| There are numerous techniques you can employ | | | | 4. Professional Photographic Bodies. AOP (Association |
| when needing to source out a local commercial | | | | Of Photographers), MPA (The Master Photographers |
| photographer. Below I've listed five of the main | | | | Association) and the BIPP (British Institute of |
| search methods that I would recommend to try. | | | | professional Photography) to name a few here in the |
| 1. Local Printed Business Directories. Under the | | | | UK. Most web sites of these professional bodies will |
| category of 'Commercial and Industrial Photographers' | | | | list commercial photographers working in your local |
| you are almost certain to find a few suitable and local | | | | region and might provide you with some useful |
| photographers. Unless of course you live in a | | | | information on all aspects of finding and |
| particularly rural region where you might need to | | | | commissioning photography. Be aware that although |
| search a bit further a field. Many commercial | | | | lots of photographers understandably like to be a |
| photographers opt out of paid printed directories | | | | part of these clubs and associations, many don't. Not |
| since the proliferation of online directories that often | | | | because they aren't professional or acclaimed in their |
| prove to be a far more fruitful investment, therefore | | | | field but simply because they don't like or feel |
| I highly recommend that you conduct an internet | | | | comfortable with such memberships. Also being a |
| search as well so not to overlook these | | | | member of such bodies does not guarantee quality, |
| photographers. | | | | reliability or any professional code of conduct; it just |
| 2. Online Directories. Online you'll find a wealth of both | | | | suggests that those photographers listed subscribe |
| specialist photography directories and more generic | | | | to it in principal. So don't ignore or be unconvinced by |
| business directories. The good ones will have a handy | | | | non-members! |
| link to the photographers own home page which is a | | | | 5. Personal Testimonials. 'Word of Mouth' is a still a |
| major advantage over the printed directories. As with | | | | powerful marketing tool for any business and one |
| the printed versions always try to narrow your | | | | that I would certainly employ if searching for any |
| search to only include 'commercial photographers' else | | | | local trade. A personal recommendation is like gold |
| the bulk of these results will be wedding and family | | | | dust. Ask them as many questions as you can and |
| portrait photographers. A great convenient search | | | | then witness the photographers imagery first hand |
| method if carried out well. | | | | by flipping through the portfolio section of their web |
| 3. Search Engines. Google, Yahoo, Ask, MSN, Bing or | | | | site. This will give you a good idea as to whether or |
| whatever you favour will sure to present you with a | | | | not you really like the style of the photographer, as |
| comprehensive list of local photographers. As with all | | | | you won't want to just book a photographer |
| searches in order to try and narrow down your | | | | because their are reliable, you've got to love their |
| search to mainly include commercial photography I | | | | work too! Working on a personal recommendation is |
| would recommend that you try typing in 'commercial | | | | always a great starting point and is a good way of |
| photographer your location'. Failing that, try replacing | | | | trying to side step as much risk as possible. Do still |
| your location with a nearby city or large town. Don't | | | | check out their web site and don't just simply dismiss |
| make the mistake of just clicking on the paid listings, | | | | other less known photographers in your area, as you |
| or for that matter only browsing the listings on the | | | | may just be missing out on a real gem. |
| first page. Just because the photographer invests a | | | | To conclude I would thoroughly recommend |
| fortune to be listed number one, either to Google Ad | | | | employing a healthy mix of the above search |
| words or to a smart SEO (Search Engine Optimiser), | | | | techniques, draw up a shortlist and then carefully |
| doesn't necessarily make them the right person for | | | | compare and ultimately select the one that is right |
| your project. | | | | for your specific project. |