When you plan a photo shoot for your website, or other business purposes, I recommend you ask a photographer several questions before hiring her/him. They will help you understand the photographer’s style, what is included in the offer, what can cost extra, etc.
Table of contents
- May I see what is listed in the offer?
- What can cost extra?
- When will the photos be ready?
- How many retouched photos will I receive?
- Is it possible to receive raw pictures?
- Will you send me some printed images or just digital ones?
- Will you publish my pictures?
- Do I need to pay the travel fee?
- Do I have to pay for overtime?
- Will you help me with posing?
- Where can I read some reviews?
- What happens if there’s bad weather or unforeseen circumstances on the day of the shoot?
- Conclusion
- Used sources:
May I see what is listed in the offer?
Asking to read a package deal is important because what you think may be in the deal may be not included. For instance, you may think that you don’t have to pay for the travel fee but likely you will have to pay additionally.
Also, it will help you to understand better what to expect, if there are any additional costs, etc.
What can cost extra?
Some things are not in the package deal but probably photographers will charge extra money. For example, if you want to
- receive your photos urgently,
- more retouched photos,
- printed images or an album,
- your images are not to be published anywhere (online or included in the portfolio or photo exhibitions), etc.
In addition, the photographer may charge you extra for the travel fee (even if it is a taxi fee), overtime, or help with posing.
When will the photos be ready?
Of course, it depends on the photographer’s workload. Some of them are so busy that they can send you retouched photos in three months or even more.
Also, if you need your photos for a website or any other business purposes, probably you need them urgently and not in a month or more.
That is why, make sure to ask this question so that you won’t have false expectations.
How many retouched photos will I receive?
Some photographers may send 10 and some 50 photos.
Is it possible to receive raw pictures?
If it is obvious to you that you will receive all the photos from your photo shoot, it might be not obvious to your photographer. Many photographers do not send all the pictures because you might publish some not-good ones only and ruin the photographer’s reputation.
Will you send me some printed images or just digital ones?
Some offers include photo albums or printed images which is great if you are a fan of printed images. Also, you may want to give some printed images to your relatives who are old-school and will appreciate them.
Will you publish my pictures?
The photographer may publish your pictures on social media for marketing purposes, on a website in the portfolio section, or even display them in photo exhibitions. It might feel like a violation of your privacy. Usually, this issue is written in the contract agreement. So, read the agreement carefully.
Do I need to pay the travel fee?
The travel fee can include the costs of fuel (if a photographer goes by car), commuting by taxi, and even the cost of the time that the photographer spends commuting. Some photographers create a mile-based fee, so one can recover both costs.
Do I have to pay for overtime?
If the photographer states that the photo shoot is one hour but it gets longer than one hour, be prepared to pay extra. However, some photographers do not charge extra money. Personally, when I see that we shoot more than we agreed on and the photographer doesn’t charge more, I always pay extra. It is extra work, so I encourage you to pay for it, too.
Will you help me with posing?
If one helps you, then ask if you must pay extra. It will help you understand if you get any tips from the photographer. I always look for a photographer who helps with posing as I am lame at it.
Where can I read some reviews?
I highly recommend reading the reviews to get a better picture of the further work working with a photographer. If you do not trust reviews, find the previous clients online and contact some to get real feedback.
What happens if there’s bad weather or unforeseen circumstances on the day of the shoot?
Voicing out this question is essential because if there is bad weather, then the photographer may ask you to pay 30%-50% of the price for the cancelation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, talking to a photographer and asking many questions is extremely important. You should make sure that your expectations will be met and what to expect for the collaboration with the photographer that you are going to hire.
Used sources:
Glatzer, M. (2024, January 16). 17 questions to ask a photographer. Mike Glatzer Photography. https://mikeglatzerphotos.com/questions-to-ask-a-photographer/
How to charge mileage to customers in 2024. Driversnote. (2024, February 8). https://www.driversnote.com/blog/how-to-charge-mileage-to-customers
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