   |
 The process of choosing the right photographer for your project can be rewarding and a great use of your time, or it can be confusing and wasteful. The key is becoming educated on what to look for and what to ask. Here are some questions to keep in mind: • Does the photographer have an online portfolio? With the growing importance and prevalence of digital portfolios in photographer websites, it's not a great sign if a photographer doesn't have examples of their work for you to view in the comfort of your home. Take advantage of these portfolios, use them to carefully compare the style and technique of the photographers you're considering. • Is the photographer you're speaking with more dedicated to their vision or yours? It's very important for your photographer to have a wealth of ideas and to be filled with creativity, but ultimately, you must live with the final product. If your photographer isn't committed to your specific desires, look for someone else. • Have you asked about rates, payment information, and ownership issues? Make sure your photographer makes the terms of paying for and using your photographs very clear. It's a frustrating experience to spend time setting up a session, preparing for the session, taking photos, and then finding out that the photographer had a different understanding of your agreement than you thought.  Choosing the right photograph from the typically large selection available after a photo session can be daunting. Look for a balanced composition; all elements should feel harmonious, no side should seem to be "heavier". Ensure that the photo you choose has a pleasing palatte of colors, or gray tones if black and white. Try to find the photograph which offers the best focus for the element or elements you want emphasized, and which has the deepest sense of space. Have several friends look at the available photo options and give their opinions, since it can be hard to stay objective when you've been so closely involved with the project for so long. Most of all, ask yourself if your final choice "speaks" to you, if it's an image with which you can be happy for years.  Photograph ownership is often misunderstood. A photographer typically owns the copyright to the photos they take, even if a client pays them to take the pictures. The photographer then licenses the image or images for a set length of time, number of uses, or type of use. A photographer can also do a session as a "work for hire", in which case the client will own the copyright for images taken, but such an arrangement is typically more expensive. Make sure these issues are clarifed before agreeing to a photography session! |