true when it comes to photographers. A lower priced photographer is most likely a less experienced photographer. I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, heck, I was there once too and I am forever grateful for the first clients who hired me! You just have to decide how important it is to have a more experienced professional photographer. 
That being said, I would suggest finding a photographer you like (personality-wise) and if they are over your budget - save, save, save your pennies. I promise you, it will be worth it in the long run. Your professional photos will last forever, so making the investment in a really amazing photographer is totally worth it (you'll thank me when your 80 years old and looking through your old photo albums with your grandchildren, I promise). 

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#4 What do you want as the final product from your photoshoot?

Do you want digital images to share online? Do you want to see framed prints hung on your wall? Do you want cool self-standing acrylic blocks for your desk? These are all things to consider when looking for the right photographer. Many of you know, I am a huge proponent for physical photographs - whether that be hanging on your wall or an album on your coffee table - something that you'll see and will make you happy EVERY day. In my experience, when you get digital images, you share them on Facebook and then they sit in a folder on your computer, forgotten, and never seen again. Heck, I still haven't done anything with my wedding photos! Come to think of it, I'm not even sure where they are on my computer.

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