How to Choose the Right Orlando, Florida Photographer | 3 Mistakes and how to Avoid Them
These days it seems like everyone’s a photographer. Especially in the city. A quick Google search like “Portrait Photographers in Orlando” will show you dozens of results.
And once you get to the results page, you’ll find a huge variety of prices, styles, and personalities.
So how on earth do you choose a photographer?
I firmly believe you should feel confident when it comes to hiring a photographer, and I believe the artist you choose should give you something valuable in exchange for your time and money. That’s why I put together this list of 3 mistakes people make when choosing an Orlando portrait photographer.
I’ve also included some things to do instead.
By the end of this article you should know what to look for and what questions ask - so that you can feel confident choosing an artist near the city.
3 Mistakes People Make When They Choose an Orlando Portrait Photographer
Mistake #1) You hire someone because they’re your friend.
People often hire photographers they have relationships with. This makes sense - kind of. During a shoot you’re in close proximity to the artist, so you’ll want to feel comfortable with them. Working with a friend will help with that. And photography feels so subjective that working with someone you know can help you feel a bit more secure about your investment.
But there are a few problems with this tactic.
Your friend’s photography might not be the right fit for you.
Photography styles vary dramatically from artist to artist. That means that your friend might be super good at their craft - but they might not be able to produce the kind of work that you’ll need (or will enjoy). This is a totally normal problem - and it’s not a reflection on the quality of your friend’s work. I have a pretty varied portrait portfolio, but my photography isn’t right for everyone. And that’s okay. If I can’t make the kinds of pictures my friends need, then I want them to shop elsewhere - not because I don’t want the work, but because I want them to have the images they need. Orlando photographers are service providers, and it’s our job to make sure you get the images you need
Your friend can’t produce the quality you need.
There’s another scenario to consider. What if your friend has “a great eye,” but they’re brand new at the craft? You might feel tempted to work with them because of your relationship (and potentially because of the great price they offer you), but you’ll want to be prudent with your purchasing decisions here. You should feel confident that your friend can produce images that will work for you. Even if you’re investing a little bit of money, you might not get any return on that investment if the images can’t be used for your application.
What to do instead: Make sure you like their style. When you’re shopping around for Orlando portrait photographers, don’t just hire someone because they’re your friend. Treat them like any other photographer. Consider their work and ask the following questions: Is their work a good fit for you?
Do you like their style?
Will it look good on your wall?
Will it look good in your book?
No one will be offended if you choose an artist you think is a better fit for your aesthetic.
What to do instead: Make sure they can produce quality images.
If you’re giving someone money in exchange for a product or service, you should feel confident that you’ll get value for your money. Treat your photographer friend like you would any other service provider and politely inquire about the quality of their work. If your friend is new and you feel like they can deliver - that’s great. But if you’re uncertain, then keep shopping around.
Mistake #2: You hire someone because they’re cheap.
I have a friend who recently hired a new photographer for family portraits near Orlando because they were cheap. My friend had a fun experience on the shoot, but when he got the pictures back he was in for a surprise. The photos were not flattering. At all. The result of this cheap photography purchase? Instant buyer’s remorse. So what does good photography cost? That’s a tricky question. And the answer is - it depends. For now, here are a few things to consider:
You’ll get what you pay for. It’s easy to experience sticker shock when you get a quote from a photographer, but it’s not because they’re trying to take advantage of you. It’s because they’re small business owners who do quality work. If a photographer is in high demand, they’ll probably charge a bit more than their peers. If a photographer is cheap, there’s a reason for that. High volume, quick (and poor) execution, and poor customer service are often the culprit. Generally speaking, a higher price tag really does mean you’ll get a better experience - but not all the time.
More expensive isn’t always better. If a higher price tag equals a better experience, does that mean you should just hire the most expensive photographer you can afford? Not exactly. Sometimes photographers charge more because their cost of business is higher. This is often (but not always) true of studio photographers. Always confirm that the artist can produce work that is valuable to you.
What to do instead: Consider other factors.If you wouldn't hire someone just because they're cheap, then it stands to reason you shouldn’t hire someone just because they’re expensive. Make sure the photographer (regardless of the cost) can produce work that you like, and make sure you feel comfortable working with them.
Mistake #3: You hire someone because their location is convenient.
You live in Orlando. And there are dozens of photographers right down the street from you. It stands to reason that at least one of them will be the right fit for you.
But there’s a chance they might not be.
What to do instead: Be willing to travel.
If you’re having trouble finding the perfect portrait photographer in Orlando, then be ready to travel out of the city. Good photographers (and good photography locations) are worth traveling for. Just make sure the additional travel will add value to your experience.
Choosing the right Orlando portrait photographer: a conclusion.
Photography is an investment. And good investments have good returns. If you’re exchanging money for photography, you should get an experience and final product that is valuable to you.
Keep these things in mind and you should feel confident while you shop for a photographer near Orlando.