Hire the Perfect Photographer for EVERY Shoot with These 6 Top Tips

Have you ever had a brief dropped on your desk that screams for amazing imagery and demands fresh new visuals with (eek) vision? Whether it’s for a new client, a new strategy or even a new campaign if you’re the one that’s been tasked with sourcing a kick-ass photographer to bring it all to life…then picking the perfect person is really *really* important. #Nopressure 

Let’s face it, no-one ever hires a photographer asking for mediocre work. So how can you ensure you get the kind of photography that you, your boss, heck, even the CEO is going to be impressed by? The sparkling, good stuff everyone ‘wishes’ they’d written the photography brief for? 

 If you want to say bye-bye to bog-standard photography stuff, then follow these top tips to hiring the right photographer EVERY time. Get ready to ace it. 

1. Know Your Budget 

Having a clear budget is essential if you’re going to get the kind of photography that’s bang on brief (and wows your bosses socks off). Photographers know how to stretch budgets, but managing expectations is key. Knowing what you want to achieve and what needs to be included is the best way to guarantee success. A good photographer will be able to come up with realistic suggestions based on the budget you have. Let’s face it, there’s no point waxing lyrical about gigantic ideas if you don’t have a gigantic budget to match. But a smaller budget doesn’t mean compromising the idea - it’s about getting real results with realistic budgets and knowing how to maximise every penny. Whether you’ve got £2k or £25k you can ensure you get amazing photography that ticks all your boxes. 

2. Know Your Style 

This might seem obvious but if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for it’s pretty unlikely that a photographer will be able to deliver you wow-worthy shots. You need to really get deep into the nitty-gritty of what you want the outcome to be before you can even begin briefing anyone. Is it a studio or outdoor shoot? Do you want natural or posed shots. Is it a traditional vibe or arty? 

Ask yourself all these questions (and more) before you even start a conversation about a photoshoot. Look for what you like and who’s good at the kind of look you’re going for. Matching your desired aesthetic with a photographer’s unique style means you’re already half-way to a guaranteed awesome outcome. Check out my blog about finding photography inspo to help get you on the road to success. 

3. Ask to See More from Photographers You Like 

A photographer’s portfolio is a wonderful thing! It’s like a catalogue of all our best stuff lovingly put together to make you say ooh! As you browse around looking for imagery that fits your vibe (see point 2) if you like something in a photographer’s portfolio – simply ask to see more! Go on to their socials and website and have a good ole snoop around. 9 times out of 10 the photographer will have more examples tucked away and can give you greater insight into the piece you love. Photographers typically use their socials to show a range and breadth of work, so don’t be afraid to deep dive into the stuff you like to make 100% sure it’s really what you’re after. I promise, it’ll be worth the effort. 

4. Ask Lots of Questions, Even Difficult Ones 

Once you’ve shortlisted photographers that you like, investigated their portfolios and asked to see more of their stuff, don’t be afraid to ask more questions. Now is not the time to be shy. Likewise, photographers will want to get a clear understanding of your brief. Make sure you’ve covered all the common pitfalls. Be clear on fees, on timelines, the creative process and your desired style. Make sure the deliverables are clear. It’ll save you a load of time, stress and money getting it right from the start!

5. Always Check the T&C’s 

Speaking of dialling down the stress factor, ALWAYS check the T&C’s. Make sure you’re 100% clear on the copyright and permissions surrounding your photos. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you automatically own the photography outright. Photographers typically retain copyright of their work and issue a specific usage license to their clients, so be clear on what your license includes! 

It’s essential when you commission work, that you know what you’re going to use it for (print, socials etc) and how long you’ll need access to it. Start these conversations early. Trust me, it’s not something you want to get wrong. Permission-to-use varies from photographer to photographer, so my top tip is to make sure you read the fine print! 

6. Create a Photography Partnership 

Beautiful things happen when you get the right photography partnership. From brief to shoot, your photographer becomes an extension of your team. Along the way you’ll want to tap into their knowledge, support, ideas and techniques so getting the relationship right from the start is defo worth the effort. Picking someone who cares about your brand and your company from the get-go is key.
So, get on the phone to your shortlisted candidates and then go meet them in person. Get a coffee together and get a gut feel of what it would be like to work with them. Not only will it give you everything you need to make the right choice it means you can confidently convey to the powers at be why they are the perfect fit. 

Picking the right photographer, whatever the shoot, doesn’t have to be stressful. Knowing what you need and asking the right questions is a sure-fire way to get the kind of results everyone will be happy with. If you’re looking for some fabulous food photography, lifestyle imagery with extra oomph or picture-perfect portraiture photography then I could be your gal. I’m always happy to have a chat and see if we fit. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for or need advice on where to start, then get in touch. If I can’t help you, chances are I can point you in the direction of someone who has more of the vibe you need. 

Georgie x