Finding photographers doesn’t need to be hard, but there are some factors you’ll want to think about to get the best photographer for your project, and a process for narrowing down your selection to a photographer who is going to be great to work with.
Key Factors to Keep in Mind
- Location
- Portfolio Style
- Cost
- Capabilities
- Compatibility
The Hiring Process
RESEARCH
So how do you narrow down your selection and optimize these qualities? I start with researching the area. Local magazines are a great place to start. They hire photographers on the regular and are a great source for names. To find photographers in a local magazine, browse the magazine for content (not ads, as ads don’t typically credit the photographer). When you find a photo that suits your target style, search the page for fine print. In Cleveland Magazine‘s “Best Places to Live” issue I found the photographer names tucked comfortably in the seam in tiny print.
You’ll want to gather 10 or more names.
NARROW YOUR SEARCH
Google the names you’ve found and visit their websites for the sole purpose of knocking your list down. Think about the photoshoot you’re in need of a phographer for. Will it be outside or inside? Do you need environmental graphics or is your primary focus people? How is the lighting on faces? Do you like their style and their eye for details? Are the photos in focus or soft focus? Do their photos have noise and film grain or are they sharp and crisp? How well does the photographer handle different skin tones?
Eliminate photographers that don’t seem suited for your particular job. The biggest question you can ask as you look at a portfolio is, “Would I be happy if this is how my photos turned out?”
PREPARE TO REACH OUT
When you’re getting ready to contact a photographer, you really want to know what you’re asking for. Using the tools below, make a list of any known photos you need, where they will be published, and secondary photos you might need.
Headshots: Some projects are solely for the purpose of getting headshots. A studio photographer or someone who does amazing job of taking on-location or outdoor shots would be ideal.
Editorial: If you’re looking for in-action photos, you’ll want someone with more of an editorial style. Photographers with this skillset are good at capturing people in action and also noticing b-roll opportunities—capturing objects and scenery around the subject matter as well as the people in action.
Product Photography: Talented product photographers are especially skilled at staging and lighting products in environments that show off the attributes of a product.
Know which type of photography makes up the primary goal of your shoot. Also, think about how many photos you’re looking for in the end. It’s normal for a delivery of 75 photos to end up with only 5-10 that you end up using in marketing. Be ready to discuss the number of photos you’re hoping to receive.
A note about licensing and attribution: Photographers have very different feelings about the photos they deliver. Some, who lean towards fine art, will expect to be credited upon each publishing of the photo. They may also refuse to allow other people to alter their photos.
A photographer who specializes in corporate photography for advertising, however, will be comfortable with the idea of being a silent partner in the project. This type of photographer will also understand that the photos they supply my undergo many changes along the way—with added filters and cropping for different purposes. Photos for corporations are used for anything from magazine ads and brochures to presentations and web applications.
If a photographer’s licensing policies don’t coincide with your needs, it’s best to just politely decline to work together.
SELECT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
With your list of needed photos in hand, you’re ready to get in touch! Reach out to a number of photographers, and go through their intake process. This process can be as casual as having a phone conversations and a quick email or as formal as an online interview and a request for a creative brief. The more specific you are about your needs, the more accurate your estimate will be and the more likely your photo shoot will have your intended outcome.
Cost of photographers is much like the cost of anything shopped for. You may find that there’s an amazing photographer whose price astounds you. How could a photo cost so much? Photography is a lot like clothes shopping. Some clothes are incredibly stylish, others may be super high quality; and on the other end of the spectrum, some are functional and workable. Consider where you are in your budget, as you’ll find that photography can be wildly different in price from photographer to photographer.
The objective of your contact with photographers will be two-fold. One is to get the details of the contract in hand: cost, time-frame, licensing, and number of photos needed. The other is to find if you’re a personality match. Do you enjoy talking and working with this particular professional?
READY TO HIRE!
Once you’ve selected the best option for your photoshoot, you’re ready to sign a contract! Keep notes on how the photoshoot goes, and once it wraps up, decide if this is your new photo bestie, or if you’d like to keep shopping for more.
It’s really good to have three photographers you like on hand that you can reach out to for any given project.
Recent Comments