So you just googled ‘best family photographer near me’ and you got 58 million results, you start scrolling and everyone is either drastically different or exactly the same. Do you choose the first result on the google search because, let’s be honest, we all do it and that would be easy?

You pack your family up and head out to a nice park for outdoor pictures. The sun is shining, it’s the middle of the day, hot and a chance of rain. You begin to sweat as the photographer is telling you to smile. A kid throws their ball into your pictures and your family dog takes off after the ball. A recipe for disaster.

Aside from gut instinct, how do you choose a photographer? How and what do you ask to know if it’s the right fit for your family? Before we even get to what you need in a photographer, first think about what you want in a portrait.

Location

Are you looking for a beautifully posed classic studio portrait or do you prefer the more candid lifestyle outdoor portraits? Most photographers specialize in one or the other, so this makes for a good starting point when looking for your best family photographer.

Group Size

How many people will be in your portrait? Does the photographer have the space for a large group? Make sure the photographer has examples of groups that are a similar size to yours in their portfolio, so that you know they can pose that many people together well. Posing multiple people together is an art form in and of itself.

Style

Just like any art or artist, photographers have a certain style to their work. You want a Rembrandt but they are a Picasso. If your style and the photographer’s don’t match up, then you will not be able to accomplish the art piece that you desire. Be honest with what you like and let your photographer know because the photographer should be open about being able to achieve your desired look.

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Never forget to ask a crucial question again! Download the 10 Essential Questions To Ask When Looking For Your Best Family Photographer Today

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Products

Think about what types of products you want out of your session, most of all, a personalized album of your family, a stunning wall portrait or both? What type of paper do they use and what process is used in producing the images on its medium? Hardback cover, soft back cover, leather, or cloth are a few options photographers use for albums. Archival photographic paper, canvas, Giclee Canvas, in addition to other more unique mediums, are all used for wall portraits. The medium used can make all the difference in the quality of the work and the lifespan of your finished art piece.

Artistry

Do you prefer the natural look of an unretouched portrait, would you rather have a few pounds and a few years taken off with Photoshop or how about an art piece that has been fully rendered into a painted portrait? These are some of the many options available and not every photographer has the necessary skills for advanced artistry.

Portfolio

Check out the photographer online. Do they have their own website? FaceBook? Instagram? Twitter? Pinterest? What kind of work do they have displayed? If you don’t love what they offer, then cross them off the list. You and the photographer should love the work they do.

Personality

This is key. This should be someone that makes you and your family, especially the kids, relaxed and feel comfortable. Fake smiles will happen and that’s ok, but having someone that can engage everyone in the portrait and capture the essence of your family and their natural expressions is vital.

Credentials

Awards and accolades look impressive. They are impressive but not necessarily a factor in choosing your best family photographer. It should be about the quality of the images, not the organization they have joined. Yes, it does show a certain level of commitment to their art, but a unique piece that you will love is more important than the number of awards they have received.

Guarantee

Is the artwork guaranteed for life? What are the stipulations for any guarantees they offer? Low quality printed artwork can begin to fade in as little as one year. Find out how long your finished art piece is rated to last and if they are willing to replace anything that begins to fade too early.

Design Assistance

How much help do you need to make ordering decisions? Many photographers offer in-person ordering sessions so that they can help guide you in choosing size, finish, and framing options. While others have an online ordering process, leaving you in charge of all ordering choices. Make sure you consider what style you prefer and choose accordingly.

Investment

Is there an upfront cost or do you only purchase what you love? Some photographers charge a session fee up front and then you purchase products as an additional cost, while others only charge for the products that are purchased. Most photographers don’t give out a full price list, but asking for a price range should let you know if this photographer is right for your budget.

Reviews

Do you know someone that is raving about the photographer they hired? Are there testimonials on the photographer’s website? Yelp reviews? FaceBook reviews? Check out what others are saying about what their experience was like.

Pet Policy

If you are interested in the family pet joining your session, make sure to ask if this is an option. If you think little kids are hard to photograph, pets can be extremely difficult for some photographers, and for that reason many will not photograph them at all.

 

In the end finding the absolute best family photographer for you will require some research, but knowing what questions to ask can make the process much easier to tackle.