…before booking them to take your business photos.

How do you decide who is the right photographer for you & your business? Here are five key questions to ask a photographer before making a booking.

What kind of photographer are they?

There are many different genres of photography from babies to animals, buildings to landscapes, corporate headshots to events, weddings to family portraits… the list goes on!

Some photographers will shoot anything & everything, while others will specialise in one or two areas. Each genre is different & each requires different equipment & a different set of skills.

Just because someone is a brilliant landscape photographer doesn’t mean they will be equally brilliant at taking business headshots. And vice-versa. I am an EXCELLENT headshot photographer but stick me in front of a baby & I don’t know what to do!

Often a prospective client’s first introduction to you is through the photos on your website or social media profile. Your online image is a powerful part of your personal brand & so it is important that you hire the right photographer with the right skills to capture this.

Can they show you relevant examples of their work?

Does their portfolio show work relevant to the job you are asking them to do? 

And not just one or two hero images, but several from the same shoot, or even a whole shoot. You need to be confident that the photographer you hire can capture everything you need them to, not just one or two stand-out shots.

A gorgeous portfolio of beautiful wedding photos shot in the late afternoon sunshine does not mean that a photographer will be able to shoot your business headshot in a dark office with no natural light.

Using professional photography is a great tool for building a solid reputation online & so it is important that you choose a photographer with the right experience for the job.

What is their style? And do you like it?

Just like any artist, every photographer has their own style & way of shooting. Sometimes they’ve taken years to hone this. 

Hiring a photographer whose portfolio is full of moody dark & dramatic images & asking them to shoot light, bright & airy photos is like asking an electrician to fix your leaking tap.

The style of images that a photographer shows in their portfolio represents the way that they work & you should expect your photos to be shot & delivered in a similar manner.

Look carefully at a photographer’s work & make sure you like their style before you commission them.

How do they approach the shoot?

Do they rock up with a camera & start snapping or do they help you to plan & prepare for your session to make sure you get the most out of your investment?

Many people have never been photographed before & don’t know what to do. Having an experienced photographer guide you through the whole process can be invaluable. Ask a photographer how they work. You’ll soon see if they are the right fit for you.

How much do they cost?

This is deliberately the last question on my list.

Price should rarely be the deciding factor because as the old adage says, you get what you pay for. Be wary of a photographer who charges a lot less than everyone else.

Photography is a business & photographers have overheads like any other business. We have to buy the tools of our trade (and believe me, professional-level cameras are not cheap). Then there is the computer to edit your photos on. The software needed for the editing. The online portal so that we can deliver you your photos quickly & easily.

It’s not just the camera. It’s the backup camera in case something happens on a shoot. A variety of lenses for different photos. Then there’s the lighting equipment to light your dark office.

Oh, and insurance. Our equipment is insured & we also have public liability insurance should the need arise. And that’s before we consider the years of experience & training that many of us have invested in to develop & hone our skills.

Professional photography is so much more than simply picking up a camera & snapping a photo. Professional photographers are business owners, just like you, and hiring one is an investment in you & your brand.

I get it though, budget is an important consideration for small business owners. I am one too.

Consider though, it only takes seven seconds to make a first impression (Harvard Study of Communication) & people form impressions of you based almost entirely on what they see. 

With the photos on your website often being the first thing a potential client sees about you, are they not worth investing in?

Choosing the right photographer for you & your business can be a difficult decision. We’re all different. We all shoot differently, we use different equipment & we have different styles & approaches. Not every photographer is right for every client.

The answers to these questions to ask a photographer will hopefully help you find the right photographer for you.

Questions to ask a photographer… my answers?

What kind of photographer am I?

I am a business photographer specialising in headshot & branding photography.

I create dynamic, high-quality & creative headshots for all business professionals. From the sole trader up to large international brands. Headshots that help you & your team to make a great first impression.

I specialise in branding photography; helping you tell your brand’s story. Communicating who you are, what you do & how you do it with creative imagery. Enabling you to attract & connect with your ideal clients.

I also capture business & corporate event photography & shoot products for small businesses that sell online & need scroll-stopping photography to showcase & sell their products.

Can I show you relevant examples of my work?

If you want business & corporate photography, yes!

What do you want to see…

What is my style?

Have a look at my portfolios, you’ll see that my style is light, bright, relaxed & friendly. I shoot using a combination of natural light & flash.

How do I approach the shoot?

One of my USPs is how I approach shoots. I don’t just take photos.

You hire me for my ideas, creativity, knowledge & expertise. But in reality, when you hire me you get so much more than just a photographer. 

I work with you to design & create a personalised shoot. Delving deep into your brand & exploring your vision, values & personality I ensure that the images I create work alongside your existing brand collateral.

Together, we look at the who, what, when, where, why & how. Why do you want photos? What am I photographing, and who. Where & how will the images be used? Understanding the reason enables me to take photos that will delight you & most importantly, help you to attract your client. My approach is collaborative, we work together.

How much do I cost?

It depends on what you want. I am good at what I do & I charge accordingly.

My headshot packages are detailed here & my branding photography packages are here.

I bang on about the importance of professional photography & I am keen that it is accessible to all businesses. My starting headshot package is £150 which is aimed at start-ups & new businesses enabling them to look professional & make a great first impression right from the start!

Want to find out more?