What to look for when choosing a photographer

What to look for when choosing a photographer
By Bob Martin
Bob Martin Photography.net

All too many times we hear horror stories from newlyweds and others about the service or sometimes the lack of service of the photographer they hired.  Some have stated that they did not get any of the promised photographs of their wedding or event.  Some have stated that the photographer will not return their phone calls inquiring where their photographs are, and others have stated that they cannot even locate the photographer.It is always harder to give advice to clients, explaining what to do after the fact, but here are some things you can look for before you hire a photographer.

1.     Does the photographer have a State business license?
Just having a business card and a listing in the yellow pages or on the internet does not make a business.  Most States require that all businesses be licensed and pay taxes, including sales tax.  If the photographer cannot show you his business license, you are hiring a hobbyist. Oh, and if he does not have a business license, he should not be charging you sales tax.

2.     Does the photographer carry insurance for his business?
General Liability Insurance covers a business during their business operation  while they are soliciting your business and during your event in the case they cause damage to you, your guests or to your property.  Many halls and event centers require you and all your vendors to carry this insurance to protect the owners of the event center during your event,,, You should also require it to protect you.
Errors and Omissions (E&O) or Malpractice insurance protects you against the vendor’s service quality,  bad pictures, no pictures, not enough pictures or if the vendor fails to  show up to your event.

3.     Is the photographer a member of a national or local association for photographers?
The largest association for photographers, is the PPA or the Professional Photographers of America, (PPA.com).  Although this association does not judge or regulate the work the photographer does, they do offer certificates of accomplishments, training programs and E & O insurance as well as complaints about the member photographers.   All current members have a membership card with an expiration date.  If the photographer you are interviewing does not belong to the PPA, he probably does not have E&O insurance (which comes with membership to the PPA) and does not feel strong enough about his profession to be a true professional.

4.     Does the photographer have a business location?
Does the photographer offer to let you come to their place of business or do they always want to meet you somewhere else?  While some work from a professional studio, many photographers work out of their homes.  Both should invite you to their place of business to view their past works and discuss your event.  They should have enough pride in their place of business to have you come there.  A photographer with a business “on wheels” can disappear with no trace.

5.     Does the Photographer have back up equipment?
Photography equipment is very sophisticated equipment and yet, for no reason at all, it may not work when required to.  A professional photographer knows this and carries a back up camera, flash, batteries, flash cards and other equipment needed for your special event. Ask to see their place of business and their equipment.

6.     Have you met the photographer and looked though their portfolio?
Personalities do sometimes clash.  If you cannot feel comfortable with the photographer during the initial interviews, nothing will change at your event.
Viewing the photographer’s past work and his processing techniques, will give you an idea of the work you can expect for your event. If the photographer has not done what you want in the past, chances are he won’t do it at your event either. 
Working with photographs after they are loaded on the computer, is at least half the work of providing you quality photographs.  Does the photographer have a photo processing program, i.e. Photoshop, and does he have the training and ability to work with it?

7.     Does the photographer return your phone calls before your event?     
If neither the photographer or his staff will return your calls or emails before your event, do you really think they will after?

8.     Does the photographer seem as excited about your event as you are?     
The photographer does not have to jump up and down with joy with your event, but he should be excited enough to offer suggestions and answer your questions.  He should suggest photo settings and different poses.  Does he have a photo list of the possible photographs he plans on taking at your event and not just a “we will see what happens when we get there”, attitude?

9.     Does the Photographer insist on the Full payment BEFORE the event?
Most photographers do require a down payment before your event, and the balance is usually due when the photographer arrives at your event or when leaving your event, but watch for those who want all the money before they arrive, as they may not arrive at all.

10.     Does the photographer want to sell you albums and frames before your event?
Watch out for the photographer that wants to sell you all the bells and whistles and make you pay for them before your event.  I am not sure how you can decide on how to display your photographs before you know what photographs you have to display.

11.    How long does the Photographer tell you it will take for your photography proofs to be ready for your viewing?
With a large event, it may take up to two weeks for the photographer to go through all the photographs that were taken and do the preparation to get them ready to show you. Watch out for those who give you no time line or that tell you it will take 4 weeks or more.

12.    With all the great cameras that are on the market today, why do you need to hire a professional photographer at all?
Getting a great photograph is more than just downloading the picture from the camera to your computer.  The processing of the picture, after it is downloaded, is half the work towards getting a great photograph.  Yes, the photograph right from the camera may look ok, but I can show you hundreds of good photographs that have been processed into great keep sakes with today’s photo processing software.  Only a professional will have the knowledge to make those good pictures into great memories you will cherish for a lifetime.
Taking great photographs at your event and making sure you get all the photographs you want is more than just having someone there with a camera. Most events, and especially weddings, are fast paced and many unexpected things can happen

 If you hire an amateur, you will get an amateur’s work.  I have heard stories of a friend that promises to take your pictures and at the last minute, sometimes with no warning at all, can’t make it or does not even show up or they get busy visiting with other guests at your event and forget to be where you are when an unforgettable happening is taking place and thus, no pictures at all.  Or those whose computer crashes while they were downloading or working with your pictures with no backups. If you hire an amateur you take your chances.

 to down load the file What to look for when choosing a photographer

This entry was posted on June 26. 2008 at and is filed under Photography. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.