Hiring a Professional Photographer in Las Vegas
Here are some things to consider when hiring a professional photographer in Las Vegas. In today’s world you almost always have access to a camera. Why would you ever want to pay for a professional photographer? You basically are already a photographer because you post photos on social media all the time, right? What sets someone with an excellent camera phone apart from a professional photographer in Las Vegas? Below are some things to consider when you are in the market for professional photographers.
Initial Response to Your Request
When looking for a professional photographer in Las Vegas, you can quickly find out if you are on the right track by the response time of the photographer. Did they answer the phone when you called, or respond to you during business hours that day? When you had the chance to speak with them, did they answer your questions? Did they provide you with the information you were looking for? Was their tone polite and professional when they spoke to you? If you emailed, did they email you back in a timely manner, and was the tone of the email professional?
Since this is your first interaction with a professional photographer in Las Vegas, they should be responding in a timely manner and in a professional way. If at the first step, they can not answer your questions, become agitated or rude, you may want to seek out another professional photographer in Las Vegas. They should be going above and beyond to gain your trust and provide you with the information you were looking for.
Open Communication
When you spoke to a professional photographer in Las Vegas did they ask follow up questions to fully understand the scope of your project? As a professional photographer in Las Vegas, we have learned that client education and open communication are exceptional tools to create a successful shoot. Since no two photoshoots are the same, it’s important to have all the facts possible.
When you asked how much professional event photography in Las Vegas would be, did they ask follow up questions? How long is the event? What is the event for? Where is the event located? Is there a need for onsite deliverables? How soon do you need the final images? These are all questions that should be asked before pricing is discussed. Being prepared with all the details will help your professional photographer in Las Vegas deliver the best product possible.
The same is true for architectural photography. As well as portrait photography and product photography. It applies to any and all advertising photography needs. How many images do you need? Would you like models in the images? Are you the subject? How do you envision the final results? If it’s an architecture assignment, what direction does your building face? This is important so that the best time of day for capture can be considered properly.
The more questions and open communication the professional photographer in Las Vegas gives you the better. The more they understand, the more you can trust that your needs are in safe hands.
Budget Conscious
You could find the greatest professional photographer in the world, but if it’s not in your budget then what is the point? Having a photographer fully grasp your vision of the project will help them create an estimate specifically for you. What if they present you with an estimate and you believe it to be too high? You should request more information on how you can get to a budget that works for both parties. Sometimes you and the professional photographer can work together to alter the needs to reduce cost. If not, then it might be a case of that professional photographer in Las Vegas not being the right fit for you.
You could try to find someone that fits your budget better. But be wary of that old saying, “you get what you pay for”. Hiring a cheaper professional photographer may not produce the results you were seeking. And in turn costs you more when you have to reshoot the images down the line.
Studio or Location
We have found that a lot of the professional photographers in Las Vegas have moved away from having a brick and mortar studio to save on rent money. The downfall of this, is if you request a studio for your session, the additional cost will be passed onto you. So finding a photographer that has a brick and mortar studio, would be very beneficial if you are looking for images shot in a studio. If you envision your shoot at a location, will the professional photographer in Las Vegas be able to travel there? Is the professional photographer familiar with the popular areas around Las Vegas?
As professional photographers who have had the opportunity to shoot all over Las Vegas, we have learned a lot about where you can and can’t get access to. Does the professional photographer you are planning to hire understand that most places need a separate permit to allow photography? Does the professional photographer you are considering know how to gain those permits? Can the professional photographer suggest places where a permit may not be necessary, or provide additional location ideas that may be more obtainable? These are all things that are important to find out, when seeking a professional photographer in Las Vegas
Availability of the Professional Photographer
The availability of a professional photographer will be a quick way to find out if they are the right fit for your needs. If you have a specific event that happens on a specific date and time, you will need to find a professional photographer that is available on that day. Even if your schedule is fluid, you will still need to find a professional photographer that has availability that suits your turnaround time. Are you creating images and content for your website? Then you will most likely need those images before the website launches. Is this a Christmas image that you need to get to the printers so your Christmas cards can be sent out in time for the holidays? Make sure you hire a professional photographer in Las Vegas that can meet your timelines to avoid stressful situations.
Finding a Prepared Professional Photographer
Hiring a professional photographer that is not fully prepared for the day is something that can drastically alter your photoshoot. Has the professional photographer in Las Vegas asked all the right questions? Do they fully understand your concept and vision? If so, a professional photographer should show up prepared with all the tools needed to create your vision. They should have a concept of the lighting set up and the changes that will need to be made. That way they do not waste time that you are paying for.
They should know how many crew members they will need to have a successful shoot. Do you need a digitech, assistant, hair and makeup artist? How much time should be set aside for the subjects that need to be in the makeup professionals hands? There are so many moving factors on a photoshoot. You will want a professional photographer that will have considered all the elements so they can be prepared.
If you are looking for a professional architectural photographer in Las Vegas, they will need to consider the building location. If there is a request for exterior images, shooting a building based on the direction it faces will let you know what time of day the building should be shot. A professional photographer that specializes in architecture should know exactly how much time and how many shots they can capture when the lighting is even. This even lighting conditions generally happens at sunrise or sunset. Taking advantage of the small amount of time is something a professional photographer should be prepared for.
Professional Behavior on Set
A professional photographer in Las Vegas should act like a business professional. They should not be moody or make you feel uncomfortable. You should always expect to be treated with respect. A truly professional photographer will go out of their way to make the subject and their client feel comfortable. Someone who is not used to being in front of the camera can get nervous and feel awkward. That is not usually what you want to portray in your imagery, but rather you will want to be perceived as confident and approachable. Using small posing tricks and making the subject feel comfortable is something that has great results in the final images. This is something that sets a professional photographer apart from an amateur with a camera.
Professional Editing is a Must
Part of professional photography is the finishing editing touches. From architectural photography to portraits, everything gets a little polish. The key to choosing a professional photographer in Las Vegas is to view samples of their work. Does everything look polished and professional? Is it obvious that editing was done? If you can tell something has been edited, it usually means the editor has gone a little too far with their process. This is sometimes worse than not editing an image at all.
Now Find a Professional Photographer in Las Vegas
Now that you have a little more insight into finding a professional photographer in Las Vegas, we hope you use these tips to find the right fit for you. Every project is unique and should be treated that way. We hope you can find a communicative, professional, informative, well prepared photographer that delivers above your expectations. We hope by knowing what to look for, your shoot will be set up for success and acquire images that exceed your expectations.
Square Shooting would love to discuss your photography goals! Please contact us today!