5 Tips for Hiring a Pro Photographer for Your Business

In looking for a photographer, obviously seeing their images is paramount and is often what leads you to pick up the phone. But as in all steps you would take for your business, it’s important to look a little deeper than just the images when making such an investment. 

Breadth of Work

Ask to see a comprehensive sampling of their portfolio. Seeing they have worked with individuals and companies in a variety of businesses demonstrates they understand that one size does not fit all. Your headshots or website photos ought to fall in line with your brand and what you are trying to communicate. This doesn’t mean they have to have photographed in your exact industry, but knowing their work runs the gamut ensures they’ll know what to do with you, as well.  

Knowledge of Light

A good photographer understands light and how to work with it. This does not mean your photographer has to be a master of artificial light or off-camera flash, but you want them to be able to walk into any shooting situation and know how to make it work for what you want for your business.  As questions and take a thorough look at their portfolio. If every image style and set up looks like same, there’s a good chance they may only know how to work in one lighting scenario.

They Ask Questions

If you’re hiring a pro, chances are you’re spending some decent money. Make sure he or she asks questions about you, your business and what you are looking to accomplish. I spent 10 years in marketing and brand development prior to starting my photography business and imagery is a huge part of your brand. Consistency in look and feel most certainly extends to your photos. Make sure your photographer understands your vision and talks to you about how they will make it come to life.

Responsiveness

In any business interaction, responsiveness is key. Photography is no different. When your photographer responds to you immediately, makes themselves available for conversations and questions, and provides quick turnaround on items, you are getting an inside look into how the rest of the relationship will go. If you find yourself waiting on them from the outset, it will continue that way.

Referrals

Finally, ask for referrals. Experience is everything. And I don’t mean years in business or number of clients. I mean the experience previous clients have had. As is the case in most professional services, the photographer can be the very best at what they do, but if they are difficult to work with, eventually that end product comes at a price. Talk to two or three previous clients to decide if the photographer is right for you.

If you can click off on all of the items above, chances are you’ve found yourself not only a great photographer with knowledge of their craft but a smart businessperson with whom you can build a lasting professional relationship. 

The Girls

For the better part of 2017 and early 2018, my 11 year old daughter, Casey suffered from migraine headaches. They caused her to vomit profusely. Even on herself in her classroom, on one occasion. The anxiety that accompanied that incident made getting to school very difficult, for awhile. There were days when she had to physically force herself, through tears, to simply get through the door. And I know on those days, her good friend, Anna, would walk beside her silently, an arm draped around her shoulders. Ensuring Casey knew she didn’t make that walk alone. The significance of that small gesture is not lost on me. Sometimes the very best thing a friend can do is simply show up and walk beside you. No words are necessary. Their presence speaks volumes. I know this, first hand, and seeing my daughter share that bond with her friends was the motivation behind this shoot. These young women are Casey’s tribe. Her ride or die. Her core. And I love them all like my own. 

Writing about this subject and these young women has had my mind all over the place. I have so many thoughts on it because I can’t think of them without thinking of my own girlfriends. My sisters, really. I don’t have a biological sister. I’ve never felt I needed one because that role has been filled by so many wonderful women over the years.  

As I’ve grown older and been through more life experiences, both good and challenging, many things have happened in my friendships. My relationships with some have deepened, while others have run their course. And that’s ok. I’ve got cores from all aspects of my life. Sometimes it seems like a lot to keep up with. But they’re all there for a reason and I wouldn’t trade any of them. There’s grade school/high school (yep, I said grade school). There’s college and there’s my adult life. And in what I believe to be a unique situation, pretty much all of them have met one another and some have become friends, as well.

The importance of these women is coming full circle as I’ve watched Casey grow relationships with the young women in these photos. Their parents are friends of ours, so they met as infants. Went to different schools, then the same school and then different schools, again. But nothing about their bond has changed. If you follow me on social media, you may have seen my post about Casey’s birthday. Every year, she wants nothing more than these three girls. And after their time together, she wants their families to join in, as well. She’s never needed the big hoopla party. She just wants time with her girls.

This is their “mess with one of us, mess with all of us” faces.

It was cute when they were little and they would play dress up (they still do sometimes) and make videos (still doing that too) under the watchful eyes of us parents. We’re still paying close attention, but as they are getting older, their freedom is expanding, and I know they are enjoying that. However, what also comes with getting older is a hell of a lot of changes. Relationships get more complicated, hormones kick in and the body reacts, schoolwork gets a little harder, drama is around every corner and no longer will everyone always make the team. In seeing all of this happen, I’ve really appreciated bearing witness to the solidity of this foursome.

What became glaringly obvious to me with the migraine situation is that these young friendships aren’t just giggles and dressing up anymore. They are morphing into strength and support when Mom and Dad can’t be there to provide it. When they have to be turned loose to handle tough situations without us, these friends will have each other. For that, I am so grateful and it is such a blessing to be able to watch, even if it has to be from afar.

But it also scares the hell out of me as it’s all happening so fast. Hence wanting to capture it in time, as best I know how. They’re still silly as hell. The eye rolling is at a minimum, for now. But, it’s coming. Henny and I just discussed with one of the girls parents last night, that soon, high school will come and we won’t see them from morning until evening, when after school practices are over. Then it’ll be dinner and homework. So all of what we get to witness now, will be happening where and when we can’t always see it. It frightens me and I often wonder who I will be when “all day mothering” isn’t as necessary. But that’s a subject for a completely different post.

For now, I wanted so badly to capture what I see as the purest form of beauty in these growing female friendships. Ride or die. Casey has some solid ladies in her life and I hope she always will. Try not to smile when looking through these photos. I dare you.