A local professional photographer is a great resource for any project that requires high-quality images. Whether you’re looking for images to use on your website, advertising campaign, branding for business or yourself, or photos for a special occasion, such as a wedding or a birthday, hiring a professional photographer can help you capture the perfect moments. With over 53,630 professional photographers in the United States and 950 in the state of Utah, (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) not to mention the tens of thousands more who claim to be pro photographers, it can be a challenge to find a professional photographer that checks all the boxes.

Here are 5 tips for hiring a local professional photographer that is right for your project.

1. Research Photographers in Your Area

Do they have a website? Start by researching a local professional photographer to find the one that suits your needs. You can check out online galleries and websites of professional photographers in your area. Look at the portfolio of each photographer to get a feel for their style and quality. Make sure to pay attention to what type of photography they specialize in and see if it’s applicable to your project. Remember that a wedding photographer may not be a good choice for your billboard or product catalog.

2. Check Education, Experience & Reviews

What education, training and experience do they have? Are they members of professional organizations such as PPA, ASMP, APA, NPPA or WPPI? While being part of a professional organization doesn't guarantee an individual is a professional but it does usually require an investment of time and money. A VERY GOOD INDICATION OF A PROFESSIONAL IS THEM HAVING LIABILITY INSURANCE. It shows they take their business seriously!

It’s also helpful to check reviews when hiring a local professional photographer. Read customer testimonials on their website, or look them up on Google or Yelp to see how other customers have rated their services. This can help you get an idea of how reliable the photographer is, how friendly they are, and if they provide high-quality images.

3. Ask About Availability

Once you have identified a few potential photographers, reach out and ask them about their availability. You want to make sure the photographer is available on the date and time that you need them. Ask if they are able to travel if your project requires it. Also keep in mind the deadline of when you plan to use your photos. You will want to schedule your photo shoot well in advance, leaving plenty of time for retouching and delivery of photos. ( For us generally the schedule gets quite busy for the 3 months before the winter holidays so you may save money by scheduling in the less busy times in the summer or at the first of the year.)

4. Discuss Your Budget

It’s also important to discuss your budget with the photographer before signing any contracts or agreements. Make sure you get an accurate estimate of their services and fees, as well as any additional costs that may be involved in completing your project. Many people are apprehensive about discussing budget, fearing that they will end up paying too much. Having a realistic idea of your budget helps the photographer to find a way to offer you services in your price range. Many times they can adjust usage/licensing fees or scale down a shoot to fit your budget while still satisfying your needs, but they can't do it if they don't know what your needs and budget are.

5. Schedule a Meeting

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, schedule a meeting with each of your potential photographers. This is an important step to make sure that you are comfortable working with the photographer and that you can communicate effectively. Ask them any questions you have about their services, such as turnaround times or post-processing options.

By following these tips, you can find and hire a local professional photographer that fits your needs. Reach out to us at Carole Jones Commercial Photography today for a free consultation! With the right photographer, you can have amazing images for any occasion, we would appreciate the opportunity to do business with you.