What price packages do you look for in a Photographer?

[Dozeyland]

Sessions

Prints

Discs

watermarked/copyrighted not for personal use

unwatermarked/release of copyrights to print as you will

artwork

What do you look for? Keeping in mind of high-quality images & photographers time, talent & extensive post-processing! :)

If your talking about using a photographer in a business/commecial concept then I go for someone who can drop everything to turn up on site for a specific project (construction) be able to work in all weathers, quick, produce the effective photos of mundane subject including sat and sunday. Turn the photos around quick pop disc over and drop it over to our web guys. Be fun and extrovert and above all be on our wave length.

My guy is ex-glossy magazine so knows his stuff. CR free. a few hundred pounds or a bit of cash here and there. Came recommended via our web site guys. I wouldnt use a hobbist nor someone fresh to the industry. Experince counts.

Hope there are some good points here.

Some good advice there from bacon - I'd concur with all of that.

I've been in the position of hiring photographers for everything from editorial fashion shoots to advertising / catalogues and pr material. I've now been a photographer myself for some years and it's a constantly changing arena. I started with film and now, along with the digital age, comes much more competition and so many more options to be swayed by!

What kind of photography are you planning on doing? Just that it will effect the answers to your questions.

Copyright? Well, that's up to you! I have a contract for weddings which states that while I own the copyright - I am happy for them to use the images for personal use but absolutely not for any other purpose. I ensure I can use them for my website should I want to and for marketing material. If you were shooting commercial (as bacon describes) or for a magazine then it's likely that they would want the copyright.

If you are doing family / children sessions then most people want discs and prints too. Top notch family portrait photographers tend to offer packages (a bit like Venture) so you you'd need to research suppliers. Frames are popular and so are canvases. You'd be wise to get a few professional photography mags as they're a good place for finding prof labs etc as they tend to advertise there. Some people like to go to a studio or venue others prefer you to take all your gear to their home.

Artwork - well, that depends on what the job is. The only 'artwork' I get involved in is laying out an album. That's my limit!!

I think so many people look for different things. For some jobs I do require a full frame camera, others want speed, while others want reliability. I'm not cheap but I'm not a rip off! I don't have a studio - don't want one but I know people with them and it's perfect for them. I know some photographers who just shoot b&w while others literally drag kits all round the uk shooting for newspapers or mags.

I've spent the last year really trying to simplify my post production workflow after getting so bogged down in it all! Hope some of that helps and makes sense!

Thanks JeanJeannie

Good advice, I have already researched a few printing labs, who use high quality printing.

I have done a few weddings, focusing on children & families too. I offer to do sessions at the clients home, or on-location. In years to come I would love to have my own studio space with an extended office space. (I have a clear vision of what I'd love, and hopefully i'll get there :))

Bacon I think there is a very fine line between "hobbiest", "Someone fresh" and someone classed as professional. A lot of photographer i am in contact with and have researched started out as hobbiests and have made a very successful living, having raw-talent, knowing whats what, and also being business-smart is what I think are key factors. But each to their own and I respect your opinion. :)

It's true that there 'can' be a fine line between someone fresh - to professional. But please - I stress - do try and shadow a photographer or do some 'seconding' at weddings to someone who's been in the industry for some time. Photography is one of the trades where everyone can do it... and raw-talent can only be realised by really, really knowing what you're doing. I assisted and it's utterly amazing how much you learn from watching/helping/just being around someone who is a true professional. Technically it is one hell of a skill to learn - from lenses, to natural light, flash through to studio. ...the fun never stops! (I was going to write 'never f-stops' but that would be a truely bad pun )

It's a good idea to get feedback on your work - join other wedding/portrait photographers on a Flickr forum maybe (it's free!!) or sign up to the Professional Photographer magazine forum - where you can also put up your work too.

Good luck and hope it goes really well