Newborn Photographer

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Customers should review a number of things before hiring a photographer: photographer's portfolio - do you like the images s/he produces?; products - does s/he offer what you're looking for (ie. digital files vs. prints, canvas prints, custom cards, etc); what does the session fee include - will the images be retouched or does that cost extra?; what kind of timeline can be expected when working with this photographer?; how much experience does the photographer have in photographing the subject type you'd be hiring him or her for?

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. I wish customers knew about the education and time commitment involved with being a professional photographer. Though there are many people out there these days offering inexpensive sessions with images burned to CD, it is important to look at the quality of the work and keep in mind the old adage, "you get what you pay for". A true custom, professional photographer spends hours on your session once the photos have been taken perfecting every last detail. These are far from snapshots and should be images that stand the test of time.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. What areas does the photographer specialize in? Can the client see examples of work in the type of photography the client is looking to hire for? How much is the session fee? What is included in that cost? Can the client get a copy of the price list before the session? Any ordering or session policies to be aware of? Is retouching of the photographs included in the price? What products are offered? What type of timeline is involved from the time the session is book to having finished prints in hand?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. They should have in mind the style of photography that appeals to them and then have looked through my work to see if they feel I'm the right photographer for their images. They should then have looked at my prices to determine if I'm within their budget and create a budget in which they plan to work within. Photography is an investment and should be thought through before purchasing a session. It will help the photographer to know in advance what you have in mind for your purchase - for example, you want a large wall print for a specific wall or simple wallets to send to family and friends.