You can find any random person who knows how to operate a DSLR and claims to be a photographer. They could be good at taking pictures, but we do not know whether they are proficient in the work or not. If you want to seek lifestyle photography or food photography, you need to hire a professional and not any layman who approaches you. Go for someone who has the technical know-how and not simply knows the procedure to operate the camera.
Following are the things that you need to do to search for in a professional photographer:
- Know your requirements first.
Before you go online and search for a talented photographer, it is essential to determine your photography requirements beforehand. What kind of photography do you require? For example, food advertising photography. What is your budget? How much time and space can you allocate for the shoot? Do you have budget constraints, do you want a food stylist or do you just want an individual photographer? Once your set of specifications are ready, you can find the search process more manageable.
- Look out for recommendations.
Though you should not directly hire on a recommendation alone, it doesn’t imply you should completely ignore them. Recommendations are of immense help, particularly if you are not aware of this industry. You can seek a complete review of the experience your friend or colleague had with the photographer. You can ask for discounts and lower rates, and you can be more comfortable interacting with the photographer directly.
So, if you have any referral contacts, include them in your list for further evaluation. If possible, ask your friend about the experience they had in detail. They will be the right persons to narrate their interior photography story, and it will be 100 percent genuine.
- Start your evaluation after more research.
After the recommendations, you should focus on the online search process. Add a specific number of skilled photographers to the list but ensure that you have set the proper filters on the websites and platforms. Next comes the evaluation process of the photographers’ credentials. It could be the experience, or highest number of positive reviews, or special experience, striking images or a better-looking website. When you have the credentials ticked off for two or three photographers, shortlist them to discuss your requirements elaborately.
- Discuss with your photographer.
You already have determined your requirements in the first step. Now, you have shortlisted two or three photographers. What follows next is the discussion of your photography requirements. You need to discuss in detail to understand the photographer’s work strategy. Do they have a rigid approach to photography, or do they have a structured plan or innovative ideas for more experimentation and a relaxed approach? It depends on a skilled and creative photographer to deliver the best results for you. Only a thorough discussion helps you to understand this. You can convey your specifications and know more about the work approach, giving you a brief idea about the shortlisted persons.
In short, when you execute the above steps during the search and finalization process, you can appoint a good photographer for your next photography project.
