1. Find a photographer whose style you love.
There are a variety of styles out there, from light and airy to dark and moody… and everything in between. One thing you cannot do is choose a photographer and then ask them to edit your photos in the style of someone else. Every professional photographer has a consistent look to their photos, and this is important because it allows their clients to know what to expect. So before booking, look through a potential photographer's work and get a feel for their style.
One more tip about styles: they come and go. (Just look back at the filter-overkill in the early days of Instagram, if you don’t believe me!) So when considering what styles you like, consider whether a photographer’s style is more timeless or trendy. You don’t want to regret your choice a couple of years from now, because your photos will most likely live on mom’s or grandma’s wall forever!
2. Find a photographer who is interested in hearing about YOUR style and vision.
Creating beautiful portraits is a two-way street! Your photographer should be willing to invest time with you BEFORE your session to plan outfits, accessories, and locations to accomplish your overall vision. This is the fun part of preparing for your session and this communication will help you decide if your styles mesh.
3. Find a photographer who offers what you need.
Will you be able to post your photos on social media? Will you be able to print them? Will you be asked to choose a certain number of images you want to purchase, or is the whole gallery of images included? All of this depends on your photographer’s business model— there is no right or wrong here, but make sure that what you want matches what your photographer offers.
4. Find a photographer who you can be comfortable with.
It is helpful to schedule a consultation in advance to make sure you feel like your photographer is someone you can trust and that your personalities click. And then… trust your gut. (Failing to do that made my own senior portraits a disaster!) When you are comfortable with your photographer, you will radiate confidence in your photos.