Communication is a practice I not only hold dear to me in my personal life, but in my Photography business as well. I recognize that hiring a Professional Photographer is not something people do on a regular basis, but that each business is often run so differently that the ‘rules’ can easily change.
A very common question I receive is, ‘When should I hire a Photographer?’ No matter if you are looking for a Photographer for maternity, birth, newborn, baby, children, or family, my answer is pretty much the same across the board.
The Baby Whisperer - Alexandria Newborn Photographer
I think the best way to look at this is before you hire anyone, first jot down some basics:
What am I looking to have photographed?
When?
When I look at photos of a similar photographed people, are there similar things I love? Black and white, lots of style, candid, etc?
What is my budget?
How important is this to me?
You don’t have to spend much time on these questions, whatever comes quickly to mind. It’s no secret that there are a many options to choose from regarding photography, so knowing a little more about what your specific desires are will help you narrow down your options right off the bat.
After that, reach out to a few Photographers you like, share your list if you’re comfortable (they should be able to honestly agree if they can meet your expectations), and then ask to speak with them a bit more. If you have children, does that Photographer seem to be good with kids? Are you a private person that needs your Photographer to have a calming presence? If you have a million questions, will they be happy to patiently answer each one for you or are you simply part of an assembly line of other clients?
Infant Snuggles - Alexandria Birth Photographer
Going back to the original question, I would say it’s never too early to being looking for, talking to, or meeting with the person you think is best for you. Once you are comfortable and you are confident your needs will be met, that is the best time to hire your Photographer.
If you think you may be hiring a Photographer in the future and would like to chat more, please reach out to me! I’d love to talk about what you have coming up and how you can best be served.
Xo
Teresa
Teresa Robertson received her Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in Photography and Fine Art Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After serving as a volunteer for several years with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, she became interested in Birth Photography and Birth Doula (DONA) work as well. She soulfully resides on the island of Oahu, is passionate about preserving the land and culture, and is proud to serve on The Queen’s Court.