It is going to happen. Maybe that is why you are here. You need a new professional image. It can be for a new job, your LinkedIn, or just because but the time has come and now you have questions. Finding a photographer that will capture you at your best can seem a bit daunting.
I know I can't be everyone's photographer so I thought I would help you out and give you some questions that you should ask anyone you are considering hiring to take your next professional images (Including me). This will make your experience much smoother AND ensure there aren't any surprises along the way.
1. How much does the session cost? This sounds basic but you would be surprised how many people call my studio thinking they know how much a session will cost without asking. The thing is that photographers can charge whatever they want for their services and there are people charging $150 for headshots and over $1,000 for headshots in my area. Make sure you understand the fees for the services you are looking for. If you don't bring it up, your photographer should but that isn't always the case.
2. How long will the session take? You are busy so you should know how much time to set aside for your session. A simple headshot session shouldn't take longer than an hour max. A branding session could take several hours. When you are talking about the kind of session you want, talk about the amount of time that is involved.
3. What should I wear for the session? That seems obvious but I have a pretty good idea on what clients should wear based on the kind of session they want and the industry they are in. Your photographer should have this information as well. Get their input. Here is a blog post I wrote that goes over in more detail how to prepare for sessions in my studio that can give you an idea of what to look for.
4. What are the deliverables from the session? Every session has different deliverables. Make sure to ask what you will get when it is all said and done. My smallest, most popular session gets two images and my largest branding option gets 25. There is a big difference in price and experience between the two. Be sure and ask so there aren't any surprises.
5. How long will it take for me to get my final images? Every photographer has a certain workflow for their images from session to delivery. You should know how long it takes and if there are rush fees associated with meeting your deadline.
6. How can I use the final images? Believe it or not, just because I take an image of you doesn't mean you can take it and use it for anything you want. The way US copyright rules are written protect me as the creator of the art. So when I take an image, I am the creator and the owner of that image and what you are purchasing from me is the permission to use that image in the way we have agreed upon. This is the same for family portraits or professional headshots. So for a simple headshot image, I grant my clients permission to use it freely for personal and limited professional use. That means you can post it on social media, use it in presentations or other reasonable professional ways. What I do not sell in my basic headshot sessions is usage for Book Covers, Album Covers, marketing for speaking tours, TV appearances, etc. . . If I offered that kind of usage, the cost would be much higher. By carving out those kinds of parameters I can offer people who just need images for basic use a lower cost option. As always, just ask your photographer what usage is covered and if you need anything more or less, then they can work out a special package with you.
7. What kind of retouching will you do on my images? It is standard practice to retouch every image that leaves my studio. But that isn't the practice for all photographers. And the level of retouching varies. Some will only fix stray hairs and lint, others will do a full glamour style retouch. Some photographers will do the retouching themselves, others send it out to a team. And some are relying more and more on AI retouching programs. It is a good idea to discuss retouching with your photographer so you are aware of what they will do as a part of your session and what is considered an added service.
8. Do you have experience working with people in my industry? Different industries have different standards for professional images. I work with mainly government contractors, tech employees, and entrepreneurs. Those industries have certain standards for their images. Creatives have other standards. Legal professions have even another set of standards. That doesn't mean you can't take images that don't fit into those standards, but your photographer should be aware of what you need.
9. Where will the session take place? Some images are taken in studio, some on location and some are actually in a studio but look like they are on location. Your photographer should be clear about the location needed to get your desired results.
10. What additional services does your photographer offer? Photographers are usually good at several things. So ask them what other services they provide. Maybe they can help with your session and provide make up and styling services.
My other skills are more business related. I helped a client start a podcast. I assisted another one in starting an online membership site. I don't advertise that I have have made over 7 figures in those other areas but sometimes that information comes up in the conversation of the session and my skills can help my clients in other areas.
If you add these kinds of questions to your list when you are looking for a photographer I am sure you will be much more comfortable entering into your session and be thrilled with the results. No one likes surprises when it comes to pricing, deliverables, or other parts of your session. Get all the information you need to make sure you have hired the best photographer for your needs.
And if you want me to be that photographer, fill out this form and let's get started in making sure your next professional image is your best one yet!