How to Pick a Good Portrait Photographer

So you've decided it's time for some nice familyexample, www. or www. If the person has a web
photographs, or maybe your daughter needs heraddress that includes the words "freewebs" or
senior high school portraits, or you want to capture"blogspot" or "wordpress", then the person has a
the beauty of your new baby boy. It's time to find afree site and was not willing to spend even the
photographer that will give you the images you wantminimal amount required to have a professional
at a price you can afford.domain name and webpage. What does that say
Relax: there's lots of good news here! You can get aabout the person's attitude towards their business
top-notch photographer for surprisingly reasonableand equipment?
amount of money. And since each photographer has4. What does the photographer charge? When
his or her own style, you should be able to findsearching for a good portrait photographer, the most
someone whose images you admire.important thing is not price. You can spend $50 on a
Unfortunately, many people don't put a lot ofportrait session but hate all the resulting images. And
thought into choosing a photographer, which willyou can spend $200 on a session and love all the
usually lead to disappointment and frustration. But bypictures, use them as Christmas pictures, and display
following a few simple steps and spending just a fewthem in your house for years. Between these two
minutes online, you will greatly increase your chancesscenarios, which was most cost effective? To a
of finding a photographer you like at a good price.certain extent in photography, you get what you pay
First: be aware that there are too many people whofor. True professionals will charge according to their
bought a big, black camera and started advertisingexperience and level of equipment. If you see an
professional photography services on Craig's List.advertisement for free portraits, or a portrait session
Ownership of a big camera (otherwise known as afor $50, or a $100 session that includes a $50 credit
Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera, or DSLR) does nottowards prints, this is a hint that the photographer is
make someone a professional photographer. Thenot experienced or in demand.
advent of digital photography, combined with the5. What type of photography does the person claim
relatively low prices of DSLRs in the last 5-10 years,to do? Generally speaking, you want a photographer
has spawned a generation of "wannabe"who somewhat specializes in portraiture. It is
photographers. There are two major drawbacks tocommon for portrait photographers to also shoot
this situation: clients have been increasingly frustratedweddings. But I would be wary of someone who
with the quality of images they get from thesesays they do portraits, weddings, corporate
novice photographers, and the photographyheadshots, architectural photography, events,
profession's reputation has suffered. Truecommercial photography, fashion, sports, fine art, and
professional photographers cringe at the proliferationwildlife photography!
of inexperienced, unqualified novices.Once you've used these tips to make a list of
Fortunately there are a few simple ways to spotlegitimate photographers, focus on style. This is the
someone masquerading as a professional:most important part of selecting a portrait
1. First and foremost, look at the image portfoliophotographer. Photography style is a very personal
gallery they display on their webpage orthing. Someone who is considered to be the best
advertisements. If there are no images, beware! Thisphotographer in the world might take portraits of
is a huge red flag. If there is an image portfolio,your family that you hate, depending on their style.
examine the portraits closely. There should be manySome photographers shoot exclusively black and
images, not just three or four - many images will givewhite, or use a tilt/shift lens to blur large portions of
you a more accurate idea of the photographer's stylethe image, or use PhotoShop to significantly alter the
and consistency. There should be a variety of posesoriginal look of the image. Others might take close-up
and types of images - this demonstrates experienceshots of your child's shoe or hair ribbon instead of
and creativity. No two images in the portfolio shouldfocusing on the face. Some might only shoot in their
be of the same person - this indicates thestudio with formal backgrounds, while others shoot
photographer has no experience and just had a friendoutdoors or at your house. This is all a matter of
model for him/her to establish a portfolio.style and is crucial to finding a photographer you'll be
2. Do the photographer's images look similar to thehappy with.
pictures you take with your camera at home? If so,Now it's time to contact the photographers to get
this person is not a true professional. Images takenmore information. How long have they been a
by an experienced photographer with proper lensesprofessional photographer? Do they attend seminars,
and lighting will look dramatically different thantake classes, read photography books, and otherwise
anything you can do with a small point & shootconstantly seek to improve? Do they teach classes,
camera. The backgrounds should be very blurry, sopublish articles, or are they otherwise demonstrably
the subject of the portrait stands out in sharp relief.admired by their peers?
There should be plenty of light in the subjects' eyesMore practically, must you shoot the portraits in their
to avoid the "raccoon eyes" created by overheadstudio, or will they come to your house with all their
sun. Tip: if the subject's face is in direct sunlight,equipment? How many changes of clothing will they
there is a good chance the photographer is not anallow? What prices do they charge for the package
experienced professional. Very few pros will everyou want? These details will help you make a final
photograph a subject's face in direct, full sunlight.decision.
3. Does the photographer have a webpage? What'sOnce you've decided on a photographer and agreed
the web address? A proper professional will investupon the details of the shoot, you should expect to
the relatively small amount of money necessary tosign a contract and pay a deposit to reserve the
purchase and host his or her own domain name. Forphotographer's time.