BBB Tip: 8 tips for hiring a photographer

Whether you are hiring someone to take photos of your family, looking to preserve a special event or need headshots of your colleagues, a photographer is often a costly expense with just one chance to get it right.

Before you send that deposit, consider these tips for hiring a photographer:

• Ask for recommendations: Contact friends, family members, and neighbors for recommendations of trustworthy photographers in your area. Search BBB.org to find accredited photographers and read their business profiles. Read reviews and make sure the business does not have any unanswered/unresolved complaints.
  
  
• Interview candidates: Set up interviews to talk to the photographers. Be sure to ask candidates about their photography style and specialties. Be clear about which shots are important to you and under what circumstances they will be shooting (indoor, outdoor, low lighting, etc.). Note the photographers who make you feel comfortable and have a good rapport with you.
  
  
• Request to view their portfolio: Before choosing between photographers, request to view their portfolios. Each photographer should have a collection of their best work from previous clients. Make sure you view photos from an occasion that is like the one you are hiring the professional to photograph. 
  
  
• Compare pricing: Get at least three estimates and compare pricing and what’s included in their packages. Although one photographer may seem less expensive initially, they may not include retouching, a CD/flash drive, online gallery, prints, an album, or other extras you may want. If it’s not included, you will end up paying an extra fee for services you request outside of the package.
  
  
• Request references: Request a list of references to contact. Speak to a few of the references about the services they received and if they were satisfied with their photos. Ask about their overall experience with the photographer and if the services went as planned.
  
  
• Include all the details in the contract: Be sure to get all the finalized details in a written contract including: the final price, payment schedule, all services that are included in the package, travel fees, and the number of hours the photographer will work. Find out beforehand when you will receive the pictures from your special day. Should anything happen, and you don’t need the photographer anymore, find out the details of their refund policy. Inquire about the rights to the photos.  Since most of your pictures will be available digitally, it’s important to discuss if you have the rights to your pictures after the event. You will need to have the rights to the photos if you want to print pictures yourself. Getting the rights to the photographs is usually an additional cost and should be explicitly addressed in the contract.
  
  
• If possible, pay with a credit card: This will help ensure that if something doesn’t go as planned, you have recourse for a refund.
  
  
• Don’t pay the entire fee upfront: If possible, set out a payment schedule where you pay a deposit before the shoot or event and the balance after it is over. This will give you some leverage if there are any issues.

BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens & Northeast Georgia contributed to this article.