Who’s the Best Photographer? (For YOU!)
So, who is the best photographer? I have opinions about this, you probably have opinions about this and just about everyone else does, too. But there’s a better question: who’s the best photographer for you and how do you choose the right photographer?
If you’re in a position where you need photography and you’re wondering how the heck you’re supposed to choose who’s right for you, I have a couple things to consider to help you figure out who to choose:
- Location
- Type of photography they shoot
- Style
- Personality
Let’s break these down.
Location is a straight forward one - are they near where you are, or does this matter al all? It’s just something you’ll need to consider. Do you need a local photographer, or do you need someone who’s local to where you want your photos shot? If the photographer you want to hire lives somewhere other than where you are, consider what it might take to get to them, or to get them to you!
Type of photography should be a no-brainner, but you need to really think about it. If the photographer’s portfolio consists of weddings, then they’re not going to be a good fit for your band promos or a fashion lookbook. If they’re a fashion photographer, they’re not going to be a good fit for your event. You get the point. This isn't to say that a photographer can't do any of these things, but what they show in their portfolio is going to be what they specialize in.
Style is huge. Look at the work they have and see if they’re style fits what you’re going for, or if it seems like they can produce a new style for you. Again, look through their portfolio and get an idea of what they specialize in. If you're after something that is way different than what they shoe in their portfolio, then they may not be a perfect fit for you.
And, last but most important is Personality. Photographer’s are people and like all people, there are some of us who are awesome to work with and some who just aren’t. Personality can overrule any of the other three considerations above because if they’re willing to collaborate with you and go above and beyond what you’re expecting and bust their butts to make the images that you need, then that’s the person you want to work with and that’s the photographer who’s right for you. Beyond all of that, you want someone you can build a relationship with. If the photographer you work with gets your message and can produce amazing work for you, then this is a person worth keeping around. Plus, you're always going to need more photography so it’s a good idea to start working with someone you feel confident in and can trust!
I left one consideration off that I’m sure some of you are thinking about: Price . The truth is, you know what you’re able to spend and any photographer worth their salt will either be able to work with your budget, or explain why it wouldn’t be possible. Keep this upfront with the photographers you’re inquiring with and keeping things fair for all parties involved should be smooth sailing! This will also be a good way to tell who’s a good person and who’s not. Practice good business constraint so you don’t get taken advantage of, but this shouldn’t be a deal breaker to getting amazing imagery.
As always, I’d love to work with you! Hit me up and let me know what you might need photography for!
If this post was helpful to you, subscribe so I can let you know when I come out with something new and please share this with your friends and anyone else you think it might be helpful to!