Picking a Phtotg for family shots

huntersdad · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

Something I have never had to do. But, I have come to the realization, sometimes I need to be more concerned about being in the picture than taking it. And turning the camera over to my wife isn't a very good idea.

So, I am looking for a photog to some family-type beach pics in a few weeks. What would you guys look for in a professional to do pics for you?

tonylong · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

Hmm...an actual wedding photog may actually be able to deliver "the goods" if you have looked at their portfolio and it includes a lot of outdoor shots of the bride/groom/wedding party.

huntersdad · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonylong

Hmm...an actual wedding photog may actually be able to deliver "the goods" if you have looked at their portfolio and it includes a lot of outdoor shots of the bride/groom/wedding party.

I've looked over several websites and had a couple get close, but I just haven't gotten that "warm" feeling yet. Wasn't sure if I was expecting too much or just looking at the wrong thing.

Anyone can take a picture of a family on the beach and that's not exactly what I am looking for.

tonylong · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntersdad

I've looked over several websites and had a couple get close, but I just haven't gotten that "warm" feeling yet. Wasn't sure if I was expecting too much or just looking at the wrong thing.

Anyone can take a picture of a family on the beach and that's not exactly what I am looking for.

Well, and that's why I suggested a wedding photog with the experience/portfolio that shows that "warm" look!

As to how to find one in your locality, well, I wouldn't know!

huntersdad · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

Sorry, Tony, I can locate them, just having trouble finding the "one".

tonylong · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

Well, good luck with that! I can "see" what you are after, and it does take a "touch" to be able to go beyond family "snapshots" -- a touch I don't have!

suecassidy · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

Your needs will depend on many factors. If you have little children, you might consider someone who not only does the style of work you like, but clearly has the gift for dealing with kids. If you look at enough of their portfolio, you should get a sense of that. If you have older children who are cooperative, and smile naturally on cue, YAY you. However, if you have surly teenage boys who would rather remove their own spleens with a rusty grapefruit spoon, than have lame photos taken....that's a different set of needs again. That's where the personality of the photographer will matter as much as their technical and creative abilities. I said all that to say this: you need to give a think as to what you need from all those aspects before settling on a photographer. You can get a sense of the technical and creative side from viewing their galleries and sometimes you can get a sense of their personality/people wrangling skills as well, but an in person meeting is often needed.

huntersdad · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

Don't think I'll have time for a in-person meeting and that is my fault. My daughter's 16 months and rarely does anything when you want her too - that comes about 10 seconds later (ask me how I know)!! I think I prefer a female at this point because I think my little one will react better to a female, but the pictures I have in mind won't really require her to interact with the photographer - just me or mom.

But I do need someone who understands the shots I want and clearly knows how to get them.

I'm getting tired of looking at websites - I do know that.

AvailableLight · 7th of May 2012 (Mon)

That's quite a conundrum because you are a photographer. Maybe you are looking for yourself, in some sort of way?

I think perhaps you can try turning the tables. Putting an ad with what you want, and let the photographer find you.

huntersdad · 8th of May 2012 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvailableLight

That's quite a conundrum because you are a photographer. Maybe you are looking for yourself, in some sort of way?

I think perhaps you can try turning the tables. Putting an ad with what you want, and let the photographer find you.

Funny, I actually am not looking for myself. As I review portfolios, I am looking for a specific type of shoot - more than just the family on the dunes or the kids standing at the water's edge. I can do those myself. I'm really looking for someone that shows a little more creativity and fun in their pictures. Amazingly, I can't find it.

I had thought about the ad and may still do it. Just wanted to avoid the plethora of crap I know I am gonna get. I don't mind giving a new person a chance if they can demostrate what I am looking for.

Numenorean · 8th of May 2012 (Tue)

Maybe post what you are looking for in the services needed forum here?

huntersdad · 8th of May 2012 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numenorean

Maybe post what you are looking for in the services needed forum here?

Done yesterday.

7th of May 2012 (Mon)	#1
huntersdad Goldmember Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,076 IMAGE EDITING OK	Picking a Phtotg for family shots Something I have never had to do. But, I have come to the realization, sometimes I need to be more concerned about being in the picture than taking it. And turning the camera over to my wife isn't a very good idea. So, I am looking for a photog to some family-type beach pics in a few weeks. What would you guys look for in a professional to do pics for you? __________________ WEBSITE / Facebook

7th of May 2012 (Mon)	#2
tonylong ....winded Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA USA Posts: 47,222 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Picking a Phtotg for family shots Hmm...an actual wedding photog may actually be able to deliver "the goods" if you have looked at their portfolio and it includes a lot of outdoor shots of the bride/groom/wedding party. __________________ Tony Two Canon cameras (5DC, 30D), three Canon lenses (24-105, 100-400, 100mm macro) Tony Long Photos on PBase Wildlife project pics here, Biking Photog shoots here, "Suburbia" project here! Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood pics here

7th of May 2012 (Mon)	#5
huntersdad Goldmember Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,076 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Picking a Phtotg for family shots Sorry, Tony, I can locate them, just having trouble finding the "one". __________________ WEBSITE / Facebook

7th of May 2012 (Mon)	#6
tonylong ....winded Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA USA Posts: 47,222 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Picking a Phtotg for family shots Well, good luck with that! I can "see" what you are after, and it does take a "touch" to be able to go beyond family "snapshots" -- a touch I don't have! __________________ Tony Two Canon cameras (5DC, 30D), three Canon lenses (24-105, 100-400, 100mm macro) Tony Long Photos on PBase Wildlife project pics here, Biking Photog shoots here, "Suburbia" project here! Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood pics here

7th of May 2012 (Mon)	#7
suecassidy Goldmember Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huntington Beach California Posts: 3,929 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Picking a Phtotg for family shots Your needs will depend on many factors. If you have little children, you might consider someone who not only does the style of work you like, but clearly has the gift for dealing with kids. If you look at enough of their portfolio, you should get a sense of that. If you have older children who are cooperative, and smile naturally on cue, YAY you. However, if you have surly teenage boys who would rather remove their own spleens with a rusty grapefruit spoon, than have lame photos taken....that's a different set of needs again. That's where the personality of the photographer will matter as much as their technical and creative abilities. I said all that to say this: you need to give a think as to what you need from all those aspects before settling on a photographer. You can get a sense of the technical and creative side from viewing their galleries and sometimes you can get a sense of their personality/people wrangling skills as well, but an in person meeting is often needed. __________________ Sue Cassidy GEAR: Canon 1ds, Canon 1d Mark iii, Sony RX 100, Canon 50mmL 1.2, Canon 70-200L 2.8 IS, Canon 100-400L IS, Canon 14mm L, 2.8, . Lighting: Elinchrom Rangers, D-lite 400s, Canon 580/550 flashes. 74 ' Octabank, 27' Rotalux. Editing: Aperture 3

7th of May 2012 (Mon)	#9
AvailableLight Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,208	Re: Picking a Phtotg for family shots That's quite a conundrum because you are a photographer. Maybe you are looking for yourself, in some sort of way? I think perhaps you can try turning the tables. Putting an ad with what you want, and let the photographer find you. __________________ AJ Rebel T3i (600D) 18-55 \| 55-250 \| 50 1.8 \| 60 2.8 macro \| 15-85 \| 430 EXII

8th of May 2012 (Tue)	#11
Numenorean Goldmember Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,224	Re: Picking a Phtotg for family shots Maybe post what you are looking for in the services needed forum here? __________________ Gear List

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