COMMON MISTAKES WHEN HIRING A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
We know it can be extremely overwhelming to find the right photographer for your business. It takes research, back and forth conversation, and time you don’t have. While loving their vibe and style is important, there are a few extra key things you want to make sure exist in their business practices to avoid issues that could end up negatively impacting how you intend to use your images. To help you avoid some basic errors that could prove to be costly, VCE Productions has put together a list of the most common mistakes people make when hiring a professional photographer.
1. Assuming everyone with a camera can take good photos
Many people assume just because they have a nice camera, they know how to take good photos. This isn’t true, as good photography requires much more than just a good camera. You want someone who has a well-versed knowledge of lighting, image processing, and how to blend all of these skills to produce high-quality images that are grounded and realistic. Capturing your audience’s attention and drawing in the people you’re targeting for your business is key, and only an experienced professional can do that for you.
2. Hiring a professional based on Instagram images
We have seen many people hire a photographer because they’ve liked a few images they’ve posted on Instagram. You want to pay close attention to their professional work to gauge the quality they create. Find their website and spend time going through the different galleries of images they have, even if they’re not the same content you’re looking for, as you still want to see how well they know what they are doing.
3. Not talking to past clients
In the world of creatives, there can be a lot of strange personalities out there, and it just so happens that in the world of photography, you might run into some strange people. So get a referral or some information from others who have worked with them in the past. You want to know how well they connect with clients, how fast they turn things around, how hard they are to work with, and so on. You’re looking for a professional that knows their way around a camera and also knows how to work with people.
4. Cutting costs
Many people assume all photographers are the same. This just isn’t true. The timeless saying that you get what you pay for remains true throughout time. If you want high-quality work that stands out above the “average Joe,” then you should be prepared to pay for it. Plan for it. Budget it. Photography is one of the most crucial pieces of any business nowadays. With a culture of people spending a lot of time in taking high-quality entertainment and scrolling through thousands of images on Instagram, it’s never been more important to have top-tier imagery to draw your customers. Good professionals are educated in what a good image is now, and you only have a few seconds to grab their attention. Within a moment’s notice, an image can be the result of losing a customer within seconds or capturing that person’s attention enough for them to follow into a sale. Think about it. When was the last time you went to a restaurant that had terrible yelp photos on their page? Photography is absolutely crucial to business, and you want to make a plan to budget for high-quality work, or you will get lost in the noise!
5. You can fix it in the post
You think just because someone is skilled in photoshop that they don’t need to know how to set the camera right when shooting? This is wrong! It takes a skilled photographer who can do both. Otherwise, you’ll end up with overly retouched images that look fake and overdone. You want things to look polished while maintaining a level of reality to them that makes your audience agree it’s a real capture.
6. You do not require formal education for photography
If you want the best of the best, you will have to choose someone who has dedicated their time and money to master the craft. You want a photographer who has been educated and understands lighting, composition, direction, angle, depth of field, and post-processing like a professional should, and those who have spent time in higher education pursuing these skills often produce a much higher quality of work.
To avoid these and other mistakes, reach out to the experts at VCE Productions. From pre-production to post-production, our team of skilled technicians and storytellers can help you bring any idea to life. Whether it’s an interview, book trailer, music video, real estate video, drone video, corporate video, testimonial, or commercial, we are here to serve. It is our goal to incorporate our expertise and innovation into every video project, no matter the size.
Our services include video production, aerial videography, photography services, voice-over production, podcast production, and photography/ podcast studio rental. We serve clients across Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Knoxville, Brentwood, Franklin, Columbia, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Clarksville, Dickson, Memphis, Jackson, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Cookeville, and the surrounding areas.
Visit our website to learn more or contact VCE Productions today.
