People take up photography for different reasons, but somewhere in the course of moving from amateur to professional, one reason always surfaces. We love preserving memories. People hire photographers for any number of reasons. Photographers shoot weddings, portraits, maternity, babies, and everything in between.
Weddings: Chris and Bryan have two different stories when they look back on their wedding photos. Bryan spent nearly $5,000 dollars on his wedding photography and he has a leather bound album, with a black and white metal print cover. Bryan has some very artistic creations from his photographer that hang on the walls of his home. Chris spent under $1,000 dollars on his wedding photographs and has a lot of 4×6 prints.
Chris used a family friend who had taken photos of his wife through grade school, but his photos have exposure issues and lack personal connections within the photographs. This is a driving reason for Chris and why he photographs weddings and wants to preserve the memories for his clients. The bottom line: you get what you pay for. Ask to see whole weddings, wedding albums, and warranty information.
Portraits: Two different photographers will photograph the same person, on the same day, in the same location, two different ways! Take if from Chris and Bryan. They sometimes try to drag their clients in two different directions at shoots! But the great part about the duo is they can get both. Family portraits can be something very meaningful generations later. Bryan’s favorite family portrait was not taken by a photographer. It was by Grandma. It is all 5 generations of men together. This does not happen often, so when it does capture it. If you have a photographer that is willing to work a day or two before or after that holiday when everyone is in town, then you are in luck. Take advantage this Easter when the family is together, because you never know what that extra 5 minuets may mean to your family now and generations later.
Maternity and babies: This is rapidly changing time in your families life. Each month the tummy grows, until out comes the baby. Then, each month the baby grows, changing quickly. Some photographers offer package sessions for maternity, new born, and 1 year old photos. Make sure you like this photographer and their work, because you will be working with them for over a year during a very special time of your life.
Whatever the reason is that a photographer is doing their job, you should see a passion in their work. Ask them what their favorite client photo is, or their most memorable session, and the story behind it. Hopefully you get an excited and emotional response.