How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your Family

Helpful tips on how to pick the perfect family photographer.

Have you scheduled your fall family photos yet?  Better question, do you know who will be taking your fall family photos?  Finding the perfect photographer who understands the amazingness that is your family can be tricky.  The good news is, it doesn’t have to be!  I have put together my five best tips for finding the perfect photographer for your family photos!

Style

Style is a BIG, we’re talking huge, thing to consider when looking at potential photographers!  For example, let’s say you love, more than anything, black-and-white images.  These images are timeless and tend to capture so much emotion. If your potential photographer doesn’t deliver black-and-white images, this is probably not going to be a good fit for you.  

It is also important to consider the other photos displayed in your home.  Will this photographer's work be consistent with what you already have?  If most of your photos are bold and bright, a light and airy photographer may not fit your style.  

Portfolio

Here’s the thing with portfolios, photographers curate their photographs to show you the creme de le creme of their work.  These pages on their website and their social media pages are created to show you the best possible work, as it should be!  However, that isn’t an entire gallery.  If they are offering you 40 images and you only see three on social media from that session, what do the other 37 look like?!  So, when inquiring about your session, ask to see a FULL gallery.  This will help you get a better understanding of what to expect in your gallery and if their overall work is consistent. 

Past Client Testimonials

Rather than solely rely on the photos, ask to see some client testimonials.  That is if they don’t already have some on their website or someplace else that you have access to (Instagram highlights or Google reviews, for example). 

These testimonials should give you a better idea of what the session experience is like, how they felt about their overall galleries, and whether or not they would return to this photographer.  If the potential photographer you are looking at was referred to you by a friend, don’t hesitate to reach out to that friend and ask all the questions!

Education

Ready to take a peak behind the photography business curtain?  Most photographers have one simple goal when it comes to taking on new clients.  Give them every single ounce of information they could possibly need to prevent having to answer the same emails over and over…and over…again.  Your photographer should answer all of your questions before you even think about having them.  For example, the when and where of your session should be answered in your confirmation email.  They most likely have a FAQ page to help you prepare for the day (check out mine here!).  

As you start communicating with your photographer, pay attention to the communication.  Are you having to ask all of the questions to get the minimal answers?  Or is the potential photographer providing information when the communication is initiated?  Just remember how your potential photographer communicates with you prior to your session is how they will communicate with you after your session.  

Products

I’m going, to be honest.  For some, products are one of the most important parts of receiving your photos. For others, family photos will forever stay in an album on their phone.  I’m not judging you either way! However, if this is something that you are passionate about, then it’s something you need to pay attention to.  

The options here are vast.  Digitals, prints, canvases, metal prints, and albums are just a few of the products that your photographer may have to offer.  Knowing what your potential photographer offers and how it is or isn’t included in your package is something to be aware of, especially if products are something you really enjoy!

Friends, I know that sharing your family with a possible stranger can be nerve wracking.  They don’t know how you communicate with one another, they don’t know what makes you smile or what makes your littles cry.  They don’t know you, yet.  While it may seem like a lot of research to do, I promise it will be oh-so worth it when you see the perfect images created by the perfect photographer!  

If you have any questions that I can answer for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out!  I’m happy to grab some coffee and chat with you!