You’ve decided it’s time to update the family photos, you need senior pictures taken, or you are celebrating someone or something special in your family but you aren’t sure where to begin and what to look for in a photographer?
There are quite a few options when it comes to photographers in Savannah so how do you know you are getting the best work, the best price, the best experience for the money you are investing? Spending hundreds of dollars on photographs is kind of a big deal so here are a few tips for how to get the best for your time and investment!
Style, Editing, and Consistency
You need to make sure your style and the style of the photographer you choose match. Hiring a photographer who has a dark and moody style when you lean toward images that are light and airy won’t help you love the photographs and want to display them around the house. Style is style and there is no right or wrong way but you know what you like and hiring someone who doesn’t photograph in the style you prefer isn’t a great idea.
You also want to make sure your photographer edits photos!! A professional photographer can take great photos with just their camera but the polish comes with editing!
Also, make sure their work is consistent. Follow them online or ask to see a full gallery from a similar session, if a photographer doesn’t have consistent style and editing don’t be surprised if your session doesn’t turn out as planned.
Here are some examples of how style and editing make a difference! In each set, the first is straight out of camera, the second is my preferred edit, and the third is a darker editing style.
Are they a professional or is this a hobby?
Hiring a professional, that’s someone who has a business license, insurance, takes secure payments, contracts, a website, etc. can help ensure your investment is protected.
There is nothing wrong with having someone who just enjoys taking photos be your photographer but just know they might not have the best ways to deliver your images, they might not be covered financially if one of the kids accidentally knocks their camera out of their hands and breaks it, and they might not keep your images longer than dropping them in an email and calling it a day.
A professional should have insurance, in case of an accident, they should have a website where you will receive a gallery with your images, and they should have a longterm backup storage plan for your memories.
They should take secure payments not Venmo or PayPal friends and family. There is no protection for your investment or for their services if the payment does not go through a legitimate payment portal. PayPal does have a business portal, which is an acceptable form of payment but you should not be paying for services via the friends and family section. You also shouldn’t be paying an additional fee if you want to pay with a credit card.
For reference, I have a State Farm insurance plan, provide online galleries where you can easily download your images, store images long term on two external drives, and use a secure payment processing company called Stripe for invoices.
What’s Your Budget?
There is no right or wrong way to price photography services. Some charge a single price upfront, some charge a retainer then have you choose a package when you see your gallery, some charge a sitting fee then have pricing for images and prints after the session. However the photographer you use charges, make sure you know up front what the full cost of your session will be.
There are countless ways (and no wrong way) to charge for photography services and so many types of sales. digital only, product/prints only, a mix of both. Please make sure you know going into the contract what you are signing up for.
If you are unsure, ask! If the photographer you are asking gets annoyed by your questions that’s a red flag and they aren’t the photographer for you! Same thing if they can’t or won’t provide a full price list for their services and products. You don’t want to put $400 into a sitting fee then be surprised to learn after your session you purchase products, digitals aren’t included, and the minimum spend is $1,000.
Interested in booking a session with me?
I would love to send information to you for a family, beach, or senior session! I’m upfront with my pricing and don’t believe in hidden cost/fees!
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