When you need a professional, there are a few common mistakes when hiring a photographer that are easy to make, but thankfully, just as easy to avoid.
Avoid these common mistakes to make sure that your hiring goes without a hindrance and ensure that you end up booking the perfect professional – whatever your occasion.
1. Not hiring a professional!
OK – so this article is all about hiring a professional – so why is the first mistake here about hiring a professional?
Well, you’d be surprised how often planning to hire a photographer ends with someone saying ‘I have a friend who does a bit of photography – let’s get them to do it. They have a good camera”.
Whether for a wedding, a corporate photoshoot or anything in between, the “I have a friend…” conversation is one to avoid at all costs (unless the friend actually is a professional, who earns their income taking photos. In this case, read on and apply points 2-7).
Photography is not just about having the right equipment; it’s understanding how to use it, technically and artistically.
It’s about having the right training, knowledge, and experience.
A professional with an old iPhone will take a better photo than an amateur with all the ‘right’ equipment. Every time.
2. Not hiring the right professional
On the subject of experience, hire a professional photographer who has experience in the type of photography that is relevant to your shoot.
Don’t hire a wedding photographer to shoot your corporate event or the real estate that you are listing.
Like any professional skill, people specialise. You may well find a photographer who specialises in several different photo types – and that’s fine. It means they have taken the time to learn each set of disciplines, but if you have someone who only specialises in (say) real estate, then don’t ask them you take your business headshot.
3. Not checking their portfolio
The next common mistake often made when hiring a professional photographer is not looking at their portfolio of work.
Within each different type of photography, professionals will express differing styles. Some may be more artistic, some excel shooting in black and white, and so on.
Take time to look through a photographer’s portfolio before making a hiring decision, to see if their style suits what you are after.
And don’t hire anyone who hasn’t got a portfolio to show to you.
Here are some great examples of professional photography portfolios.
4. Not making a shot list
A professional photoshoot is the result of a conversation, between you and your photographer.
They need to understand what you want from them, and you, in turn, need to understand how they work and what they will be doing.
A great way to start this conversation is by preparing a shot list – that is, a list of the photos you need to have and also ones you’d like to have if it is possible to do. A general outline of the event may also be useful – anything you think will help the photographer to understand what you are wanting from the shoot.
Putting it in writing helps you clarify what you mean and makes it much easier for the photographer to be clear what you want to achieve from the booking.
If you can do this a few days in advance of the shoot and get it to the photographer then that is even more helpful, as they have a clear picture of the day even before they arrive.
A shot list is a basis for the photographer to then ask any questions they may have to further understand what you are wanting as your photographic outcome.
The clearer the understanding between the two of you, the easier the shoot will go for everyone concerned and the better the results will be.
5. Not cooperating, or trusting your photographer
Carrying on from the last point about a photoshoot being the result of a conversation – remember that a conversation is two-way communication.
Once your photographer understands what you want, they may have suggestions which will improve the shoot and the results, or they may have to explain why something cannot be done the way you want (or that it can be, but that it won’t look how you expect).
They are the one with the experience and they will bring all of that to the shoot. Remember that if your professional says something needs to be changed, it’s not because they are being awkward – trust them – they know what they are doing. And they want the best photos just as much as you do because their reputation as a photographer depends on it.
So when your photographer is saying something about the shoot, listen to them.
Cooperate when asked to, trust them when they explain a point to you. It will make a positive difference to the photos you get as a result.
6. Not keeping the same photographer or agency for multiple shoots
This will not apply to every circumstance, but if you are in a corporate situation and require multiple photoshoots over days or months, stick to the same photographer, where possible, if the consistency of style and quality is important to the results.
Multiple photoshoots for branding and marketing, for example, can be required several times a year in some cases, so a consistent style and tone needs to be maintained.
Sometimes an agency may supply a different photographer to different shoots, but usually only if they have consistent standards that are understood by all their professionals, which means the result will be the same.
7. Not hiring a videographer
This is another point that won’t apply to every scenario, but if you are hiring a photographer, then consider whether a videographer would be of benefit as well.
Hiring both together (if that is an option) makes sense from both a budget perspective and from a working one as well.
Often, video footage will add a whole new dimension to an event which can be used separately or intermixed with the photographs for creative presentation.
If an event is worth photographing, then it is probably worth videoing as well. This is true in many circumstances, from weddings to real estate sales to corporate events.
Splento is the only photo and video service you’ll ever need and have professionals available wherever and whenever you need them, globally, for a fixed hourly rate.
Most important – every photographer has already been assessed and individually vetted. This means that not only do you that they have the right experience for what you need, you also know that their work is of the highest standard.
Splento photographers can also work remotely if required (for safe distance product photography, etc), and you can book them for when you want them (even if that’s tomorrow).
Your final retouched photos will be delivered within 24 hours – guaranteed. (Even faster if you need it).
Splento has a long list of amazing customer reviews and you can, of course, check-out their photographer portfolios online.
Best of all, that fixed hourly rate is only £99 ($149) per hour – which includes delivery of the retouched images.
For more information, contact Splento today.
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