How to choose the right photographer for you
When it comes to choosing a photographer for your brand photos (or just any photos in general) it’s important to look at a few specific things before signing a contract with them. These quick things will help you weed out the photographers who are legit, know how to run a business, and help you see that they actually care about their clients.
First, take a look at their editing style and portfolio on their website. If they don’t have a website, that’s your first sign that they might not be fully legit, or are pretty new in the business. Is there portfolio consistent and good. Do their pictures look well lit, composed well, and match the vibe that you want from photos? Do they have a lot of good past work? Do they themselves have good branding photos?
Secondly, do they have at least a Facebook page and Instagram page that are active and that they post to regularly (1-3 times a week). Most seasoned photographers have a lot of their portfolio on their social media pages too, which allows clients to make sure that their work on socials is the same as the work they have on their website. Connect with the photographer you are interested in on socials too. I personally love being able to connect with my clients on socials because it allows me to share some fun personal things with them, so they can get to know me better. Take some time to look through the highlights on their Instagram’s. You can learn a lot about a person by what they save to their highlights.
Thirdly, set up a discovery call with your chosen photographer. In fact, set up discovery calls with a few photographers. See who you connect with. When you have a solid connection to your photographer, it makes your photos turn out 10 times better. Most photographers, at least the seasoned ones, are always willing to do discovery calls. In fact, most of them will recommend or even require it before you book with them. I love doing discovery calls with potential clients because it not only allows you to get to know me, but it allows me to get to know you. I personally don’t require booking a discovery call, but I do highly encourage it before you book me. You can book a discovery call from either my Contact page or my “Book Discovery call” page. And even if we don’t do a discovery call and you know you want to book a session with me, there is always our planning/strategy call (that’s required when you work with me 😁), where you can get to know your photographer and ask more questions.
Lastly, make sure that they have a solid contract that needs to be signed. Their contract protects them, but it also protects you. This is something that I personally have every client of mine sign. In fact, we don’t start working together/planning your session until this is signed. This is extremely important because it protects boundaries and allows us to work together, knowing that we have that mutual respect as it’s outline in the contract.
BONUS: Here’s a bonus thing for you to do, if you want a way to vet your photographer, even further. Go to their Google Business Profile and read their reviews. See how many they have. See what their star rating is. Pay attention to what those past clients said about working with that photographer. Check out Fortis Google Reviews here!
In Summary . . .
Choosing the right photographer goes beyond just liking their photos. It’s about finding someone who runs a professional, reliable business and genuinely cares about their clients. Start by reviewing their website and portfolio for consistency, quality, and a style that aligns with your vision. Look for an active presence on social media to get a deeper sense of their work and personality. Take time to connect through a discovery call so you can build trust and ensure a strong fit, because that connection shows up in your final images. Finally, make sure they use a clear contract to protect both sides and set expectations. For an extra layer of confidence, check their client reviews to see what others have experienced working with them.
