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A must read for anyone considering a makeover portrait or a boudoir photoshoot in Worcestershire

Being a portrait photographer I know the more in depth questions to ask the photographer I plan on hiring so that I get all the information I need or that may be useful. Today I am sharing some of those questions so that when you are looking to hire a photographer in Worcestershire, you can ask these questions as well so you can make the most informed decision possible!

What is your specialty?

One of the biggest problems in the industry is that many photographers in Worcester will do styled glamour portraits or boudoir shoots as an “also” thing. They offer a wide range of photography services from products to pets, interiors to industrial, family to weddings… the list goes on.

Very few have truly niched to the point where you look at their work and you know exactly what they do best. It’s very apparent in their portfolio. So if it’s not totally obvious, it’s really worth asking what your photographer enjoys shooting most and what their specialty is.

What does your session fee include?

Some portrait photographers employ a “shoot and share” or “shoot and burn” model.  This means that their packages are all inclusive and you will be getting your digital images as part of your session price. You have to decide upfront which package you are going for and how many images you are planning to get. 

Other photographers use “In Person Sales.” This means that when you pay for your session you are generally paying for the consultations, hair & makeup, styling advice, session time, photographers time and talent.  This generally does not include any digital images or prints unless the package you choose specifies so.  There is general a separate viewing session when you will sit down with the photographer and view your images and order which images you would like.

Can you tell me about your process?

This is your chance to get the look behind the curtain. Any professional – no matter who – should have distilled their work into some semblance of a system. This is especially important for photographers. They should be able to articulate how they do what they do. How do they get consistent high quality results for their customers?

There is no concrete answer to this question. But you want to know whether or not their work stems from a carefully considered system that forms their decisions and moves the whole thing with a clarity and vision.

If someone tells you just to trust them – to just show up and let them work their magic – you’ve found someone who doesn’t know how they do what they do. And that’s not a good sign.

Do you have a list of terms and conditions?

This is just as much protection for the clients as it is for the photographer. Sometimes things don’t go 100% perfectly so the studio terms & conditions should clearly outline the basics like session fees, cancellations, rescheduling, delivery, licence and usage rights etc.

If there are no T’s & C’s you are likely to get burned when things go wrong.

What is your photographic style?

Another tricky question to ask your photographer that can normally yield a vague response because it’s really hard for any photographer that hasn’t been shooting for long enough. On top of this it’s something that keeps evolving constantly. So don’t expect a concrete answer here.

This is really about seeing how a person reacts to a challenging question. It’s a pressure thing. Because in photoshoots things don’t always go according to plan – it’s almost never easy. But knowing you’ve found a portrait photographer who works well under pressure is a very good thing.

Things to watch out – photographer telling you to go and have a look at their website, being defensive or dismissive.

Talk to me about your styled portrait or boudoir photoshoot. I want to know your story and how you would love to be photographed. This will change the way you see yourself!

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