How to Choose A Good Family Photographer

One of the biggest questions I get from clients is, “How do I choose a good family photographer?” That’s a totally valid question! If you are planning to book a family photo session, you’ll no doubt be excited to have some beautiful images that capture your family’s story. You’ll also want to make sure that you hire the best possible photographer. Someone you can trust to do a brilliant job on the day of the session. But you aren’t sure where to start.  Does this sound like you? I’m here to help!! Below, I’m sharing How to choose a good family photographer! I will share with you how you can quickly choose the style of family photography that is best for your family, and the questions you should ask a family photographer before you decide to hire them. Don’t forget to join my VIP group –Click Me-! 

What to consider

Before you start comparing different photographers in your area, I recommend spending some time doing a little research to decide what type of family photographs you would like to have. There are many types of family photography out there: from in the studio photography, to outdoor lifestyle photography, to in-home photography sessions and documentary-style ‘day in the life’ sessions. 

Another thing to consider is the Photography Genre. Photographers will often specialize in a type of photography such as Families, Newborns, Weddings, Maternity, etc. Choosing a photographer that specializes in families will assure you they are comfortable with working with children and directing the family dynamic for the most authentic and genuine photos. 

Next, consider style – photographers are artists and will typically have a signature style, look or feel to their work. Styles that are commonly known are Light and Airy, Dark and Moody, Golden Glow, or Timeless. Look through their work and see what speaks the most to you. Pick something that resonates with you and your family. 

And finally, consider their consistency. You want to feel confident that a photographer is capable of reproducing the images you see in their portfolio for your own family session. Look through their portfolio and pay great attention to how consistent their work is. When looking through, you should be able to notice a trend in the style of shooting and editing. 

Now you have a list! 

How to research

Google and Facebook are great places to research for a photographer. Are you a part of a local mom group? Great! Put out a post looking for a photographer. You’d be surprised how many referrals you’ll get that way. And the one thing I suggest to do when you get referrals is google them and look at their reviews. You can also look on their Facebook page for reviews as well. 

Typically, a great photographer will be well-liked and have outstanding reviews. Take the proper time to read the reviews and ask yourself: Are they good with kids? Are they responsive and professional? You’ll want to pick a photographer that is known for what you need. 

Questions to ask a family photographer

Now that you’ve got your list of family photographers who fit the style you like, it’s time to get the questions ready to ask. This part can be hard to put together. What do you ask? Sure, you could find information on their site about them but knowing the right questions to ask when you inquire with them can be the deciding factor on if they are a fit or not.

Here are some questions I recommend that you ask:

1. Where do the sessions take place? 
2. Is the photographer insured and do they provide a contract? 
3. What help does the photographer offer to prepare you for the session?
4. What is included in the package(s)?

Where do the family photoshoots take place? 

You’ll often be able to answer this question by looking at their website. Their portfolio will show their work and you’ll get a good indication of where the sessions take place. Do they have a studio, work in outdoor locations, come to your home or a combination of all three? 

Is the photographer insured and do they provide a contract? 

Things happen, we know this is life. Booking a photographer who has adequate insurance in place is important. Generally, this will be both professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. This protects both you and the photographer, and when it comes to protection… well, as moms we know just how important that is. 

The same is said for a contract. Having a good contract in place that details what services the photographer will be providing, pricing and cancellation, or even postponement terms – contracts protects both you and the photographer’s business. 

What help does the photographer offer to prepare you for the session?

As a photographer myself, I often offer ways to help my clients prepare for their session such as what to wear and what to expect, as well as how to prepare your children for the session. What you’ll find as you do your research is that some family photographers offer this kind of help as well. But since every photographer is different, it’s best to ask upfront how they can help you prepare for the session. Some will give you a guide and some will offer a chat on the phone to walk you through everything. 

What is included in the package(s)?

Every photographer is different when it comes to their pricing. You should always ask what is offered so that you can decide what works best for you. Keep in mind you need to know if you are just looking for digitals or if you are looking for beautiful wall art for your home. There are photographers who only offer digitals and there are photographers who offer products with digitals, and it’s best to know which one you are looking for. 

I hope this was helpful for you! If you’d like for me to capture your family memories, I’d love for you to contact me HERE!