This is the type of Photographer you want to hire

Regardless of a photographer's current skill level, everyone starts out as an amateur. So, what's the difference between a Professional and someone who isn't? Well, that's not quite the black and white distinction it used to be.

To put it simply, a professional is just someone who accepts payment for a service. Anyone advertising their photography services is technically a "professional". The question we are really asking, when we are comparing photographers, is what is the difference in skill; but maybe more important is what is the difference in the quality of their work and service?

To answer that question, in my opinion, anyone advertising themselves as a professional photographer should be able to do these three things really well:

Plan and organize:

Creating good experiences starts with good plans and good organization. When a photographer responds in a timely manner, provides options, and communicates regularly and clearly those are generally good signs that you are working with someone who is good at providing value.

Conversely, a photographer who doesn't do these things well may be new, inexperienced, or simply over burdened with other work and demands. Not always a deal breaker, but it is something to take into consideration when making the choice to hire someone.

Delivers expected quality:

Always check a photographer's portfolio to ensure you are going to receive the quality of images you expect. Look at their social media accounts,  is their Instagram up to date with current posts? When reviewing the work of a professional, it should be very easy to verify if they deliver the style and quality you're looking for based on recent and past work. Bad photographers don't post their recent work regularly; and some photographers will flat out misrepresent the quality of their work, so be wary.

(So, of course, here's a few samples of our work)

New photographers won't have much in the way of a portfolio, for that reason they can be a bit of a wild card. I personally don't think it is bad to gamble on new talent tho (That's how everyone gets their start!), there's lots of young and upcoming star photographers out there. Just be prepared to be patient and really communicate what you want. New photographers are usually excited to discuss ideas and appreciate samples.

When working with new photographers, you risk a little uncertainty in the final product but as you review their work if you can see they have an artistic eye and their quality matches your budget, go for it! You'll likely have a great experience. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

The exception to this rule is when time is precious and costs are high. As an example, a wedding is tremendously expensive and precious. Newer photographers may not have the technical skill to pull off shots that require fast reaction times or the know how to adjust their settings in challenging lighting situations. Technical skill isn't the only consideration either. Photographers also need to be great communicators and be good at speaking to groups and knowing how to manage people especially when time is limited.

Keeps promises:

Whether it's showing up, or delivering photos by a promised date, there's nothing that says "red flag" like a photographer who doesn't keep their promises. In addition to being unprofessional, it also creates an unpleasant experience when someone doesn't do what they say they are going to do. Period.

No one is perfect, but it's good to ask around. A photographer who has trouble keeping promises may have competing priorities that make it difficult for them to follow through sometimes. If you find yourself working with this kind of photographer, patience is king. Let them know what your needs are for delivery times and ask what their plan is to ensure on time delivery; including specific steps and completion dates. Remember, you hired them and that makes YOU the boss. It may even be appropriate to ask for proof that each step has been completed to ensure that you are getting the service you paid for.

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Example delivery plan to send your photographer if the first deadline is missed:

We would like to ensure our photos are finished in a timely manner. Do you think you could follow this schedule to make that happen?

• Import and select photos for edit and delivery: complete by tomorrow

• Color correct images and send samples: complete by Wednesday

• Finish detail editing (teeth whitening, hair/skin corrections), complete by Friday

• Deliver finished images, complete by Saturday

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Review your contract for options as well, you may be entitled to refunds in some cases.

To avoid these poor experiences look at photographer social media accounts, look for reviews, and if possible talk to previous clients. A photographer who is good at keeping their promises will always be happy to provide referrals and honest about challenges.

In summary, professionals in almost every field are good at the three things we just discussed. Amateurs typically are not because of inexperience; but sometimes even experienced photographers can have a hard time delivering value for their clients.

Nobody starts a business wanting to perform poorly, that's why it's important to provide feedback to your photographer because every professional wants to improve. Ultimately though, photography is an investment which you want to protect so be very wary of photographers who are overcommitted and unable to deliver on promises.

The final thing to keep in mind is budget. There is a photographer for just about any budget out there. As you shop, weigh that budget against the professional attributes we discussed here. Ask yourself if the person you want to hire is able to produce photos/video and provide an experience that is worth your time and money.

What's most important to you when hiring a photographer? Are you willing to pay more for the best? Would you sacrifice any of these areas to save some money? Let us know in the comments and please subscribe!