Choosing The Right Photographer For The Job…
In these times of a slow economy, more and more people find themselves looking to save as much of their money as possible and often end up compromising quality for quantity. With the advancement of technology and sophisticated circuitry, anyone with a mid-range digital camera and a couple of lenses can take some great pictures, and in some cases market themselves as photographers for hire but, there’s more to being a photographer for hire than just having a camera and taking good pictures.
The professional photographer spends years developing his/her craft, studying, practicing and developing a style and the ability to consistently deliver a quality product. This of course only comes through long hard hours of work, repetition and dedication and most often, trial and error. Not that you have to spend years of studying and sacrifice to be a professional photographer, as there is always the exception to the rule, but for the most part it will take some time before someone just starting out can call themselves a pro, in other words everyone has to pay their dues. This is not to say that there is no room for amateurs in photography because everyone has to start somewhere, just not at the top. In short, there is no substitute for experience, and the pro knows the difference between success and disaster.
In most cases, people start looking for a photographer when they have an important event or happening in their life, and as such want to document and preserve that moment in time. Here is where you should think about what you want and how you want it done. Now I realize that money is most always an issue and naturally you want to get the most for your buck, but buyer beware, as the old adage of “You get what you pay for,” couldn’t be truer here. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask the photographer about their experience, how long have they been in the business, what are their rates, cancellation policies, contracts; ask them to see a sample of their work and above all be honest and straight forward about your expectations, because the true professional will expect and act in turn. Make sure that you are satisfied with his/her services before you sign on the dotted line and feel free to get other quotes, after all, this is your show and no one will be offended if you shop around. You have every right to do so and go with what’s best for you, but don’t say, “Well I have a guy who will shoot the wedding for $500.00.” after you have just told the photographer that you’re planning an elaborate 3 hour wedding with 800 guests and an eight-hour reception, because he/she will most likely say, well then you should get them to do it. Remember photographers have to eat too and if price is an issue negotiate the terms. Just know that while you may save a lot of money by using the “500 Dollar Guy,” you could very well end up with nothing to show for it. Now I realize that this may sound a little far-fetched but you would be surprised at the lengths some people are willing to go to, to get a good deal. Sometimes if a particular photographer’s services are outside your budget, tell them and he/she may refer you to someone else who is reputable and reliable.
In short do your homework, find what works for you and go with it, but remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
