7 Tips on Hiring a Photographer for Your Website
Congratulations! You're launching a new business or reworking your existing website to make a positive first impression. As you coordinate with your creative partners—from website designers to copywriters to photographers—it's essential to ensure the moving parts create a cohesive result.
If this is your first time hiring a professional photographer for your website, below are several tips to guide you through the process.
Find a WeBsite Photographer Who Understands Your Marketing Needs
Photographers specialize in various niches, from sports to weddings to headshots. But one field doesn't necessarily translate well to the other. That newborn photographer might create beautiful images of your baby, but she might not be as skilled at capturing your website content.
It's best to find a photographer who consistently works with business owners or marketing professionals and understands the nuances of websites and marketing materials, such as image aspect ratios.
Here are a few ideas for Google searches to consider:
Personal brand photographer near me
Headshot photographer near me
Website photographers near me
Hire a Photographer Whose Photography Style Matches Your Brand Style
If you haven't clarified your brand style, this is a crucial first step for your website creation. How would you describe your business using three to five strong adjectives? Are you bright, light, and cheery? Are you strong, masculine and sophisticated? Or are you edgy, colorful and mischievous?
Your photographer's natural shooting style should match your brand aesthetic. If they specialize in a moody film look, but you are a bright, white, and vibrant brand, the image results may not meet your expectations.
Ask a Photographer to Share Examples of Complete Client Galleries
It's not uncommon for photographers to showcase their best images on a website. In a sense, it's like Pinterest—you scroll through their most curated success stories. However, it's worth asking for a few example galleries of photography projects similar to yours.
If they push back, it's a red flag. A photographer who isn't willing to share complete galleries might not be up to snuff. Or they may be just a problematic enough personality to make your project experience miserable.
Ask Your Photographer If He/She Is a Natural Light Photographer
A natural light photographer is just that—someone who chooses to leverage ambient (available) light. It's not a problem if the space you choose to work in has ample, beautiful, even, neutral-toned light. Even the best spaces, however, have challenges in flattering a portrait.
If working in a dark space or desiring to set a specific tone or mood for your website images, strongly consider working with a photographer who understands how to use flash or strobes to complement existing light.
Understand the Photography Pricing Structure
It's common to see a "starting at" price point and assume it includes everything for your photo shoot. Clarify whether the cost consists of some of or all of the following:
Project management/project coordination
Session fee
Editing fee
The final number of images included
Number of scenes (environments) or looks (outfits)
Location fees: location scouting, travel expenses, extra time for setup, etc.
Licensing/Usage (see below)
Sales tax (for applicable states)
Multiple environments or scenes, for example, may force a photographer to reset their lighting equipment, so get very clear on what you want upfront. Ask whether your photographer offers a specific package for your needs.
Ask About Image Retouching Rates
More specific photo edits may drive up your cost. Most of my clients are ok with mild skin smoothing, tone, contrast and a little pop to their images. But requesting multiple crops, advanced edits like airbrushed skin or smoothed out folds in clothing can add to the overall price of your shoot.
Get Crystal Clear On Image Usage and Licensing
Believe it or not, you do not own your images. Based on copyright laws, photographers are the original creator (and owners) of the work, and you license the rights to use those images. But don't freak out! Like authors, musicians, artists, etc., copyright laws prevent photographers' work from being stolen or used beyond its intended purpose.
However, that sticky little detail has ensnared many an unsuspecting client into paying hidden fees. Be forthcoming with your desired image usage. Most of us need photos for websites, social media, and print materials. In short: digital and print.
However, the more exposure (more impressions), the more a photographer may want to charge to create your images.
Are you putting your image on a billboard? Thousands more will see it, so the usage may cost more.
Including your photo in a magazine? A publication is a legally separate company, so providing them with a free image for an editorial article—at least not without the photographer's express permission—can land someone in hot water.
If a photographer offers all-inclusive licensing, that's a plus, even if it costs you a bit more.
Contact me to book your personal brand session or set up a consultation session to ensure your shoot is on point.
