Questions To Ask When Choosing a Photographer, Top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer
When considering a new photographer for any project, you should be focussed on more than just the look and feel of their images. Obviously, the end product is important and is often what attracts new clients however, the process should be equally weighted.
That’s why I have provided a list of questions and why they’re important to ask when considering a new supplier for your corporate headshot or event photographer.
When are you available? Seems like a no-brainer, but a photographer’s availability says a lot about them. If you’ve left things to the last minute (pro-tip: avoid at all costs!) and have a requirement for next week, any photographer that has immediate openings should be considered a red flag. A great photographer is usually in high demand and has a schedule booked weeks and months out. The caveat is that a great photographer is also a pro at balancing their schedule and will be honest about whether they can accommodate your request, however last minute it may be. A good rule of thumb for event photography is to start your search for photographers the minute you’ve secured your venue and dates. As for headshots, a 1-month lead time can usually be accommodated but the longer, the better.
How many headshots can you cover in 1 day? We’re aiming for quality over quantity and the client needs will dictate how efficient I can be. Location changes, natural elements, wardrobe changes are all things that will add to the time it takes to capture your team’s headshots. In short, there is no magic number but trust that I work efficiently once set up!
What is your rate? Budget is a common consideration when working with photographers. Be sure to ask whether they charge a day rate (and if so, how long their day is) or if they charge an hourly rate? When production assistants are required, is that included in the overall rate or are they to be paid separately? It’s vital to remember that with all things in life, you get what you pay for. Cost considerations for the photographer that are factored into their quote include equipment (lighting, cameras, backdrops, props, boxes, tripods & more), assistants, travel time, working time, editing time and more. Keep that in mind when reviewing quotes for photographers and remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
When will I receive the images? Again, the answer to this isn’t cut-and-dry but the bottom line is that I’m flexible. Be up front about your expectations and deadlines and I’ll do my best to work within those timelines. Considerations should be made for projects requiring more post-production time as well as photos delivered in multiple formats.
How many images will you provide? My job as your photographer is to weed through the hundreds to thousands of images I shoot and only provide you with the best. I don’t want to overwhelm you with every single frame I shoot and will exercise my professional judgement in selecting the images you see. As for a specific number, it usually works out to roughly fifty percent of what I capture, and even in that there are duplicates that are weeded out for being too similar.
Now that you’re armed with the top 5 intelligent questions to ask a photographer the next time you’re planning an event, corporate rebrand or company headshots, I hope that it will aid you in sourcing the best vendor for your needs. I would love to answer any or all of these questions for you in further detail, so don’t hesitate to contact me today.
I encourage you to keep following my blog, where I share tips, tricks and insights as one of Toronto’s Top Corporate Headshot and Event Photographers. You can also connect with me on my google page, and LinkedIn.
Toronto Corporate Headshot Event and Branding Photographer and Videographer