5 Reasons it Makes Sense to Hire a Local Photographer

Hiring a local photographer makes total business sense. Whether you’re a large business based in the North West who has been using photographers from further afield. A business who shoots products solely in a studio miles away from where your business actually takes place. Or a business based outside of the North West who thinks a bit of northern charm could open up their products to even more customers. Working with a local photographer (like me!) will give you that extra oomph to pack your photography with bags of personality and here’s why… 

1. Local knowledge – where the magic happens! 

Hiring a photographer living in the city or region where they are shooting can make a ton of difference. Local knowledge is something that money just can’t buy. From knowing an atmospheric bar to show off an atmospheric cocktail, or an unexpected location that will make portrait photography pop – a local photographer won’t have to spend (billable) hours researching and visiting locations, they’ll have that knowledge at their fingertips. I knew the hours I’ve spent pounding the pavements of Manchester, and the hugely diverse suburbs surrounding it, would come in useful one day! 

It also helps that a local photographer will speak Northern (What? Didn’t you know we have our own language up here?) From negotiating space in gorgeous locations to putting someone at ease during portraiture photography, understanding what makes local people tick really helps to bring a shoot together. 

2. Local network – it’s who you know, don’t ya know? 

A local photographer will have the ultimate little black book for their area. They’ll have done the hard work for a client, figuring out who is amazing at their job and who also happens to live locally. Think Avengers Assemble but for your photography shoot ;) 

It’s also way more efficient and effective to work with a team all based in the same place…you are going to get much more bang for your buck if you have a team that can communicate easily and spend their time making you or your product look perfect. Much better than being tied up in time consuming travel, lengthy meetings and dodgy FaceTime connections. 

I’ve made it my business to know the best in the business. Head over to Instagram and check out some of the super talented people I work with, I love to give them a shout out when I can. 

3. Hire local – you’ll be a friend to the environment and your bottom line 

Hiring someone who lives and works in the area you are shooting in saves time, money and has less of an environmental impact. As a business you’ll pay much less mileage, if you even have to pay any at all. And forget expensive travel, accommodation and expenses bills! Plus, the day of the shoot will be a much calmer experience with no threat of delays due to train strikes or the dreaded M6 traffic jams. 

4. Local experience – the stuff money can’t buy! 

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… light can be the difference between a good photograph and a great one. A local photographer understands the local conditions… and in the North West that comes in very handy! Rain, cloud, wind wouldn’t put a dampener on a shoot for me, it’s the conditions I know, grudgingly have a soft spot for, and the conditions I consistently get incredible images from. 

5. Local charm – we’re mad fer’ it! 

Forget the northern clichés, what really defines a northerner is pride in where we’re from… chuck ;) There’s a sense of camaraderie between us creative types working in this area. We all want to lift up each other up, support each other and show off the incredible and creative businesses and products coming out of this area. Which means clients get an extra something special when choosing a local team. 

As the client, your happiness is our ultimate goal, and we’ll work damn hard to make it happen…with the odd blast of Fleetwood Mac to keep things creative and upbeat ;)

So, if you’re a business based in the North West, whether that’s Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside or Cheshire. Or you’re a business that wants to tap into our region’s Northern charm and benefit from all the bonuses that come with hiring local, I’d love to have a natter with you. 

There are lots of other ways you can get in touch with me, and, as always, you can hear more from me over on the ‘gram. 

Catch ya later, if I don’t see you swanning around the Northern Quarter first.