What To Know When You Hire A Photographer For Your Business

Did you know that 65% of people are visual learners? This means that in order to attract the majority of people, your business’ visuals need to be on point. Whether it be headshots or product photos you want to make sure you’re putting your best images on display. This is where a professional photographer comes in handy. But how do you find one who will give you the best output?

In this post, we’ll cover the different types of photographers and what they specialize in, as well as how much it costs to hire a photographer for these different projects, and how to hire a photographer that fits your needs and preferences.

Types of Photographers

Below you will find some of the more common types of photographers that you might need to hire for your business.

Portrait Photographers

Portrait photographers specialize in taking photos of people. These include headshots and group photos, as well as photos of people at work or play, although staged.

If you need photos taken of people as they are moving around, you might want to hire a photographer who has a background in taking sports shots and the right equipment to take action shots. An event photographer may also do the trick if the activity is not too energetic. You may need, for example:

• Company management and personnel headshots so that you have professional photos of everyone on your team. This presents a more trustworthy image for customers.
• Company group photos for your website, to document events and meetings, etc. This allows you to show customers how you are developing as a company to let them know you are dedicated to improving your products or services.

Event Photographers

Event photographers specialize in taking photos at events like conferences and company parties. They are good at capturing candid moments that express such messages as key emotions and points in time. If you are hosting an event that celebrates a milestone for your company, you might want to hire a documentary photographer or photojournalist. These photographers specialize in taking photos of newsworthy events. They are also the best to hire for any actual documentary purposes. You may need, for example:

• Company party photos to show customers the human side of the company. This builds rapport and shows them that you care.
• Conference photos for your website or documentation. This also shows your dedication to internal development.

Product Photographers

Product photographers take pictures of products that a company is selling. They specialize in shooting stationary objects, either alone or with some props to enhance the products. You can hire a photographer who specializes further, say, in food photography, clothing photography, or electronics photography. You may need, for example:

• Photos of your complete product line. Different online selling platforms have different product page photo requirements that you need to comply with and should have to boost your conversion rate.
• Photos of your products in use. This shows customers how it feels to actually use the product, which is very useful for online shoppers who can’t actually hold the product in their hands before they buy it.

Editorial Photographers

Editorial photographers take photos especially for publication. The most popular type of editorial photography is for fashion shoots and story portraits.

In your business, you can use story portraits much like event photos or other activity photos to send a message through your website or print media such as brochures.

If your target is to publish images for ads, you can hire an advertising photographer, since they specialize in shots that target promotion rather than information or education. You may need, for example:

• Story portraits and event photos for case studies of your company. This brings the content to life so that readers can see that it’s a real story and not just made-up public relations hype.
• Branded content images for widespread use. This gives you a range of images that are specific to your brand. You can use them across platforms like your blog and social media posts.

You may need to hire a photographer with a range of experience, depending on your specific needs. For example, a scientific photographer comes in handy if you are in the field of research and development. Nature photographers specialize in shooting outdoor photos, so you want that if you aren’t taking photos inside an office. If you need photos taken of your office building or you want to portray that kind of ambiance, then you can use an architecture photographer to take photos of buildings. You may need, for example:

• Documentation of product prototypes and research processes. This is vital for your internal records and can come in handy when attracting investors or marketing the new product.
• Nature shots to use for website and social media post backgrounds. Not using the standard generic free photos that everyone else uses shows that you care more.

Cost to Hire a Photographer

Professional photography isn’t cheap. But remember that these images you are having done will be your brand assets for a long time to come. You want them to be the best they can be. It pays off in so many ways to hire a photographer. If you’re thinking about how much it’s going to cost you now, stop and consider the value that quality images will bring to your business.

Generally, you can hire a photographer for anywhere from ten to hundreds of dollars, depending on where you’re located, what they’re taking pictures of, what equipment they’re using, and how much experience they have.

In the US, the average cost to hire a photographer is $100 to $250 per hour. Event photographers charge more, from around $150 to $250 per hour, and they usually have a 2-hour minimum. A portrait photography photoshoot, such as for headshots, usually comes with a print package and costs from $150 to $300 and above.

A good rule of thumb is to look for one who is niched down in what you need specifically.

Note that certain types of photography cost more than the average depending on how difficult it is to achieve. Taking photos of glass products, for example, is very tricky in terms of lighting and angles. Taking photos of moving people and objects is also difficult. These shots will cost you more than stills and staged ones.

If you’re on a budget, you can also take photos yourself and have them edited, but the results will be very limited. It’s best to invest and hire a photographer who can take really good basic shots because you can use these over and over in different combinations for a long time to come.

How to Hire a Photographer

It can be challenging to find a photographer who does exactly what you need, but it’s worth the effort. This is the only way that you will get exactly what you need and be completely satisfied with the results. If you go halfway, you will soon find yourself wanting to do another photo shoot to fill in the gaps.

So, here’s how to hire a photographer who meets your needs and will get you results that you’re happy with:

1.  Be Specific About What You Need Done

Before you start looking for a photographer, get really clear on exactly what you need done. Sit down and write it all out. This will help you to craft a project description that is specific and to the point so you can attract the right candidate.

2.  Use A Freelance Marketplace

Post your project description on marketplaces that are known for connecting clients with seasoned, top-performing professionals. Search within photography organizations. Look into groups like trade associations who can guide you to the photographer who fits your needs.

3.  Prepare Thoughtful Interview Questions

Make sure that you know exactly what you want to ask a candidate before you hire them. You need to look through their resumes and portfolios before you speak with them so that you can confirm and explore anything that you need clarified before you award them your project.

Always remember to be extremely clear about the results that you want to get. After every point that you make, ask for their confirmation that they understand what you mean or if they have any questions.

When you find a photographer who’s on the same page and makes you feel comfortable and confident, then you’ve found the one!

Here are a couple of bonus tips to make the search easier:

• Hire a reputable photographer – social proof is your best friend when you hire a photographer for the first time. Research online for reviews and testimonials.
• Hire a niche photographer – based on your needs, choose the photographer who is a match. Look at who your competitors used as well. Reach out to companies that have the kinds of shots you like and ask them who they used.

Once you’ve found a few candidates who look like the best fits on the technical side, you want to check them out further. Look at their portfolios or contact them for samples. If all looks good based on your needs and your branding standards, you want to set up interviews with each of them.

Getting to know the photographer you are considering is important. Working with creatives can be difficult if they have a different take than you do on the project and on your brand. You want to make sure that you are on the same page in all aspects before you hire them. This includes price, so make sure that you explain what you need done in detail and get a firm quote before you proceed.

Final Thoughts

Before you hire a photographer, whatever the project may be, make sure you know exactly what you want. This will help you to find the right photographer who can get you exactly what you need. Don’t discount the rapport you have with the photographer either, or their level of professionalism. This will help make the entire process so much smoother and more enjoyable.

Ready to take your images to a new level? Hire a freelance photographer today.