Sometimes, it can be really difficult to find the right fit. Personally, I really struggle shopping for shoes. You can ask my mom or my sisters how much I have struggled over the years to find shoes I like. I usually end up settling on something that checks only some of the boxes I’m looking for. I don’t want finding the right photographer for you to be that challenging! That’s why I’m sharing my 5 tips for finding the perfect portrait photographer for you and your loved ones.
We’lll start with the two most visible things and the ones you might notice first.
(1) Editing & Style
You might not even realize it, but this is probably what you are noticing first about a photographer’s work. Some of the common terms for different styles are “light and airy,” “dark and moody,” and “true to life.” There’s certainly others too, but understanding these and noticing which you prefer is a great place to start. I describe my style as bold, colorful, and true to life meaning my final photos are going to have the same general colors, lighting, etc. that the actual moment did, with some enhanced contrast and vibrancy to make the beauty of the location and you as the subject really pop. Check out my Instagram to see what I mean!
(2) Photos/Portfolio
This is another detail you might gather about a photographer right off the bat. Maybe you followed someone on Instagram because you just loved the style of all their photos – whether that’s completely candid, entirely posed, artsy and abstract, or somewhere in between. No style is the “right” one all together, but there might be a right style for you and your loved ones and what you are trying to document through your photos.
Personally, while I am always here for and capture a few classic photos with everyone smiling at the camera, I loooove the more documentary style, candid photos that convey emotion and connection. My final galleries are usually a mix of those!
A big part of achieving the final look and feel of the photos is how a photographer approaches their sessions which will include their overall shooting style and their personality in general.
(3) Shooting Style
For me, sessions are laid back and relaxed to help ensure you feel as comfortable as possible. We will aim to have fun, create joyful moments, and opportunities for connection between you and your loved ones. I’ll guide you into a few specific poses, I’ll give you some prompts to create movement and connection and capture those moments, and I’ll take some candid, in-between moment shots too! We can also work together to further cater the session to what works best for your personalities and what will create the most positive experience for you.
(4) Personality
I like to think I’m a pretty friendly person, and I tend to be bubbly and enthusiastic, especially when doing something I love like taking your photos! You’ll find that I am relaxed and thoughtful throughout our session, helping us all make the most of the experience and not only capture some beautiful photos, but have fun and enjoy the outdoors while we’re at it! All of these things are how I also approach working with you to plan and prepare leading up to the session. I want you to feel comfortable, informed, and excited throughout the entire process!
A great way to get a sense for the photographer’s personality and values is to check out their website, follow along on their social media, or reach out and talk with them! I truly love when people engage with me on Instagram, or follow along on my email list, or message me directly!
The final piece I recommend being familiar with before choosing your photographer is what final products they offer from your session.
(5) Products
There are different formats for doing this. The things I’d suggest looking out for are:
- Are the final images digital or digital and print?
- How many images are included with the various packages or collections?
- Is there an online gallery to choose your photos?
- Are there opportunities to order prints through the photographer?
- Do they offer a print credit? Any other add-ons?
I try to ensure my collections offer something for everyone and that there is flexibility to design a session and a set of final products that best fit you, your loved ones, and what you hope to take home and cherish from this experience. You can learn all about my collections and add-ons here. If you’re curious to know where the names come from, check out this blog post about the Story Behind Em Breen Photography Collections.
I hope this was a helpful guide for finding the photographer best fit for you! You can learn more about me here and I’d love to get to know you too. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the experience with Em Breen Photography.
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