You’re wonderful to see

You oughta be in pictures

Oh, what a hit you would be!

Your voice would thrill a nation

Your face would be adored

You’d make a great sensation

With wealth and fame your reward…

You oughta shine as brightly

As Jupiter and Mars

You oughta be in pictures

My star of stars…

I love the nostalgia that black and white film has brought to this lifestyle session.  Coupled with his classic good looks, sweet smile, and little boy innocence, I think I have some new favorites!

xx

dena

Hiring a photographer to document your family or wedding is a daunting task to say the least.  Not only has the number of photographers in business increased exponentially in the last 10 years, our avenues for shopping have increased dramatically as well.  Gone are the days of relying on the phone book and a sidewalk sign as referrals.  Whether you see a photographer’s work via prints on a wall, on a website, blog, or facebook page, one common thread that every experienced photographer should have is a solid portfolio of work.  So let’s say you do a google search for your geographic area and type of photography session you are seeking.  A thousand results??  Not uncommon.  When clicking through photography websites, how does a person keep from becoming overwhelmed and make a comfortable decision?  Here are a few things to look for in a photographer’s portfolio:

1.  Experience.  Ideally you want to look for a photographer with a large client base represented in their portfolio galleries.  This is something that can only be developed over time and with a lot of hard work. The scope of this work should be broad, even if they are specializing in a limited genre. As an example, if you are shopping for a wedding photographer, you only really need to see one close-up detail shot of the bride’s shoes to know that photographer can beautifully capture that special detail.  If you were to see an abundance of detail shots of shoes in the portfolio, you might assume the photographer would be better off working for Choo.   In the same scenario, you want to look for many many brides and grooms in many many aspects of the entire wedding, all presented skillfully.

2.  Quality.  You are hiring a professional so you trust them to know what they are doing. Right?  Actually, photography is a profession which does not require any accreditation or formal education to enter into.  This is where you have to do your homework.  It is going to be up to you to decide if the work you see in a portfolio is of exceptional quality or  not.  Here are a few questions to consider:  Is there emotion?  Is there light in the eyes of the subjects?  Are the photos crisp and sharp?  Do the photographs display different light situations in a beautiful manner? (what if it rains on my wedding day?) Do the people have pleasing skin tones?  Is the lighting even and pleasing?  Do the people look comfortable and safe being photographed?  Is the work in the portfolio consistent?  Is there a range of emotions displayed?(what if my child is shy…or bouncing off the walls that day?)  Will you know exactly what to expect when being photographed by this person?

3.  Style.  Style is slightly ambiguous.  You will know it when you see it.  Conversely, you will definitely know it when you don’t!  You don’t have to be a creative to know how a photograph makes you feel.  A photographer’s style is developed as a result of their experience and quality of work.  Style is really an extension of the photographer themselves.  It is about the connection, the talent, the feeling, the vision.  Some may further define their style with the use of certain formats or compositions or processing styles, locations, or even props.  No matter what it is, there should be a unifying theme throughout the portfolio.  Consistency is key.  Beware of the portfolio that shows every new trend and prop and processing style that can be found on a few hours spent on Pinterest.  Sometimes you may get ‘lucky‘ enough to see ALL of those elements in just one photograph.  A photographer with a distinctive style should have work that is recognizable without a name attached to it.  This is where your own personal tastes come into play.  What do you want to see in your photographs?  How do you want to feel when you look at your photographs?  What speaks to you?  Can you pinpoint the photographer who will deliver that to you?

This is a collection from my own portfolio that I feel demonstrates consistency of style and is a good indicator of what a person can expect at one of my photo sessions.

Additionally photographers are taught to show only their best work.  Don’t be afraid to ask to see a sample session or an entire wedding.  You will want to know what you are investing in and to be assured the photographer will be able to deliver a wonderful variety and full coverage.  If they are confident and competent professionals, they should have no problem showing you.  There are so many factors to consider when choosing a photographer.  Price is one way to shop, but it should never be the first way to shop.  Developing a strong and trusting relationship with the right professional photographer can last a lifetime and  should always be worth the investment.  Hopefully you can use some of these tips to help you choose the right one for your family.

Now, for all those times in between sessions with your well-chosen pro, my colleague Christine Plamann writes about file storage, backing up and printing your own photos.  Click  through our Blog Carousel here to read more: Milwaukee baby and family photographer Christine Plamann.

In this month’s Blog Carousel:

Christine | Lauri | Allie | Danna | Julie | Melody | Corey | Tara | Dena

Here is adorable Amelia in her bedroom, all captured on film.  All cute.