Choosing a photographer can be daunting. When you decide to have professional photos taken of your family, you want to make sure that you get the very best. Not just the best photos to treasure for years to come but also the best service. You will want a memorable experience for all the right reasons and be confident that you can return year after year and still feel valued. I have listed some things below that I think are important when choosing a photographer.

Training

Has the photographer you are considering taken the relevant training? Not just in being able to use a camera and take photos but also in safety. This is especially important when looking for a newborn photographer. Newborn photography requires complex skills of knowing how to safely position babies without causing harm and distress. Babies are not able to tell you if they are too hot, too cold, cant breathe properly amongst other things, so making sure the person taking the photos is trained in all of these aspects is vital. I am trained in newborn handling and safety and I am also qualified as a Paediatric First Aider. These skills were so important to me in knowing I am giving reassurance to my clients that their little ones are in safe hands.

I also undertake a lot of online learning through various courses and have spent many hours studying and note making. I also take the time to practice in my studio as often as I can with a 'Stand in baby®' (poseable doll) to ensure I work safely and consistently. No photographer ever knows enough to just stop learning. It is an ongoing process and keeping our skills refreshed helps our clients to have confidence that we never become complacent. You will find all of my training and qualification certificates on my website as well as on the walls of my studio.

customer service

It's true that we remember experiences as well as final products. I always remember the small details that make someone stand out as appreciating their clients. Like my hairdresser, who offers a cup of tea with a biscuit during my hair appointment. And the products I have ordered online that have arrived with a free pen or a packet of sweeties. The little touches make all the difference.

That is why I always make sure my clients have a great experience with me. Obviously things have had to change a little for the time being due to COVID, however, as soon as we are back to some kind of normality, my clients will receive the best treatment. My clients are always offered hot or cold drinks and biscuits as soon as they arrive and are asked throughout their session if they would like a top up. I have also made some changes to my studio over lockdown and will now be offering the use of a TV during longer sessions with the whole shebang to choose from. Netflix, Prime, you name it, you can watch it! I know a lot of Daddies will be especially happy about that! Haha!

My top packages also receive a little, free gift. This is to say an extra thank you for choosing me as your photographer. I feel valued when you choose me so I want you to feel valued, too!

Creativity and style

What kind of style of photography fits your home. Is it light and airy? Is it dark and moody? Is it whimsical and magical? Because all photographers have their own 'style.' That's why it is important for you to choose someone whose style is very similar to yours. There is not much point of choosing a photographer who is offering really great low, price deals if their style of photography doesn't really match what you like.

Think about one of the rooms you spend the most time in in your home. What colour are the walls? Now think about putting photos on that wall of your baby or children from a photo session. Is that photographer's style of images going to match perfectly in your home or is it going to look odd and out of place? Some people like really bold, dark colour in their home like navy or dark, bottle green, or bold prints. Now my style of image is pastels and light and airy - are they going to look right on a wall so bold? Maybe, but probably not really. You could style them on a sideboard or in another room that is not so strong in colour but generally, you should try and match a photographer's style with your own home.

Look for a photographer whose work excites you. How creative are they in their work? Do they think a little outside the box? I know for myself, I get excited when I look for inspiration. I am the kind of girl who can imagine a decorated room when it's bare walls and floors. I have always had that creative flair and a talent for Art. It was my favourite subject throughout school and I have always been a big fan of arts and crafts. I like to be a bit different and will always look for new ways to be creative.

Skill and consistency

Now this isn't the most important factor when choosing a photographer but it can mean that you get a lot more variety in your finished images. Photography has many elements to it. It's the visual, the starting point, setting up an image with the baby or child positioned correctly. This can mean moving baby into the more simple positions such as laying on their side or carrying out more complex positions such as froggy pose. Then making sure the colours match and the scene is executed in an appealing way. Onto making sure the lighting is placed in the best position to create the look you want from your images (soft shadows, lots of contrast etc.)

Then it moves onto taking the photo. Making sure the focus is on the right part of the photo. Creating attractive bokeh (blur) to make the main part of the subject stand out. Getting the settings right so the lighting isn't blown out in places and the detail gets lost. It's then remembering the images that have been taken so far and creating new ones that will compliment those so as to provide a full gallery to a client with lots of positions and compositions.

Next, once all of the photos are taken, it's onto the editing. Depending on the image, editing can take as little as a couple of minutes to as much as an hour! Per photo! Editing galleries can take some time, especially if the photographer you choose is a perfectionist. Photographers who can turn around galleries in a very short amount of time, may not be consistent with their work. Always be sure to check your images very closely and imagine printing them REALLY BIG! Does the lighting look right on their faces? Do their faces look real or are they over edited? Maybe you like that style, and that's ok if you do.

Lots of photographers now offer 'composite images' too. These are images made using Photoshop and blending pictures and photos together to make one image. This is used for tricky baby poses such as froggy pose, which would be unsafe if carried out in one photo. But it is also used to create magical images that are fairytale like but feature your baby or child. This too is a skill. Unless lots of time and practice is spent learning this in depth, the finished result can look far from real. The trick is to get them looking as real as possible. So if the photographer that you choose can offer this extra service also, you have many more options of images to choose from!

Photographer's background

Do you know a little about the photographer you have chosen? Do they have a website that has a little insight into who they are and how they got into photography? You can find out all about me through my 'about page' on my website and I have also written a blog post about how I got into photography. It is nice to know a little about someone who you are trusting to capture the very best photos for you.

I have many years of experience of working with babies and children. I was a nursery nurse for many years before going on to train as a teaching assistant and working in primary schools. I feel these skills definitely benefit me in photographing babies and children and I am never afraid to break into a song or a silly dance to capture attention! Having two daughters myself and from working with so many children over the years, I understand all the different personalities that they can have. I can read a situation and try to manage it before it escalates and I always understand that somedays, nothing will work! So never be afraid if your child is acting up a little, it happens.

Price

This is a biggy when choosing a photographer just as it is when you purchase anything. There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to photographer's pricing and it has many factors to it. These are some that you should consider when thinking of who to book with, taking into account all of the previous aspects above:-

• Look for consistency with their work. Ensure that their work is always of a high standard and that they put 110% into every photo that they create and edit, not just the first couple. The time they take to complete this work to a high standard will factor into the prices they charge.
• Make sure they are aren't too cheap. That old saying 'if something seems too good to be true, it usually is' really can be the truth. If a photographer is offering you the world for a very small price, just remember, these are photos that you will be treasuring for years to come. You don't want to look back and think 'if only I had spent a little more and had better quality photos.' On the other hand, you don't want to choose a photographer whose prices are just way out of your price range. Yes it is nice to have extravagances but if they put a strain on your financial situation, they are really not worth it.
• Do they provide the best resources, outfits and props? Usually the photographers who charge a little more, invest lots of money back into their business ensuring they always have the nicest quality clothes and items. I have so many clients comment on the outfits I put on babies.
• Do they have a lot of overheads to pay out for a commercial premises, leading to higher pricing? Are they insured? Do they update their training and skills regularly? These will all factor into a photographers prices. You can always request to see a photographer's insurance for your own peace of mind. If they are telling the truth about having it, they won't begrudge showing you!
• Do they take pride in their working environment? Is it a clean, comfortable space with lots of consideration taken for clients. Are their clients taken care of and made to feel important hence making the experience all the more special? You should always be made to feel valued.
• Do they go the extra mile and give something extra? Do they give out gifts or little treats? Maybe they offer money off packages if you return or recommend them. Always look for the nice, little touches.

Reviews and recommendations

Have they had any reviews and recommendations on their social media pages and/or on Google? Do they have testimonials on their website? If you're anything like me, I never buy anything without reading reviews first. You can really get a feel for what others have experienced by reading them.

Have you any friends or family that have recommended them? Word of mouth referrals are a great way of figuring out who may be the right photographer for you. Take a look at your friend's or family member's photos, ask them about their experience and whether they will be returning for more sessions. Your friends and family will alway be honest with you. You aren't going to recommend something to someone you care about, if you feel it wasn't good quality and worth the money.

I hope this blog gave you lots of insight as to how to choose the right photographer for you and your family. I know it can be difficult, especially when you have never met that person and probably won't until the day of your photos. I can't speak for every photographer out there but please know that I am always available for a chat before a session at any point. You can reach me through messengers on my Facebook and Instagram pages, my website and also via email. I am always happy to talk through procedures and what to expect when booking with me so you get a feel for my personality, too. I hope you find choosing the right person for you a little easier after reading my advice, and if you choose me...

reach out and say hello using the link below! :-)