First and foremost, know what you want and what matters to you most! If you know that, finding one will be easier, because choosing a good photographer in a saturated environment can seem daunting. Not to mention , everyone who has a phone with a camera seems to believe they are a professional photographer. So how do you know who’s a good one? Here are a few things that I look for in a good photographer.

1. There work: Have you looked at their portfolio? Instagram? Do their images meet your ideals? Is the quality of the images what you desire? Many photographers will have a style of their own. Is that a style you like? If not they may not be the one for you.

2. Experience: When it comes to photography, it will be less important if they went to school and majored in art than if they have been practicing photography for years in the field. A good photographer will know his camera like the back of his hand, and know how to adapt to your needs. Have he or she done what you are asking of them to shoot before, or is it a new genera for them? A good photographer will be able to discuss the potential problems you may encounter and offer solutions or even recommendations on how to accomplish the work with the greatest degree of success.

3. Communication: Do they communicate with you successfully?

1. A. The Business Aspect: Despite the type of photography, you should know pretty quick if your photographer is a good communicator. Do they get back to your call, text, or email? Do they provide you with details up front to help speed up the information gathering process? Do they ask questions? Are they open about their pricing and what they charge? Are they proactive, discussing your specific needs and helping you to reach those goals, or are they just going to show up and figure it out? Are his or her words professional or do they seem nonchalant? Often how they get back to you when you reach out will be the first sign as to the type of communicator they are.

2. B. With People: Many people feel uncomfortable in front of a camera. A silent photographer can only make things worse. Are they taking the image? Am I standing right? What do I do with my hands? I don’t know how to pose!? A good photographer will make you feel at ease as best they can. A great one will feel like a long time family friend has come back into your life. In my personal experience, an outgoing photographer is better for in person types of photography like weddings and events, which often have more people and demand better interpersonal communications. On the other hand, for more loner types of work like sports, product, car, or candids, this trait is less important.

4. Gear and Tech: Most professional cameras these days will produce great results. The error comes often times in the users ability. Thus it may be wise to ask a few tech questions to see where they stand: Do you shoot in RAW or JPEG? (Raw images are larger files that allow greater play and recovery when editing, which will result in a greater image in the end.) Do you use prime or zoom lens? (Prime lens are ideal for portrait photography and often produce a much sharper and cleaner image because there are no moving parts in the lens, as a result these lens are fixed at a certain focal length. While they can provide certain difficulties they often produce better results. Zoom lens have their place though, and are helpful in fast paced environments where switching lens on the fly is less practical.) Do you edit your photos? What software do you use? (Lightroom, Photoshop, Luminar, etc.) Many people obsess over the camera itself, which one is it! but the ability and knowledge of how to use it is far more important in the end.

Choosing a good photographer may be daunting but it is possible. Do your research, read reviews, interview them, and look at their work. Doing these things will put you in a good position to know whether you are hiring a good photographer or not!