CHOOSING THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOU
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER SO YOU HAVE NO REGRETS!
Whether you are pregnant, just had your baby or are right in the thick of parenting, you are probably checking out multiple photographers websites trying to find the perfect photographer for you. You know capturing this moment in your family’s life is a must but it might be getting overwhelming with all of the choices out there! You may be wondering what the differences you see really mean for your own portraits.
No one wants to invest their hard earned money on something they will regret!
No worries, I have you! (It takes a village after all)
Here are a few questions to help you know what to look for and help you decide the right type of photographer for your needs (and yes, that might mean I might not be the right one for you - and that’s okay! But fingers crossed that I’m your girl!).
Having photographs you love, that make your heart happy every time you see them, is all part of living your best life. So let’s dive in!
STYLE
When you’ve looked through photography websites in the area, have you fallen in love with a photographer’s style? What does that even mean? Well, it’s like an overall mood to their portraits.
Photography and editing styles may be dark and moody, bright and airy or more true to life colour, or a combination of those – which type do you like the best? (my style would be considered a brighter, true to life colour)
Do you gravitate towards a particular type of photography from lifestyle or professionally posed or a combination of both? (my style would be professionally posed with a few lifestyle poses added when parents ask for those)
Do you want portraits taken in a studio, your home or outside? ( I do not photograph sessions in your home - less cleaning for you! YEAH!)
Do the portraits you see make you smile and get you excited to have them photograph your own portraits? (I hope so!)
Do the set ups align with your own sense of style or do you have a choice on colours so that it can match what you are looking for? (our clients choose their colour palettes so it’s exactly perfect for them!)
Do you like the types of props they may incorporate into your session and do they offer the sets you are looking for – simple or more complicated set ups? (If you are looking for the Boho, organic macramé look, we are not right for you as our sets are more simple and modern)
Does the photographer have a good understanding of light and posing so that you can feel your best in your portraits and know that they are consistent with each client and that they will ensure you look your very best? (12 years of perfecting my craft makes me an expert in the field of my style of photography)
Is there a Photographer with a style that you fell in love with as soon as you saw their work? A photographer’s style is just one aspect that you should consider when choosing who you want to capture these special memories for you.
By asking that photographer to create portraits for you, you are letting them know you trust their vision for your session and are giving them the artistic freedom to create gorgeous portraits you know you will love!
This is what client often consider a lifestyle candid pose, though in reality it is posed, it’s just a more relaxed and floppy position for baby and we will try to capture poses like this if your baby is asleep and let’s us move their arms in this position during your posed newborn session. Often the parents that like this type of pose choose white as one of their main colour choices in a neutral palette and ask us for relaxed posing to be mixed in with our signature posed photos because it looks so peaceful on white. We go over posing options once you book your newborn session into our calendar.
Babies can’t be posed, they move as they want to. During baby sessions I will get parents to either sit them up, lay them on their backs or tummy’s, or put them in a bucket or crate. Then we let them do their thing. Set colours are based on your chosen colour palette but the sets themselves are not overly complicated with a focus on your baby - their expressions are the stars. I can’t help if these adorable twin boys wanted to hug, they were just doing what made them happy and that’s what our studio is all about!
This is a newborn that I have gently and expertly put into this posed position. This is what we are known for and have been professionally trained to create with all of the safety aspects in mind. Choosing an experienced photographer with safety training is a must for newborn photography. Do not let an inexperienced photographer pose your baby just because they are cheaper. Photographers that are more experienced and are an expert in their field cost more and are worth every penny for your peace of mind. We have 12 years of experience photographing over 700 children of various ages with safety as our top priority.
Our Maternity Sessions are fully posed in the studio and outdoors (hand placements, the angle, the chin positioning, the expressions are naturally captured). I do direct with a ‘look at each other’ or ‘kiss her on her head’ and its my job to capture all the magic!
CLOTHING
Are you looking for a photographer to help you with clothing choices if you need it? (we could all use a second opinion sometimes!)
Does the photographer you like offer wardrobe styling advice for you and all your family? (we have a great family styling guide available for all sessions showing neutral and brighter clothing options)
Does the photographer provide clothing? (I have outfits for Mom and baby ready to go in your chosen colour palette)
Will they steer you in the right direction if you want to find clothing options yourself if what they provide is not your style? (I have Pinterest boards for each family member at the ready with types of clothing that photographs well that you may already have in your closets, as well as links to stores that may have what you are looking for Mom!)
Will they be willing to give advice on outfits you may have at home? (I’m just an email or text away - send me some cell pictures of what you may be considering)
Do they offer outfits for your baby that can coordinate with your chosen colour palette? (I have so many options - I’m a prop addict afterall)
A professional photographer is willing to help you in these areas to make the styling of your outfits as easy for you as possible. If you think you will need help with wardrobe styling, it’s important to choose a photographer that offers this service.
All outfits shown provided by Jennifer Willard Photography
PRODUCTS
Want wall art that makes your heart happy every time you see it?
Or maybe you prefer a keepsake album that you and your children can flip through multiple times over the years to remember just how little they were.
How about digital images so you can share them with your friends and family?
Or maybe you like the idea of a special memory box with your favourite portraits tucked inside so you can hold onto those awe-inspiring feelings of being pregnant for years to come, taking them out to show your grandchildren one day.
What products do the photographers you’re researching offer?
It’s important that your photographer offer you the products you love the most, and if they don’t offer it, will they source it for you?
A full service boutique portrait studio won’t leave you with the work of researching products, because you have much more important things to do – like bond with your baby!
(As a full service, boutique studio I offer a wide range of keepsakes you can place in your home that will always remind you of this incredible time in you and your baby’s life)
BRAND
You want to feel confident that you are making the right choice for you and your family.
Does the photographer answer your questions in a courteous and professional manner? (Using too many exclamation marks is my weakness!)
Do they help foster a relationship built on trust and answer your questions promptly during business hours? (I try to answer emails within a few hours 7 days a week, unless I’m sleeping or putting my kids to bed which used to take forever because we’d read 10 books a night but is shorter now that they are older and usually fall asleep 2 chapters into Harry Potter (insert a Mama tear))
How does their overall brand make you feel?
Does it make you feel good about working with them?
Does the photographer specialize in what you are looking for and have many years of experience so that you can trust their expertise? (I specialize in posed newborn, maternity and baby’s first year milestones and am honoured to continue to photograph these families with special family mini sessions every year)
Can you read reviews from other clients? (reviews can be found throughout my site and also on Google and Facebook)
Are they constantly educating themselves on best practices and do they take your safety into consideration when they pose? (I take business and photography related courses multiple times a year)
Being confident with your choice will result in a better experience for you and your family!
Am I the right photographer for you and your family’s memories?
Maybe! I’d love to chat with you and answer any questions you may have to find out!
If I’m not the right photographer for you, that’s okay! I want my clients to be 100% confident in the person that will create their lasting keepsakes.
I hope you found this guide helpful and I hope you find the perfect photographer to capture your portraits.
Am I the RIGHT Photographer for YOU?
