Please send questions you’d like to see answered in this series to jenny@divinephoto.net and, if other moms have the same question, we will write about it for Macaroni Kid!
Where do the photographers go to have professional photos taken?
I can’t answer for every professional out there however here are the top 3 things that are important to me when looking for someone to photograph my kids or my family...
1) SOMEWHERE THAT IS ABLE TO TAKE THE TIME for my kids to warm up to the photographer before jumping right into a photo session. Yes, I’ve been to department store studios. Most of the time, I have been
disappointed. These places allow about 10 minutes of photography time for each session which is hardly enough time for the kids to warm up and start having fun. My advice is to go to an independent studio and make sure it’s one that allows some warm up time, or at least time to have some fun with the photographer. I recommend at least 30 minutes. Most of my clients choose my 30 minute package and it’s a loose 30 minutes. I always want to make sure the families that invest their time getting ready for a photo session are happy with the photos we are getting. It’s a lot of work getting ready for a photo session with your kids!! Divine Photography guarantees a happy experience and photos you will treasure.
2) SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS KIDS. I’ve been to photographers who are great with kids and I’ve also been to some who are not. I would recommend finding a photographer who has either photographed kids for a
long time and has a good reputation for it OR find a photographer who has kids of their own. I went to a photographer recently for our annual family photo. From what I understand, they do more wedding & event
photography, and other things than family & children photography. HOWEVER, they were amazing with my 3-1/2 year old and 15 month old. They went above and beyond to make sure my kids were comfortable with
them, they were goofy and made them laugh, and they weren’t overstimulating my kids (which leads to cranky & uncooperative kids). Even though this couple does more with weddings and events, I believe that by having their own little ones, they were able to relate well with us as a family.
3) I don’t like having my picture taken professionally! I know, I know, I’m a professional photographer and I prefer to be behind the camera! So when I do take the time & stress to prepare for a session and actually get in front of the camera, I want A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO IS GOING TO MAKE ME LOOK GOOD. I recommend finding someone who has experience and has been educated on proper lighting and posing techniques to make their clients look their best in front of the camera. We are all unique and beautiful children of God. Yes, we all have complaints about ourselves, but if you find the right photographer, who can help you look your most beautiful self, (& who maybe knows a little photoshop), then you will be more confident and happy at your session.
A side note about cost of sessions. You will find prices across the board when looking for a photographer. First, find the right photographer for you, then shop prices if you need to. Many independent photographers will be loyal to repeat clients. Divine Photography has a loyalty program and a referral program that is pretty awesome. Check us out at www.divinephoto.net & click on our Facebook link too, to keep up to date on what’s going on over at Divine Photography!
Thanks for reading and feel free to send your questions to us at: jenny@divinephoto.net
Jenny :)
