How to Commission a Photographer? Part 2: Finding the Right Photographer for your Shoot

Part 2: Finding the Right Photographer for your Shoot: What to Look Out for.

Hopefully, last week’s post (Part 1: Why Commission Photography?) convinced you that bespoke, original photography is the way to go. So now you just need to find the perfect photographer for your shoot.

We represent a range of photographers here at LPA, both established and emerging talent, and would be happy to recommend the right artist for your shoot. If you can’t see what you are looking for we can also provide an art buying service and source a photographer for you from outside our roster.

Here’s a handy checklist of things to consider:

• The Style of Photography

The number one thing that you’ll be considering is the actual work of the photographer. Can they interpret your vision and translate visually precisely what you have in mind?

• Experience

Has the photographer got the right experience and skills you need to carry off your shoot?

You may need the end result to look like a spontaneous moment, but you also want to cast specific models, scout locations and have the shoot styled. Is this something the photographer has experience in? Working with a large crew can be an intense experience and photographers require a whole load of skills other than just taking great pictures to do this well.

Perhaps you are looking for a photographer who is used to working with ‘real’ people who aren’t models , and is able to put them at their ease. Again a very different discipline and skill.

Or your shoot many require a photographer that is used to working with kids.

Or a photographer that also shoots moving image, maybe you need a photographer who is experienced in shooting in a studio as well as on location, or someone experienced with working alongside a tvc crew for example.

• Personality

Photography (as with most businesses) is such a ‘people’ business. A lot of our commissions comes from people wanting to work with us or our photographers as repeat business as they get on well. It’s important that you ‘gel’ with your chosen photographer, can communicate easily with them, and are likely to enjoy spending time with them. Our photographers also appreciate that shoots are a collaboration, a two-way process, and they can bring plenty of ideas to the table.

We can easily set up a ‘chemistry meeting’ for you if you’d like to meet any of our photographers.

• Approach

Something we often do for clients enquiring about our photographers is provide a treatment. We can provide more background information on the photographer and their experience plus relevant images. This is also an opportunity for the photographer to explain how they will approach your shoot, and achieve exactly the end result you are looking for. It shows you that they are on the same page visually and understand your requirements. If the shoot requires further collaboration, for example with a set builder or stylist we can also provide examples of their work.

• Price

Most of our clients appreciate the cost of a top-end photographer, and that you get what you pay for. We always try and accommodate all of our clients needs including tight budgets and deadlines.

We are here to help and sometimes we can suggest a different approach to the logistics of the shoot if the budget really is an issue. Also, don’t forget we represent a group of emerging photographers (LPA Futures) who might be more willing to shoot for a reduced fee (if it’s a perfect job!)

To be honest though, it's actually quite rare that any of our photographers are commissioned because they are ‘cheaper’, 9 times out of 10 all of our photographers are commissioned as they are absolutely right for the job and not because of price. By the same token, if it really is a super job for a good cause and your budget is ‘challenging’, it may be that our more established photographers might be interested anyway.

As an agent, it is our job to secure photographers’ jobs on fair and professional terms, including their fees. None of our photographers have a day rate as such and their fees are calculated on the end usage of the images. We treat each brief individually and take everything into account, but lots more to come on this subject in Part 4: The Cost of a Photoshoot.

• Availability

Ok, a bit of an obvious one, but this is meant to be a handy checklist for busy people and often it’s the more obvious things that can get forgotten. If you have particular dates in mind, we can check availability of your preferred photographers. If they are free we will give you a ‘1st option’. Should another client come along wanting the same dates, we will give them a 2nd option until we check with you that you can either release or confirm your dates.

• Production Support

From turning around a comprehensive estimate, to planning a realistic schedule, to being aware of what permits, releases and legal obligations need to be considered, producing shoots can be a fine art. Even the simplest shoot needs production know-how.

Finding a photographer with good production backup will take the weight off your mind. Well say no more, our in-house team of experienced shoot producers are at your service.

Of course, you could just send us your brief and we’ll suggest the right photographer for you!

Talking of which, watch out for next week’s instalment…

Part 3: Writing the Brief: What we need to know to cost and plan the shoot.

If you don’t want to miss any crucial information, sign up now. Send your email address to hello@lisapritchard.com with the subject line “How to Commission a Photographer” and we’ll send you the guide directly each week. We’ll also be happy to answer any further questions you have on commissioning a photoshoot in the meantime.

Although the author has made every effort to ensure that the information in this blog post is correct, the contents are provided without warranty as to their accuracy, may be of a general nature and the opinion of the author only. The author will not be held responsible for any loss, damage or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.