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Focus Friday

BLOG + VLOG of AUTUMN THEODORE PHOTOGRAPHY

Don't forget to ask these questions when hiring a photographer

5/12/2017

38 Comments

 
What are the questions you think to ask when hiring a photographer? Some of the most common questions might be:
  • Are you free on this day?
  • What do you charge?
  • When will I receive the photos?
Autumn Theodore Photography
Photo by Angela Fortin Studio Photography

​Those are definitely important! But there are additional questions that will help you help them get the best photos possible - and deliver them efficiently, and to your specifications. Here are some to consider:
  1. If there are specific photos you want: "Can I give you a list of photos to take?"
    Most photographers will answer "yes yes yes!" to this. What you're asking about is called a "shot list," which is usually due prior to the start of the shoot. Sometimes it's a loosely-defined list of photos to take; for example, at an event, a shot list might include decor, presenters, people chatting during cocktail hour, award winners with event host. Other times, the shot list is very specific; for example, at a wedding, a shot list could include parents of groom, parents of bride, siblings of bride, siblings of groom, cousins of bride and groom, etc. No matter what your needs are (specific or broad), a photographer will be happy to accommodate by following your shot list.
  2. If you expect changes: "What happens if I need to change the date or time of the shoot?"
    You should absolutely ask photographers this prior to signing a contract. (Or perhaps read the details of the contract, because this information is often included there.) Photographers work in different ways, so be sure to know how this type of change is handled prior to agreeing to work together.
  3. To confirm cost: "Are there any additional costs outside of what was proposed?"
    Personally, I include 100% of charges in my proposals, so clients are never shocked by any additions later on. Just be sure to ask if everything is included, especially things like parking charges, shoot venue charges, meals, and hotels/transportation for overnight expenses (if applicable).
  4. If you think your project might go long: "What happens if there is scope creep?"
    "Scope creep" is a project management term that means a project is growing larger than originally anticipated. For an example, lets assume a photographer is charging a client based on time. Both client and photographer agreed that the shoot would likely take 3 hours, but instead it took 5. To avoid awkward conversations, there should be a plan in place, outlining cost of overtime, when overtime takes place, and if there's an updated timeline that affects when the client should expect to receive photos.
  5. What about prints? "Are prints included in my proposal?"
    Photographers handle prints in so many different ways. Some photographers only provide digital images (where clients can download them and order their own prints from anywhere they like), other photographers don't give clients printing rights and expect them to buy prints directly from their website. Just be sure to ask lots of questions about how your photographer handles prints so that there aren't any surprises after the shoot.

What other questions have you asked photographers that really helped both of you? I'd love for you to share in the comments below!

Happy Friday!
Autumn
38 Comments
Ernest London link
7/26/2017 01:45:39 pm

I like that you mentioned to find out how a specific photographer handles prints. My wife and I are thinking about hiring a photographer for our family reunion, and we definitely want a lot of prints. I will definitely remember to ask about this as we are interviewing candidates, because prints are important to us! Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Autumn
7/26/2017 05:59:45 pm

Ernest, I'm so glad you found this helpful! Best of luck finding the photographer who fits your needs perfectly, and have a wonderful family reunion! :)

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Sammy link
9/30/2017 12:48:07 pm

I am newly engaged and now I'm actively getting everything ready for the wedding and reception. We have been looking for a good photographer and I really appreciate your tips for what to ask yourself before finding one! I will write down all of my answers to these questions and take them to the potential photographers for my events to determine which will be the best fit.

Reply
Autumn
10/14/2017 10:53:53 pm

Sammy, congratulations on your engagement! How exciting :) I'm so, SO happy that this has been helpful to you! Best of luck as you plan your wedding!!

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Mark Finch link
10/17/2017 08:21:55 pm

Great article! I have a family event coming up next month and am looking to hire a photographer to take pictures throughout the event but I have a specific "look" that I want all the photographs to have and when you said that photographers will definitely accommodate such requests is the best news I heard since this morning.

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Autumn
10/18/2017 12:55:29 am

Thanks for the kind words, Mark! I'm so glad this article was helpful to you! I hope your family event next month is a hit! :)

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Ridley link
5/3/2018 02:06:32 pm

These are great tips for hiring a photographer. I like how you said that it's important to ask and see if all the costs are included in the estimate. Getting surprised by extra fees is never fun, and that goes with photographers too! We're trying to find someone to take our family portraits, so this is helpful.

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Autumn
5/3/2018 03:15:10 pm

I'm so glad it was helpful for you, Ridley! Thanks for commenting!

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Burt Silver link
6/11/2018 01:26:58 pm

I really like what you said about a shot list and how that can help a photographer to take more specific photos of the event. This is good to know and something that I will have to keep in mind because my fiancee and I are getting married and want photos of ourselves. It would be great if we could find a photographer that is on the ball and able to help us get the photos that we are hoping for.

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Autumn
6/11/2018 07:06:19 pm

I'm so glad this was helpful to you, Burt! And a big congratulations on your engagement!! :)

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Jordan link
6/19/2018 06:46:43 pm

My wife and I have been wanting to get some family photos done, and I think that being able to get some information would be nice. I like that you talked about how you should ask what their policy is on changes. I'm going to have to look for a good family photographer and see what we can find!

Reply
Autumn
6/19/2018 07:22:35 pm

Jordan, I'm so glad that you found this blog post helpful! If you're looking for a great family photographer, I HIGHLY recommend Rachel Barehl : http://www.racheljoybaransi.com/family-photos/ :)

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shubho link
7/10/2018 04:48:08 am

nice article. Everyone should keep in mind those tips

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Autumn
7/10/2018 07:29:31 am

I’m glad you enjoyed it! :)

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Ridley link
8/24/2018 06:03:53 pm

It's good to know this about hiring a photographer. We want the perfect photos of our wedding, so I'll remember this. Hopefully, we can find someone without any additional costs, like you said.

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Autumn
8/24/2018 11:28:13 pm

I’m so glad this was helpful for you! Happy wedding planning!

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Stephen Foulkes link
10/2/2018 07:58:28 am

Great article keep it up! I hope all wedding planners and potential people hiring photographers ask these questions!

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Autumn
10/2/2018 09:23:21 am

Thanks Stephen! I hope so too :)

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Sariah Meagle link
3/5/2019 07:44:28 pm

It would be helpful if the family photographer I'll hire will oblige to take specific photos I want to make the photos stand out for my first family album. If in case there are any changes, I'd be glad if they are flexible once we are able to alert them ahead of time. I'll be sure to confirm the cost of their fees so that we know how much their services are worth.

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Autumn
3/6/2019 12:02:44 am

All excellent thoughts, Sariah! Thanks for reading this post and sharing your ideas!

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Daphne Gilpin link
4/8/2019 03:19:08 pm

I like how you said that we should ask about what happens if we need to change the date or time before signing a contract, since there's a wide variety of ways that photographers handle this issue. My husband and I want to find a good photographer to hire to take the senior photos for our daughter who will be graduating soon. I'm glad I read your article because I hadn't thought to ask about the cancellation policy of potential photographers.

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Autumn
4/8/2019 04:03:12 pm

Daphne, I'm so glad this was helpful for you! :)

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Angela Waterford link
4/25/2019 08:54:08 am

Thanks for the tip that I should ask the photographer if I can see a list of photos that they took to see if they are good at taking family portraits. I think that some changes are bound to happen sometimes so I want them to be flexible if it ever happens. It would be nice if prints are included in my proposal but it would be good to ask so I will be aware if it would be included so I'll make sure to find a photographer who can fit those standards.

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Autumn
4/25/2019 09:41:19 am

Awesome, Angela! Yes, definitely do all of those things and it will help you find a photographer that gives you photos you'll love! :)

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Bree Ward link
5/7/2019 01:26:18 am

Thanks for letting me know that it's possible to ask for a "shot list" as a basis for your wedding photos. I'm preparing for my wedding, and I'm currently looking for a credible photographer. I'm gonna have to let him know about the shots that I want them. I always thought that the photographer is the one who gonna decide for all the angles and shots. Now I know.

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Autumn
5/7/2019 09:49:29 am

So glad you found this helpful, Bree!

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Angela Waterford link
6/21/2019 11:36:32 am

I hope to hire a family photographer who can follow a list so that my family's photos look great. Thanks for the tip that I should ask about additional costs as well. Since I think that our time can be rather unpredictable, I'll make sure to hire someone who has a flexible schedule.

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Autumn
6/21/2019 12:00:05 pm

So glad you found this helpful, Angela!! :)

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Ron Booker link
2/12/2020 02:25:55 pm

I like that you mentioned to find out how a specific photographer handles prints. My wife and I are thinking about hiring a photographer for our family reunion, and we definitely want a lot of prints. I will definitely remember to ask about this as we are interviewing candidates, because prints are important to us.

Reply
Autumn
2/12/2020 02:32:16 pm

Ron, I’m glad this was helpful for you! :)

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Ron Booker link
5/1/2020 03:59:29 pm

The company I work for is looking for a commercial photography service to help take pictures of our new office. So I appreciate your suggestion to find an experienced professional since they will be able to produce better pictures as well as be producers for the shoot. I will be sure to tell my boss that he should hire a commercial photography company that is very experienced since they will give us the best photos.

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Autumn
5/1/2020 05:24:31 pm

Well depending on your physical location, you've got one right here!

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kate hansen link
7/16/2021 03:53:46 pm

It's good to know that you should look at a list of photos they have taken! My husband and I need to find a photographer to help us with real estate photography for our website, and we want to make sure that we can find the right professional to hire. I'll make sure to keep this information in mind as we search for a photographer to hire.

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Autumn
7/16/2021 05:42:55 pm

I’m so glad this was helpful, Kate! Good luck finding the exact photography services you need!

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Charlotte Fleet link
12/9/2021 04:43:25 pm

Thank you for your tips on what to ask potential photographers before you hire them. You make a great point about the importance of asking beforehand if they will take the specific photos that you want. I think it would be crucial to find a photographer that specializes in the type of photoshoot you need to be done.

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Jessie Holloway link
1/4/2023 02:55:12 pm

Thanks so much for the suggested questions to ask a potential photographer when you're looking to get photos done. My partner's little sister is graduating high school this year and she wants to get professional photos done for her announcements. We've been looking into the best ways to find a photographer that will fit her style and personality to get the best results.

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Thomas Clarence link
1/9/2023 03:47:28 pm

It was interesting to me when you explained that photographers work in different ways. My wife and I are trying to find a photographer that we can hire since our daughter is going to be starting her senior year of high school next August. We will have to interview a lot of photographers so that we can find one that works in a way we like best.

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Photobooth Hire In sydney nsw link
2/21/2023 04:44:52 am

Similarly to the first article, this one also includes a set of questions to consider before committing to a photographer. Experience, approach, and cost are just some of the areas covered by the questions. Anyone looking for a photographer would benefit from reading this post because of how well it's structured.

Reply



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