5
things to look for when selecting a photographer
How
do you select a photographer? With all the new "photographers"
popping up with $100 websites and free Facebooks, it is easy to see
why selecting a photographer is so daunting.
It
seems all you have to have these days to be a "photographer"
is a SLR camera and Facebook , then BAM!-you are magically a
photographer.
Please
excuse me while I speak a little candid…
One
of the things you should ask yourself is what is the importance of
photography to me? Do I want something I can pass down to future
generations? Or do I just want something I can post on Facebook and
call it a day?
Before
you go any further let me provide a little prologue to my list. If
you are the type of person who does not care about history or passing
down your family’s heritage-and if all you want are some photos
that you can post on fb for now, then do not go any further. Just
call one of the local shutter moms and you can get a disc of horribly
composed, badly lit, images with no feeling or emotion for $25!
What
is the first thing you would grab if your house was on fire (assuming
of course that all living things were out of the house)? Most people
would say PICTURES!
People
spend so much money on sofas and t.v's, things that will not matter
in 5-10 years. Heck, most people spend $500-$1500 on a cake for a
wedding that gets eaten, but gawks at the idea of spending $500 on
photographs that last a lifetime! Really? I don't understand that.
So
many people have come into my studio (after their wedding they spent
$15,000 or more on) and say, “I wish I would have gotten a GOOD
PHOTOGRAPHER. Is there anything you can do with these?” And then
they hand me a disc of images. UGH!
I
care so much more for my clients then that! Let me give you an
example. One of my daughters is almost 12 years old. When she was a
newborn I took her and had her photos made. Do you all remember those
floppy discs (If you are 15 or younger Google it). Anyway I didn't
want to pay for all those photos, so I gladly handed over $25 and got
them all on a floppy
disc. Now
fast forward almost 12 years, I want to view those images. Guess
what? I CAN’T! Why? Because no one even knows what a floppy disc
is! Same thing with c.d's and usb drives. They will be obsolte in 5
years or less. So what happened to all those adorable photos of my
newborn baby? They are in digital photo heaven, like a moment that
never happened! I want to slap myself when I think of it. Guess how
many images I bought? One! I have one professional image of my
newborn Adyson... That makes me so upset when I think about it!
So
many people ask me daily, “Why can I not get a disc of my images?”
This is the answer: Because I care about your future. I care that you
have something to look at not only now to put on Facebook, but in the
future 5-100 years from now.
Ok
so now that I have that out of my system, here is the question of the
day...
HOW
THE HECK DO I SELECT A PHOTOGRAPHER?
1-$
PRICE
$
This
is not my #1, but I know in the eyes of the consumer it can be. When
someone quotes you a price, do not solely base it on the bottom line.
What does that include? How much time? Does it include a disc?
(Remember what I said about discs. If you plan on getting the disc
and printing your own images please read #3.)
Does it include prints? What about a session fee? Does this include
photo editing? If
it does include prints find out about the quality of the prints.
2-
Qualifications
of the photographer
All
photographers are not the same! Did they go to school? Do they have a
degree? Do they have a certification from somewhere? (Such
as the Professional
Photographers of America).
Do
they have insurance? What equipment do they use? What do they do to
continuously further their education? Be sure to ask these questions.
It is not rude or intrusive. You are investing in your future! Your
great-great grandchildren will hopefully be viewing these photos one
day. Ask for samples of their prints and look at their website. If
they have not at least invested in a website, go somewhere else! I
have heard of many horror stories of people paying for a
"photographer" and never receiving what they paid for. Or
if they do the images are far beneath quality or anything acceptable
as “saleable”.
3-
Print
Quality
Once
you decide that you like their style, ask about print quality. What
does the price of the print include? One photographer could charge
$10 for an 8x10 that includes just the image on a piece of paper,
while a "professional photographer" will charge $40- $60 on
an 8x10 but it includes archival properties, and editing. (Yes,
making the print more expensive, however adding value.) Once again,
what is important to you? Something that looks good on your wall now?
Or something that looks good on your great-great grandchild's wall 75
years from now? I have a cousin who got married 15 years ago. My aunt
still has these images hanging all around the house. I go there and
they are all faded. The purple in the bridesmaids dresses now a faint
dark blue. 15 years later! What are those going to look like in 75
years?
4-
How
is the photographer designing your session?
Are
you calling them on the phone and they are haphazardly meeting you
somewhere? Or do they offer consultations where they discuss who you
are and get to know you? A true photographer should discover who you
are, what is important to you and your family. Where are you hanging
your portrait? If you are the type of person who feels like passing
down photographs to future generations, then this is an important
step! The future generations get to see who you were! Not some cheesy
idea the photographer had! Meet your photographer before the session!
Photography is such an intimate thing. A photographer has such a huge
responsibility. It is our job to capture the essence of a person. We
have one exposure to capture all the attitude, love, compassion,
spunk, kindness and passion.
Meeting
your photographer will allow you to know if you and your photographer
connect. If you do not connect- then find another photographer!
5-
What
products do they offer?
This
is another way to tell if a photographer is a professional. If all
you can get is a disc or some generically printed 5x7's and 8x10's,
take your money and run! Find out where they print their images. If
it is at the local drug store or box store, save your money! All
these photos will be printed on a cheap, glossy paper that looks
horrible even if it is shot right. It should be from a reputable
"professional photo lab".
Do
they offer prints from wallet size to 30x40? Are they archival? Do
they offer printing on Metallic paper, on Canvas, Gallery Wrap
Canvases, or Metal? Do they offer books or jewelry? Does the paper
they print on have a texture? If so what type? Can they edit your
photograph if you wish? If so what kind of editing? Can they swap
heads, edit out blemishes, change clothing color, and make you
skinnier? These are among the broad spectrum of things a
"professional photographer" should be able to do.
These
are a few things that SHOULD be considered when deciding on a
photographer, not listed in any order. All photographers are not the
same! Everyone has something different to bring to the table. Make
sure it is something you are looking for. A true photographer's
desire should be to take the images you have out of your mind and put
it on paper, for you to view not only in your lifetime-but in future
generations to come. Not to make the next buck and send you on your
way.
Please
check out my website.
If you are looking for high quality photos that will with stand the
test of time and also be designed special for you and your family,
then please contact me at:
(912)
576-9570 or email alissawilliamsphotos@yahoo.com
Looking
forward to serving your families, for many years to come!
Alissa
Williams
Alissa's
Masterpiece Photography
www.masterpiecephotos.blogspot.com
www.yourmasterphotos.com
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