How To Choose The Right Photographer For Your Family

Perhaps a photographer shows up in your feed. They have beautiful images and obviously know how to use a camera - that’s enough, right? Not necessarily!

Finding the right photographer starts with a little research.

Like most purchases you make, it’s good to do some research to ensure you will be happy with the end product, receive what you envisioned, and maybe even have your expectations exceeded. If you can answer yes to the following four statements, SHG Photography is the right choice for you!

1. You are looking for a relaxed experience that shows your family’s connection.

My work is sentimental and connected rather than posed with everyone looking at the camera. When you see my portfolio, I hope you feel something, not just see it. During my sessions, I do not pose every body part or ask children to stand perfectly still. I give gentle guidance and fun prompts which encourage families to interact with one another so I can capture personality not perfection.

2. You prefer saturated, colorful images with true to life skin tones.

Editing is a huge part of a photographer’s style and brand. It’s the finishing touch on your images that make them pop or stand out. A photographer’s editing style is often what differentiates them from the pack. When you look at a photographer’s portfolio or Instagram page, ask yourself how you would describe their work and decide if you like the overall look and feel. Popular editing styles and terminology are: light + airy, dark + moody, saturated/desaturated, true to life or highly processed.

My imagery is happy, true to life, and full of saturated color to enhance feeling and mood.

3. You are willing to invest in your family’s memories and want to document what life is like right now, before it changes.

If you are looking for a quick mini session or “just one” picture for the holiday card, I am not the right photographer for you.

Sessions with me run an hour, and I believe your family deserves that amount of time in front of the camera.

Why? Imagine going to a party and leaving after 5-10 minutes. Hardly enough time for you to warm up, settle in, and show your true self. Not only do I want you to feel comfortable and to capture your family’s dynamics, I also want to catch all the tiny details like how you glow when your child gives you the biggest hug or how your eldest is growing like a weed and will only fit under your chin this one last year.

4. You would like all the images from your gallery and don’t want to have to choose your favorites.

Rather than expecting you to narrow down your images for purchase, my sessions are all-inclusive. This means you get a full gallery of high resolution images to download and enjoy. I want you to have the whole story, not have to pick and choose.

Although I hope you do narrow down your favorites to print and hang on your walls, I also want you to have an archive of images to revisit over the years. As time goes by, you will most likely find new favorites from your gallery that weren’t fully appreciated the first time around. Time is a thief, but pictures are the best way to hit save.

If you answered no to some of the above statements or a few of them gave you pause, that’s okay!

I truly believe in community over competition and want you to find the perfect fit. If you are considering me or another photographer, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and check out our websites (especially the Portfolio and About Me pages). A little research to find the right photographer for you will go a long way to ensuring you end up with photographs you love!