Choosing your photographer
- Naomi Seccombe
- Oct 21
- 5 min read
So you want to get some family portraits done - You suddenly realise that you are spoilt for choice with photographers so it all becomes too hard to choose.
Let me help you with a few key topics to help you with your decision!
Here are a few key factors to help narrow down your decision in finding the right photographer for your family: Location, photography style & creativity, value for money, experience, education & training, legitimacy of business and most importantly - the vibe & personality.
Location:
This is pretty simple - If you want something quick, easy and close to home - start searching local.
If you are wanting a destination photoshoot on your QLD holidays - start searching there.
If you are unsure if you want your next family photos on the beach, in a field, in a studio or in the sunflowers... Start local, ask your friends or local mums groups and see what's out there.
Photography style & Creativity:
You will soon realise you really are spoilt for choice with amazingly talented & creative photographers in the Gippsland region. But I want you to really think about your family and how you fit into the photos you see that a photographer has taken. Photographs can be beautiful but "not you".
If you have teenage boys who are all about band shirts, grunge style music and are happy rocking out in a parking lot but all you see is sweet sunsets and neutral clothing - keep looking until you find someone that suits your brief and will make your family feel themselves, or ask if that photographer offers something a little unique. Photographers generally advertise on their website & socials what they want to photograph and what they are experienced in which gives you a good indication of their creative style.
Value for Money:
This is subjective of course, but make sure you are aware of the price of the shoot, what is included, how much extra things cost, what are the upgrade packages and be aware of the quality of the products photographers are offering. What size digital images are you receiving? Are they original high-resolution images or are they a resized smaller size that cant be printed bigger than A4?
I hear too many horrible stories that they 'won' a free shoot only to have to purchase thousands of dollars worth of products after their session which they didn't budget for. I'd encourage you to ask any photographer you are thinking of working with for a full price guide to ensure that the prices for after your session match your budget. For this reason I am very up front with my pricing of sessions and upgrades and they are all available on my website.
Experience, Education & Training:
There is one thing to fluke a few good shots during a family session that runs smoothly. It's another thing to be able to repeat this 100's of times a year with families of all different shapes and sizes and still produce great images.
Believe it or not, taking a photo is much more than just pushing a button. Poor knowledge can leave you with bad quality images that cant be salvaged. For example: Too high of an ISO in low light can leave your images grainy and means they can't be blown up nicely for your wall. Non-colour corrected images can leave your skin and clothes too yellow, too green and inconsistent. The incorrect exposure settings mean images are too dark or too light and there is no amount of editing that can 'fix' these mistakes. Using the right equipment IE: high quality camera and lenses will also make a huge difference in your image quality. Choose someone who has the knowledge, training and experience to operate their quality equipment to a high standard.
Education & Training for newborn photographers should be top of mind. You are handing your brand-new baby over to someone to handle for 2-3 hours. They should know what they are doing and by that I mean more than just being able to take a photo.
Can they wrap your baby safely? Can they tell when your baby is too warm? too cold? uncomfortable? Needs a feed? About to lose it? Do they listen to those baby cues?
Are their props clean, safe, weighted and small/large enough for baby posing?
Do they have all the right hygienic protocols in place as well as immunisations?
These are all questions to ask a newborn/baby photographer.
Legitimacy of Business:
There are lots of full time professional & hobbyist photographers that operate out of their home - do not let this fool you! It's a well-known fact that us photographer have a camera and will travel! Working from home is pretty normal in the industry.
Things like business insurance, police checks, working with children's checks, an ABN are all non-negotiable to me.
Other super important things to note:
Does the photographer have a contract? Invoice? Various methods of payment? Cancellation policy?
Will they still be around in 6 months time when it comes time for your photoshoot or is this just a hobby that will fade out and you'll be ghosted after paying a booking fee?
When you are investing time, money and your trust in a business/person - you want to ensure everything is above board and that they can deliver what they say they can deliver.
The Vibe & Personality:
We are all human and we are all attracted to a certain type of personality. In my opinion, your photoshoot should be an experience that you remember so you should choose someone to capture it that you feel you'd like to hang out with for a 15 minute mini session or a 2 hour newborn session. You should leave feeling welcomed, listened to, relieved, calm and confident that your photographer has documented exactly what you had hoped for. You should understand exactly what the next steps are after your photoshoot so there are no surprises.
Summary:
I really hope that this has been a thought provoking read (and not too long!).
I've been in the industry for 13 years and seen and heard some absolute horror stories about photographers that has really broken my heart. I'm proud of the service and the end result I deliver and I will always do my very best to be as transparent and up front as possible with no hidden costs or fees. Everything is itemised and there are no surprises after your session. Custom quoting is also available before your session or before you even book!
I hope that after researching all the photographers you see in Gippsland, that you land back on my website and we can work together, but if not - I hope you find the perfect photographer to capture your family and that you have a wonderful, memorable experience with whoever you choose.
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