How do you choose your custom photographer?

Here are a few questions you might want to answer first to make the process easier.

• Who is going to be in the portrait? your immediate family, extended family, just the children? Are there groupings you want taken such as mother and son, just the kids, as well as the entire family?

• Where do you want it taken? Inside the studio, at your home, an outdoor location of your choice?

• Do you want it more posed and formal or journalistic showing how you interact with your family?

• What final products do you want? A large wall portrait, a few gift prints to give, a storyboard depicting a few moments, or a storybook telling about the family and interactions?

Start your search on the internet. First, you need to see who is available to you in your area or as far as you are willing to travel. Then take a look at their web site and see what style they photograph.  Make sure they have images similar to what you are looking for as far as posing or location, if you have an idea of what you want. If you don’t know, then look at everyone’s portfolio and see what you like. If you are looking for family portraits in the park, do not choose a photographer that only displays newborn photography in the studio.

I suggest that you talk to a few photographers and see if you like the way they interact with you and your family. Ideally, I would love to meet all of our clients in person before the session to build a relationship and get comfortable. This also allows for us to show off some of the products we offer that you may not even know are available.

Ultimately, you will pick your photographer based on their style, relationship, price, product offering. The hard part is finding someone who meets all of these criteria. So, you will have to prioritize what you want.

This client education series continues, please read:
 Why does custom photography cost so much?

 To see all postings in this client education series, please click on the label to the right on this blog, "Custom Photography".

Wishing you the best of everything!

Susan

A portrait from Nature Unframed, at Morton Arboretum, May 2011

Bound, by Philippa Lawrence

Rose + Matt = Clara

Nate and I have known Rose and Matt for years, and they have become great friends.  When they told us they were pregnant, we could not be more excited for them!  I love baby news and theirs was extra special, because Rose and Matt were told by their doctors that they would not be able to have a child together.
So, they decided to adopt, they went through all the classes and signed up to be foster parents with the hopes to adopt a child of their own.  The week they were called to foster a child, Rose found out she was pregnant!  God is truly a miracle worker.

Rose & Matt,

Thank you for allowing me the privilege to be a part of your miracle.  You are both wonderful people with hearts of gold!
Enjoy this new journey of your life together!
Also, thank you for asking us to be Clara's God Parents, we are truly honored!

Wishing you the best of everything!
Love,
Susan & Nate

Frances & Kevin

Frances is beautiful, sweet and in love.  Kevin is kind, very quiet and adores Frances.

The wedding ceremony was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sandusky, OH.  The service was performed by Father David Nuss and was a simple and beautiful ceremony.

The reception was held at the Erie County Conservation League, Milan, OH.  The evening was filled with tons of laughter, happiness and crazy dancing.  Thanks to Bradley Hoffman, One Man Band, for providing the entertainment!

A baby pig was given to the bride and groom as a present!  Now, the crazy thing was, I believe, I was the only one at the reception that was surprised by this gift!  Actually, Kevin raises pigs and has been a 4H pig judge for years.  Frances hired him one year to be a judge and this is how they met and fell in love!  So, I guess it was not too much of a surprise for everyone!  (The pig was so cute!!!)

Frances & Kevin,

You are a wonderful couple, and I had so much fun with you on your wedding day.

Thanks for hanging out with me and doing all sorts of crazy stuff!

It was an honor getting to capture your wedding day.

Wishing you the best of everything!

Susan

Wild Flour Bakery, Rocky River, OH