Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Photographer
You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Photographer”.
You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Photographer”.
Hi Michael,
I’ve just read your entry which I found via linked in. Just thought I’d let you know I think you are absolutely spot on with your comments.
Regards,
Ross.
Pingback: 40 Perfectly Captured Motion Blur Photographs | ModernPhotography.info
Very helpful advice a lot of which translates to almost any profession and the research needed to make an informed decision.
Things can still go wrong after all that effort, so my contribution is to say you should check the photographer has, as a minimum, Professional Indemnity to cover professional mistakes and Public Liability insurance to cover injury to subjects, models or anyone else involved and property damage
Love your blog Michael, educating clients is one of the most important jobs I do for my business.
Educated clients are great clients, they are more appreciative of everything you do.
I try my best to educate clients about the importance of hiring professional photographers by posting blogs with tips and advice on my sites. Below is one such blog. This was specifically written to educate clients looking to hire a good Jewelry Photographer, but it really pertains to all professional photographers.
CRITERIA FOR A GREAT JEWELRY PHOTOGRAPHER
A GOOD JEWELRY PHOTOGRAPHER,
Should have plenty of experience.
Should have an excellent reputation.
Should have a great portfolio of images from satisfied clients.
Should be ethical, enthusiastic, hard working, and creative.
Should deliver on time, every time, always meeting deadlines.
Should care about each and every job regardless of the budget.
Should be conscientious and extremely detail oriented.
Should ask jewelers lots of questions about how they see their jewelry.
Should listen to clients’ priorities and try to focus on capturing the kind of images they envision.
Should produce work that is priceless to the client, so they will recommend the photographer without reservation.
Should consider their jewelry photography to be “art”– and through creativity and professionalism, it becomes art.
There maybe jewelers who feel they get overcharged for their jewelry photography. And there maybe retailers who feel their competitors get better jewelry photography than what they got from the photographer they hired.
There may even be designers who do not particularly enjoy the wait it takes to get their jewelry photographed by a professional jewelry photographer.
But there are far more jewelry professionals who regret not having hired a professional jewelry photographer to attend their needs, or regret not researching their photographer’s reputation and referrals more carefully.
Professional jewelry photography perhaps does not fit every jeweler’s budget, circumstance, and priority– but it can be a truly wonderful and priceless service when handled by a true professional!
In closing, let me pass on a message I have found to be true from past experience.
Associate with those who have both the know-how and the integrity.
I think this applies to all professional services, not just photography.
http://web.me.com/sonya5/Sanchez_Arias_Photography/Tips_%26_Advice/Entries/2009/1/7_CRITERIA_FOR_A_GREAT_JEWELRY_PHOTOGRAPHER.html
Below is a link to a few more blogs about the importance of professional photography, the information contain applies to all types of professional photography, feel free to share.
Educating your clients is key, especially today with so many shooters out there.
http://web.me.com/sonya5/Sanchez_Arias_Photography/Tips_%26_Advice/Archive.html
“Associate with those who have both the know-how and the integrity.
I think this applies to all professional services, not just photography. ”
Michael- I enjoyed your post. The more educated potential clients are about choosing a photographer the better- too often the decision is made on factors that are not really relevant. I put together a similar article on my blog some time ago entitled How to Choose a Professional Photographer. If interested, you can see it at
http://www.blakemaddenphotography.com/blog/?p=1
Thanks- Blake Madden
http://www.blakemaddenphotography.com