According to Wikopedia, a professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialized set of tasks and orchestrate them with uncommon skill. In other words... a person who gets paid for their skilz! But not all who claim to be a professional photographer by the definition are very professional, nor are their skills. Here's just a few tips to keep in mind when shopping around for a photographer that will hopefully keep you from disappointment later.
What to look for when browsing through their portfolio.
I hope no one ever hires a photographer just by word of mouth!! Always take a few moments before you give them a call to look at their work. There are a few "tell, tell" signs that will immediately tell you if your photographer is worth your hard earned money or not.
Tell, tell signs...
1. Pay attention to the faces in your potential photographers pictures. Are they crazy shaded and dark? Do their clients tend to have "raccoon eyes"? (Unnaturally DARK shading around the eyes.)
If they even display one of these types of pictures this photographer doesn't fully understand lighting... which is the number ONE most important key to photography. If they haven't mastered the first rule what else might they not understand? The face is the whole purpose of taking a portrait. If you can't see it... then what's the point?
2. Do their pictures have a red or orange tint that is completely unnatural? Now I'm not talking about the golden glow of sunset. No, I'm talking about when the client's skin look like it has a perpetual sunburn? Again... lighting hasn't been mastered, plus they haven't learned concept of white balance. Both, very basic principals.
3. Is there a lot of "fuzzy goodness" going on?
Nine times out of ten... that blur is used as a disguise. It's a "wow" factor for the untrained eye, but to the professional eye, it's a way of masking terrible lighting and trying to make their snapshots appear to look professional when they really aren't
Always keep in mind, that there are a million techniques that a "not so professional" photographer can use for a "wow" factor, but if they can't take a picture without having to doctor it within an inch of it's life... think TWICE!
NOTE: If these techniques are applied correctly you will have a beautiful portrait to be proud of for years to come... but when not.... aye, aye, aye.... you've got a mess!
4. How do their clients look in their portraits?
If the clients are posed in ridiculous poses that don't in any way compliment their build or physique, then this photographer doesn't have their clients best in mind. A true professional photographer builds their business around what works best for their clients. They ALWAYS put them first... and what's going to make them ROCK! ; )
Research the Photographer.
1. Facebook is one of the best ways of "meeting" the photographer before... well, meeting the photographer. : ) It always amazes me how rude some true professional photographers are to their clients... or when referring to their clients on Facebook. Right there in public for all to see. If they seem snooty on Facebook... chances are they are snooty and probably hard to work with... despite how good they are. If they don't show the utmost respect to their clients... pass them by. There are plenty of nice ones to choose from. : )
2. Also, Facebook poses the opportunity for you to see what others are saying about this photographer. Like mine, a lot of PP's have their FB page set up to show what they are posting only. (For no other reason, but to show a new comer ourselves and our work first and not have to wade through other conversation, delightful as it may be. : )
If you click on the Everyone (Recent Posts) just above the Share options you'll get to see what other people are saying about, and to the PP.
And lastly...
3. Personality!! With so many truly professional photographers to choose from, be sure to choose one that speaks your language! PP's (professional photographers) usually have a website. (Honestly, I'd be leery of any who didn't.) Be sure to check out their "About Me" page. If you and that person seem to be like minded.. and all the other tips line up... I say GO FOR IT!
With just a few minutes of research and keeping these tips in mind... you'll know what you're looking at and what you'll get in return.
Hope these tips were helpful!! Remember... there are tons of high quality photographers around these parts to choose from. Don't be duped by a "Not So Professional" Photographer.
Ciao Bella!!
Christy C