Here’s What I Look For in a Photographer
As a professional photographer, I get the absolute joy of capturing heirloom portraits for so many families in the Seattle area. But I’m a mom too, and I know exactly how precious family portraits are, so I make time to have my own family’s portraits taken too. I’ve been the photographer and the client, so I’m here to give you some insights to make the process easier. If I were looking for my family’s photographer today, here’s what I would look for.
Someone Who Has Chemistry with My Family and me
This is so underrated but incredibly important! The chemistry between you and your photographer matters. You need to feel comfortable around them (and your kids do, too) because the best and most authentic photos happen when your family is able to feel at ease and be yourselves. You also need to be able to communicate well with the photographer, so that they can understand your vision and so you can understand their guidance throughout the planning and the photo shoot. Which brings me to my next point…
Someone Whose Aesthetic Vision Matches Mine
As you’re shopping for a photographer, you probably have images in your head of what you hope your portraits will look like. This is why it’s so important to look through photographers’ online portfolios - because when you see a photographer with work that you love, photos that fit the vision you have for your own photos, you’ll know it! If you love your photographer’s work, you can trust that during your session, if they think it looks good, you’ll think it looks good too.
Someone with Happy Clients
Testimonials and reviews are a fantastic way to see what you can expect from a photographer. We all have busy lives, so thinking back, how often do you actually post a review or testimonial for a business? Maybe 1% of the time? So when you see a photographer who has had numerous clients take the time to write positive reviews or testimonials, you know that those clients were truly impressed.
Someone in My Budget…Who Meets the Other Criteria Too
We all love to save a buck, but custom photography isn’t a purchase where you can choose the lowest-priced option and feel satisfied. This is artwork you’re going to cherish for decades as your family grows older and life starts to look different - it’s a lifelong tie to this chapter of your family’s lives. The purpose of custom portraits is to get photos you love. So if you choose the lowest-priced option and compromise on the factors that will make your portraits amazing, then you’ve spent money and you still don’t have portraits you love. Your portraits shouldn’t create financial stress, but price shouldn’t be the top priority either.
As someone who’s been on both sides of the camera, these are the things I would look for today if I were looking for a photographer for my own family’s photos, and I encourage every parent to do the same. Finding the right photographer is the first (and probably the most important) step toward beautiful portraits you and your family will hold dear for years to come! To find out if I’m the right fit for your family, contact Jaimié Birtel Photography and let’s chat.