Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring a Northern Virginia Family Photographer

There are an overwhelming amount of photographers in business. As a northern Virginia family photographer I know how difficult it can be to hire one for a family session. But good news! This blog will help guide your searching and make narrowing it down easier. Yay for easy things!

First and foremost, do you like their editing style?

You probably notice varying styles of editing photos when searching for a photographer. Some are bright and overexposed, some include lots of movement and a-good-kind-of-mess, some are true to life color, others are dark and moody, others warm and glowy. The important thing is that the editing style on their website is this: consistent. Why should you care so much about this? Because you want to know what you are going to get after your session is over. Choose an editing style that you love and search for photographers that fit into that genre.

Does the photographer have a personality that would blend with your family or Senior?

Personality is a huge factor in how your session will flow and therefore determine how natural your images will be. WORDS Make sure to read your photographer’s website to get a sense of their vibe before you hire them.

Will the photographer help you pick the best northern Virginia or DC location?

In my opinion, you should not be responsible for choosing the location. I spend many hours location hunting and knowing the best spot. What makes it a suitable spot are things like light, amount of distractions, ease of access. Things that take time to learn and discover. I have lived in northern Virginia for 30+ years and I help all my clients choose a perfect location based of what they are looking for, the season in which the session will be held, and distance they are willing to drive. The beautiful thing about northern Virginia and DC is all of its wonderful location options!

Are their prices and overall process clearly stated?

This a popular question for obvious reasons. Typically the longer they have been in business and the better the experience they provide, the higher their pricing will be. Consider these questions when comparing photographer prices. Every photographer is different, so their pricing is varied. This is usually an area where lower prices are not your friend.

Will they make your session feel easy, fun and low-stress? Do they have experience working with kids and families? Do they have backup cards and gear? Insurance if someone gets hurt? Can they think on their feet if your child has a meltdown? Do they operate a legal, tax-paying business? Are their photos consistently beautiful? If the answer to any of these is no, then it may not be worth it to go with a low-priced photographer.

Does the northern Virginia photographer have plenty of reviews?

When looking for a family photographer, checking their website and Google reviews is a good place to start. These reviews are from real clients who had actual real sessions with the photographer. I go to Google to look for legit reviews also to check for any bad reviews. Keep in mind that bad reviews don’t mean they aren’t a great photographer. How they respond to a bad review will tell you a lot!

You may also find some reviews scattered throughout their website.

Do the images show families that look comfortable?

Another big question to keep top of mind! You can usually get a sense of the persons mood when you look at an image of them. How you feel during a session truly matters. Reminder: this ties back to why you should hire a photographer that has the right personality for you. Keeping things fun for the kids and ALSO the parents is a skill that can only come with practice. Pay attention to the photos on their website and make sure you’re seeing genuine smiles, authentic laughing and cuddles, and families that look like they are having a good time.

Is the northern Virginia or DC photographer relatively new or have they been around?

How can you tell if a photographer is new the scene? Everyone must start their business somehow and there are clients who are happy to go with them. On the opposite end of the scale you see established photographers with pricing at the highest of the upper end pricing. How can you know where you should land?

• Newer photographers: information not clear on website, doesn’t know how to direct you very well, inconsistent portfolio, usually low prices
• Photographers who have been photographing families for some time, but don’t offer a lot of extras: no help on location or styling, not clear on how the process works from beginning to end, moderate pricing, may or may not have consistent portfolio
• Photographers who have been photographing families for a long time: great at making you feel comfortable in front of the camera, has consistent portfolios, prices are typically higher, typically offers services like styling, location help, and printing services

Does the photographer give back to the community?

For the past few years I have been registered with The Gold Hope Project. Occasionally I am contacted by the organization and then connected with a family that needs a session to capture this difficult time in their lives. I feel that it’s important to give back in all parts of your life so I include my business in that as well. It’s a joy for me to be able to serve others and give a helping hand.

Are you ready to hire your own northern Virginia family photographer?

If my website is giving you good vibes and you love my style, then let’s do this!