5 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Photographer

Photography is personal.

The pictures you take during a photo session are ones you should be able to cherish for years to come. That means it is important that the photographer you work with can see your vision and that you can trust them to make it a reality. On a more practical level, it’s also critical that you know what to expect from them before, during, and after your session.

To help you on your mission of finding the right professional photographer for you and your family, I’ve compiled this list of 7 questions you should be sure to ask any photographer you consider working with.

For all of these questions, there’s no right or wrong. Every photographer has a different way of doing things and none are inherently more or less valuable than others. The only thing that matters is that it lines up with your needs.

Style

“How would you describe your photography style?”

This question will help set expectations for the product you will receive when everything is said and done. Does your photographer tend to prefer posed and formal photography or more candid, lifestyle images? When they edit, do they like to turn colors up so they are a little more vibrant, or do they prefer light and airy or vintage and matte looks?

For my part, I much prefer candid photography because I believe that it better captures the personalities of my clients and makes each session a special event. In editing, I tend to gravitate to more bright, even cinematic coloring because I like the way it makes the subject jump out visually.

This is also a good time to ask about their favorite photos to take. Knowing what they personally enjoy taking pictures of can be a good indicator of the photos you can expect to receive from them.

For example, I love taking pictures of personal achievements and human connections. Mountain bike photography appeals to me because it’s a chance to capture someone conquering a challenge. On the other hand, I enjoy family — and wedding photography in particular — because of the hugs and the laughter and the love. That’s why I tend to lean towards candid photography. I want to capture those real moments that usually happen when the camera is off.

Preparation

“How do you prepare for a new venue or location?”

This question is especially important if the location of your session is special to you or if you have a specific aesthetic in mind.

For any venue, there are two main things a photographer is concerned with — how to incorporate the space best and how to handle the lighting.

You picked that location for a reason, whether it’s for family photos, a wedding, or any other event — it is special to you in some way. That thing that makes it special and unique and your photographer should be prepared to make that come across in your photos.

Accomplishing this partly comes down to the consultation between you and the photographer. As part of your conversation, they should make sure that they understand and ask questions about your vision. I also like to research the place and try to find a chance to see it in person prior to our appointment to prepare some ideas for the session.

As for lighting. I like to say that photographers are painters — the difference is just that we paint with light. Being prepared for the lighting situation — is there lots of natural light (ie outdoor venues)? Are there shadows to account for or tree cover? Is there yellow light that needs to be accounted for? — is a key part of what makes a skilled photographer. They should always try to get a sense of what the lighting situation is going to be beforehand and prepare accordingly.

Session Fees

“What does the session fee include?”

Obviously, you want to know what you will be expected to pay and if that fits in your budget.

But another thing to consider is what is included with that session fee. How long will the session be (most family portrait sessions are an hour long)? How many images can you expect for that fee? Are there any additional costs, ie upgrades in session time, travel, images, etc. Some photographers have booking fees that only include the time for the session, while the photos themselves are a separate cost, so you want to know ahead of time what to expect and when it is due.

At Red Family Photo, I charge a $200 session fee that is due at the time of delivery. This guarantees 15 edited photos, which will be delivered as digital downloads, plus a $50 booking fee due at scheduling (travel fees may apply for sessions outside Fort Worth).

Image Delivery

“How long does it take to receive my pictures?”

This can vary a lot between different photographers, but in my mind, there is really no wrong answer. At the end of the day, what matters is that they deliver quality work. If they are super speedy, fantastic! If it takes a little longer for one photographer to do it than others, so be it.

The important thing is to avoid miscommunication by asking upfront. If you’ve discussed a timeline, you know when it’s okay to reach out and ask for updates.

Another good thing to ask about is the delivery method. These days, most photographers deliver all images as a digital download, but some do include options for printed pictures. Make sure you know how you will be receiving yours.

Cancelations

“What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?”

Life happens. Most photographers are familiar with the unforeseen forcing a sudden change of plans, but that’s no reason not to be familiar with your photographer’s policy. If you want to make sure you are covered, you can always ask for a policy that guarantees free rescheduling within a certain time frame before your session date.

At Red Family Photo, I don’t refund the booking fee, but I am more than happy to use that booking fee to reschedule to another date.

I hope you learned a lot from this post. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via the Contact page or at redfamilyphoto@gmail.com.

Subscribe to our newsletter below for notifications on related content and special offers!