When you are organising a special photo shoot to get a family portrait on a special occasion, you want to make sure that you can capture it in the best possible way.
While you can ask a family member or a friend to take some nice photos, you can be sure that it won’t be the same as hiring a professional photographer. After all, a photographer is used to taking these kinds of photos and knows what needs to be done to ensure that you get exactly what you want.
To make sure that you pick the right photographer for your photo shoot, you should consider asking some questions. This will allow you to know the photographer better, but they will also be able to know a bit more about what you want. When this kind of communication exists, you will get the best photos to celebrate your special occasion.
Questions You Should Be Asking Your Photographer
Do you need a shot list?
Some photographers like to get a shot list from you. A shot list usually includes the locations, groups, and poses that are most important for you. In case you don’t have a specific idea about what you want, the photographer can make some suggestions based on your goal.
How long will the session be?
As you can easily understand, the longer the session, the higher the fee you’ll need to pay to the photographer. However, before you get specifics into the time, it’s important to explain to the photographer a bit more about your celebration and why it’s important to you. This will allow them to get a better idea about what you want and tell you how long the session should be.
Do you direct people?
There’s no question that most people simply feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. They don’t know what to do or how they should pose. But one thing is for sure, everyone wants to look their best. When a photographer knows what you want, they can easily direct everyone who participates in the shoot. They can say where people should sit and how they should look to capture the best photos with the perfect light..
How to pick the best location?
There is no question that the location of the shoot has a huge impact on your photos. Depending on your celebration, you may prefer to have the shoot at home or in-studio. When you are looking for a more casual, cosy environment, there’s no place like home. However, if you have some specific in mind, you can tell the photographer. On most occasions, they will be able to set everything you want within their own studio. But you have a third option: you may want to have your photo shoot at an outdoor location like a beach or a forest which holds a special place in your heart.
What should I wear?
One of the most common questions photographers get is about outfits. After all, you want to make sure that you are nicely dressed for the photo shoot. The truth is that this question doesn’t have a straight answer; it depends on different factors. For example, you want to dress according to the vibe you’re after. If you want a shoot in a rural setting, for example, you should avoid going too dressy.
When choosing your outfit, you want to make sure that you are comfortable. After all, the more comfortable you are, the more confidence the photographer can catch, and the better the photos will turn out. Notice that when you are picking your outfit, you should always avoid logos or words since these can become distracting and very busy in photographs. The best advice is that you should wear an outfit that is simple for a timeless photo, and in terms of colours, you should be just fine with neutrals.
Planning your special photo shoot is crucial. Asking your photographer the above questions will give you some peace of mind. After all, you have told the photographer your goal and what you expect of your shoot and they can explore the different settings and outfits with you to ensure that you get the best results. As an experienced professional portrait photographer, I can answer any questions you have, feel free to get in touch with me today.
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