The Most Common Complaints About headshot photography, and Why Theyre Bunk

In my previous article you learned about how to not hire the wrong photographer.

You heard that hiring the wrong photographer can cost you time, money and the risk of the end product not satisfying you.

So now I need to share 7 ideas to hire the right photographer for your job.

Define Your Project

Come Up with a description that is brief but detailed, to explain your project. Include a bullet list of all of the important areas of the undertaking. For instance:

Product is stainless steel

Product is very reflective

Product attracts dust

Product shows fingerprints

Pet photography comprehension or pet friendly photographer

Must maintain a kitchen

5 photos together with at least 3 dogs click here (1 in every photograph )

Must be a hardwood floor

There, is and a brief description will enable you to pinpoint the fantastic photographer for your occupation.

Since Right away you know you need a product photographer. Why? Because if it comes right down to requiring a product photographer who will deal with the metallic product versus a pet photographer who has no item photography experience, who would you prefer?

Better yet, ask yourself what's more important. The pet or the item?

Print or File

Do you need printed photos or electronic files of this end product?

Not Every photographer is ok with providing digital files. I know that sounds silly in this technology era, but that is how many feel.

Should you need digital files then be sure the photographer offers that, otherwise you've got the wrong photographer.

Who What Where When, Sometimes Why?

When You provide your description to the photographer, also he/she doesn't understand the request or the project in any way, then you may not have the ideal person for your project.

Consider it like this.

Let's Say you gave me a list of items that were significant to get a karate project. If I did not know karate at all, then could you employ me? Or do you hire me because I know karate.

But if you came to my site and read my information on photographing action pictures , or downloaded my free ebook on karate and photography, then immediately you know I understand it.

If you are hiring someone for a karate session, make sure they have karate photographs in their own portfolio, or in blog content.

It's A Website

Speaking of sites... Does the photographer you are hiring have a site? I sure hope so. Again, this is the technology era.

More so, does the site show examples or blog content of similar projects?

For instance, if you come to my site and look at my portfolio you may notice I picture portraits of families, individuals and extend headshots.

Can you contact me for product photography? Well, perhaps -- because I really do have goods here and there in my website.

Can You contact me to get real estate? Well, perhaps -- because I really do architecture photography and do have a"hidden" real estate portfolio.

Can you contact me for a wedding? Probably not since I don't market myself for weddings at all -- anywhere on my website.

Now Look at my friend David's website. He photos weddings, so do you contact for pet photography? I would not believe so.

O suggestion number four is to make sure the photographer's website indicates a Portfolio of whatever your project is about. Otherwise, move on.

Persona

Can your persona mesh or clash with the photographer's character?

For instance, my friend Mike's character is raw and vivid, and sometimes even vulgar. He'll even admit that!

That character doesn't stop him from becoming hired to photograph weddings. In fact, that's a part of his niche. People start looking for him. They look for his personality to photograph their weddings.

Mike Attracts tattooed couples, and couples who match his colorful personality. But looking at his website, would you employ him to picture your new vehicle? Well, maybe. But probably not. Most likely you'll send his website into your tattooed friend who is getting married. And that is what Mike wants you to perform.

Knowledge

This is Easy to overlook, especially from a client standpoint. Photography is just one of those tasks where anyone could be taught the basics and then start working.

By Way of Example, so many school photographers (at least New Jersey) are portrait shops where anybody off the street can get work, be trained in a day and then be sent to college to photograph yearbook photos.

Do those photographers have the knowledge to create quality photographs?

Or do these photographers simply understand how to follow a step by step instruction supplied by the portrait shop.

If I build a crib, does this make me a master in building cribs? Or does it mean I am good at following instructions?

So Be certain the photographer you hire really does possess knowledge in photography. See what the photographer is blogging around. Might it be educational for you? Can the photographer offer workshops for different photographers? Has he composed any books? Or made any classes? What happens if you Google his/her title?

Talent

Going together With knowledge, comes ability. Just because somebody can comprehend photography, or simply follow an instruction manual, does not follow that he/she is gifted.

Make sure you examine the photographer's portfolio and that you really love the job you see.

If you don't then what makes you think you will be pleased with what he/she can provide for you?

The last thing you want is to pay someone for bad results.

Summing It Up

To sum it up, so you don't employ the wrong photographer for your job, consider these 7 items.

Define your project.

Know if you require a print or an electronic file.

Make sure the photographer has an understanding for your job.

Make sure that the photographer's website shows examples like your project.

Make sure that the photographer's persona meshes with yours.

Make sure the photographer gets the knowledge you need them to have.

Make sure the photographer has the ability that you want them to have.

If the photographer you're considering for your project does not fit with those, then you may wish to think about looking elsewhere.

As A photographer I'd rather turn you down and send you elsewhere (with a real referral when I can) than to pretend I will give you what you want. Since then in the end you'll be unhappy and I'll just have your money. And you don't want, do you?