5 Red Flags of a "Professional" Photographer
I’m a photographer and a business owner — and unfortunately, I’m not very unique. The world is saturated with photographers who charge for their service and while it’s great to have so many options of creative people to work with, I imagine it must be challenging to know which photographer is right for you. Here are 5 red flags to look out for when shopping for a professional photographer.
DISCLAIMER: In this list, I am not talking about your cousin who just bought a camera and is looking for opportunities to practice. I’ve been there - most photographers have. In this list, I’m specifically talking about professional, working, photographers who you are hoping to hire and pay for professional results.
Red Flag #1 - The Photographer Without a Contract
Contracts protect you, the client, AND the photographer. A photography contract should include the general scope of the shoot (ex: 1-Hour Outdoor Lifestyle etc), a number (or range) of deliverables, and the date, time, and location of the shoot. They’ll also usually include reschedule and cancelation clauses as well as usage and licensing rights. The contract allows you to hold a photographer accountable to the project and service they agreed to provide.
PRO-TIP: Ask your photographer how they price their usage and licensing fees. Some include them in their package rates. Others will charge based on how and where you will use these photos. Boring stuff, but important stuff.
Red Flag #2 - The Photographer Who Doesn’t Show Any Interest In Your Inquiry
Photography is a personal and highly custom experience regardless of whether you’re looking for headshots or product photos. There’s a reason why you’re not going the mock-up or stock photo option and a good photographer will recognize that. Not all photographers you reach out to are a good fit but the kindest thing they can do is let you know that they can’t or don’t take your specific request. A photographer who shows absolutely no interest while expressing they are open to working with you can lead to a dull and often disappointing overall experience.
Red Flag #3 - The Photographer Who Insists You Come Alone
This is incredibly predatory behavior and unfortunately, extremely common in the portrait photography world. I have heard and read nightmare stories of clients, and models who wanted to bring a friend on set for support but were discouraged to do so by their photographer. Closed commercial and portrait sets are commonplace but discouraging or even disallowing a client to bring someone else on set is a big big red flag. Predatory and abusive behavior is not acceptable and photographers who exhibit these behaviors need to be held accountable. Please be safe.
Red Flag #4 - The Ghosty Photographer
Life gets busy. But if you’re having to constantly follow up or pull teeth for a reply from your photographer, you’re probably better off working with somebody else. A photographer who is difficult to communicate with or get a reply from BEFORE the shoot will exhibit these same behaviors AFTER the shoot wraps. Timely responses and clear communication are common courtesy and if your professional photographer can’t uphold that, steer clear - no matter how good their work is. I also think clients should be held to the same standard. Common courtesy for all!
Red Flag #5 - The Photographer Who Doesn’t Have Any Work To Show
This one’s relatively rare nowadays. Most working professional photographers have a website to showcase their portfolio. That’s probably where you found them. Instagram is also a popular place for photographers to show their work. A photographer who doesn’t have any work to show has no business charging for work. To work with a creative professional without seeing samples of their work is a gamble. Every photographer’s style is different and it’s important to find a photographer whose work aligns with your creative vision.
I’m excited to share what are the Green Flags to look out for when shopping around for a photographer. That’ll be an article for another day. Let me know what you think of these 5 Red Flags - are there any you’d add?