Mistakes Portrait Consumers Tend to Make (Part 1)

A beautiful family portrait, which brings tears of joy to your eyes every time you look at it, is priceless…especially if it’s been created in a special location that is meaningful to you.  But a portrait that you don’t like, for whatever reason, is worthless to you since it doesn’t capture the emotions, relationships and style of your loved ones.

There are 7 huge mistakes that some people make when choosing a photographer to create their family portraits. If you make these mistakes, you will most likely suffer great disappointment and heartbreak. Here are the first four…and how you can avoid making them.

Mistake #1: Some folks don’t ensure the photographer they select has a 100% Money-Back Guarantee! 

Always ask the photographer, “What happens if I’m not happy with the photographs?”  This will immediately tell you how this photographer feels about taking really good care of you, and making sure you are truly happy with the photographs and his or her service.

Most photographers would never think of guaranteeing their work. They will say “but it’s ‘art’, and you can’t guarantee art!” You’re investing your hard-earned money in these photographs, and you should pay for them only if you’re absolutely thrilled. When you select a photographer that offers a complete 100% guarantee and you are not completely thrilled with your photographs, he or she will either create additional images for you at no extra charge, or will cheerfully refund your money.

 

Make sure that any photographer you are considering offers this type of guarantee. Make it one of the first things you ask when you call on the phone or inquire via text or email. If they don’t immediately and without hesitation tell you that you don’t pay for their services if you’re not thrilled, then look elsewhere for a different photographer.

Mistake #2: Some folks hire a photographer who doesn’t meet with them, at no cost, prior to the actual photo session!

Make sure the photographer, or at least the “portrait consultant,” meets with you personally, at no extra charge to you, before the photographs are taken to help you with every decision. This ensures that you and your family will look perfect in your photographs, and that the photographic artist fully understands what’s most important to you about the photographs. It will also ensure that you have selected a photographer that you will be comfortable working with.

There are few photographers who routinely do this, and it’s such a vital step. A fine family portrait is much like decorating the inside of your home.  It involves careful planning, and everything must work together to make a great result. For example, if you were redecorating your living room, you would never choose what color wallpaper to put on the walls if you didn’t know what color carpeting you were going to have. Or imagine shopping for new furniture for that room, without knowing the exact dimensions and layout of the room first. You could end up buying furniture that just doesn’t fit.

It’s the same thing with your family portraits.  Any photographer who claims that he or she can just “plunk” you and your family down and “snap” the photographs and have them turn out great is not a highly disciplined, accomplished  photographer. That’s actually someone who is not concerned about creating a fantastic, perfect photograph of you and your loved ones; that’s someone who is only interested in cranking through as many clients per day as possible – like an assembly line — to take in as much revenue as possible.

You are not on an assembly line. Your family is completely unique, and unlike any other family on earth. Therefore, your photographs must reflect that. That’s why it’s so important that the photographer meet with you before the session.  At that time, he or she will help you choose the perfect clothing, provide suggestions on how to do hair and makeup, discuss possibilities with you for the perfect location to create the photographs, and find out what’s most important to you about these photographs and why you’ve decided to have them made. Make absolutely sure that your chosen photographer will provide a free pre-portrait consultation. It’s a step in the process that should never be skipped.

Mistake #3: Some folks select a photographer who charges a premium for creating the images at a special, meaningful location that is important to them!

You should always be able to have your photographs created outdoors, in your home, at the beach - wherever you like – at no extra charge! Many photographers price their services on the assumption that your session will take place in their studio. But that may not be always the case. Many people love more format portraits. But just as many people prefer their portraits to reflect a place that has a special meaning to them. The option to have your images created at a location that is beautiful and personal to you should be made available without having to pay a huge premium, especially if that location is within a reasonable distance.

We are very fortunate here on Long Island’s beautiful East End to have access to many locations for outdoor portraiture. This may not necessarily be something that you are looking for. But if it is, and If you don’t have an exact idea of where you’d like to have your photographs created, your photographer should  be able to help you decide.

If your photographer routinely charges a premium above their normal fee in order to photograph you and your family at a special location, then that photographer might not be the right photographer for you.

Mistake #4: Some folks hire a photographer who has not been trained in enhancing and retouching portraits! 

 

Retouching for the perfect portrait goes far beyond mere “digital retouching” where a computer guy goes in and removes blemishes or touches up some wrinkles.  Many photographers are not specifically trained to perform portrait enhancing and retouching, plus they do not have a Personal Portrait Enhancement Artist go over every inch of your portraits to give them another dimension of life. These photographers may routinely perform basic digital “fixing,” but for anything above that they routinely charge extra for it because they need to hire someone to do it for them and they therefore pass the cost on to the client. These photographers will charge you a “base rate” for the photography, then add on fees for everything beyond that. It’s like buying a car at the dealership, then finding out that you have to pay extra if you want tires and an engine. Retouching and enhancing should be included in the base price, just as tires and an engine should be included in the base cost of the car.

Be sure you ask your photographer about any “hidden” charges, especially for retouching and enhancing. If the price you are quoted is not truly a “final price,” you might consider going elsewhere.

Coming Soon!

The Remaining Mistakes that Portrait Photo Consumers Tend to Make (Part 2)

CLICK OUR LOGO AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE HOMEPAGE