How to Find the Best Photographer for Your Style and Family in Charlotte NC

Picking the right photographer to document your family can be challenging. With countless options available, it’s vital to find somebody who can grasp your vision and bring it to life. Here are a few tips to assist you with finding out the best photographer for your style!

Understand Your Style

Before you start your hunt for a photographer, take time and figure out your preferred style. Do you favor traditional, posed shots, or would you say you are more attracted to candid, documentary-style photos? Understanding what you like will assist you with shortlisting your choices and finding a photographer whose style lines up with yours. If you struggle with this, hop onto Pinterest and pin family photos that you are drawn to. Then go back to your board and look to see if there are any patterns! If you chose a lot of posed photos of everyone looking at the camera, make sure that you chose a photographer who shows a lot of traditional portraits in his or her portfolio. If all your photos are families playing or not looking at the camera, you are more likely leaning towards a candid style! I personally do a little bit of both, depending on what you are looking for— so you can always reach out to your favorite photographer to share your vision!

Ask for Recommendations

In many cases, word of mouth is one of the most solid ways of tracking down an extraordinary photographer. Contact friends, relatives, and colleagues who have recently had photographs taken and request suggestions. Personal references can give important bits of knowledge about a photographer’s incredible skill, imagination, and personality.

Meet Face to face

After you have shortlisted your potential photographers, plan face-to-face meetings or virtual discussions. Utilize this valuable chance to discuss your vision, make inquiries about their process and pricing, and get a feeling of their personality. You definitely want to click with your photographer— because that will absolutely transfer to your photos! While not all photographers offer in person consultations, that is something that I do offer all of my clients! I love to have a new client out to the studio to meet in person to plan out your session!

Review Their Portfolio

Make sure to check out your photographer’s portfolio! Most will have tons of photos on their website make sure that you see the style you are looking for on their website or social media… otherwise that may not be the photographer for you! If a photographer is just starting out, he or she may not have a ton of photos on his or her website. You can always reach out to ask for more examples though! Most photographers will be happy to show you additional images that they have taken.

Discuss Pricing and Packages

When you find a photographer whose work you love, discuss the pricing and packages. Ensure you know and understand what's included in each package and whether there are any extra expenses for prints, albums, or travel costs. Pricing varies greatly from photographer to photographer. If you have a small budget, consider looking for a photographer who is just starting out and looking to build their portfolio. If you really want an experienced photographer, expect to pay more. I take a limited number of clients per month to ensure that I have a lot of time to dedicate to each family. I customize my sets and show images in studio, so while your session may only be an hour or two, there are many hours behind the scenes for planning, setting up, editing, etc.

Trust Your Instincts

If you vibe with your photographer and the photos he or she posts… definitely go with your gut! The right photographer won't just capture beautiful pictures but make the experience fun and as easy as possible!

Finding the best photographer for your style doesn't need to be overwhelming. By following these tips and paying attention to your gut feelings, you can guarantee that your beautiful moments are captured in your photo session!

If you’d like to check out more blogs for outfit inspiration, check out some of these links!

https://www.erinwilwertphotography.com/blog/predicting-2024-trends-in-maternity-photography

https://www.erinwilwertphotography.com/blog/mbsav39rrgcjy8vb2mardy278adra6