Custom photography is on the rise. Fewer people are heading into studios and instead are booking photographers to come to their home or on location. And that is awesome! I’m a big fan of real moments that captures the “essence” of someone’s life!
This type of photography is also a bit more of an investment, so it helps to be as prepared as possible!
Locate a photographer in your area. Many charge travel fees so it can help to find someone local and keep some extra dollars in your pocket.
Ask friends and family for recommendations. Search well-known photography organizations like WPPI or PPA. It is likely that someone affiliated with one of these organizations knows what they are doing!
Explore their portfolio. Check out their website, blog and social media business pages. Many photographers blog full sessions so you can see their work from the beginning to the end! It can be a red flag when they only showcase the best of the best in their portfolio.
Plan ahead with your photographer. Do you want a particular theme? Have a color scheme in mind? Mention these ideas to your photographer and they might be able to pitch in some ideas too! Use pinterest as inspiration and put a creative spin on an idea that catches your eye.
Consider your location. If you are planning to have the session at home think about which room gets the best light and at what time of day? Communicate this with your photographer and the results will be great!
Planning to shoot on location? Consider booking a weekday or at a time where crowds are minimal. Think about parking as well as traffic. Nobody likes to wait around and not being on time can have a negative impact on the natural light for your session. Another thought to consider is if the location requires a permit to shoot. Most public places are game but if you are trying to plan a session with a large group of people it might help to have one handy to avoid getting hassled by law enforcement.
Bring extra clothes! Babies puke, children get muddy and Chicago weather can change in a matter of minutes! It never hurts to be too prepared.
Know what comes with your session fee. Some photographers charge a session fee and that only includes their time/talent, while others may include prints or the ever popular digital file. Check and see what packages they have and if they are discounted with a session. Is there an additional travel fee? How about a fee for extra family members? What is their cancellation/bad weather policy?
