Photography Session Etiquette

Photo Session Etiquette

(2/3)

In Photographer Hunting Etiquette I went over what to do when picking a photographer. This blog will go over once you have decided on a photographer. It doesn’t take much to have a successful session. Here are my three suggestions:

Lock It In

Any decent photographer is going to have a contract and a booking fee. Read it, ask questions, and pay the fee. This ensures the date in question is yours. If anyone else is inquiring about that day it will be first come, first serve. Nothing personal to you the client, but photographers have been stood up or ghosted by potential clients. A booking fee ensures you are serious about the session.

Ask Questions

There is nothing wrong with asking your photographers all the questions. A good photographer will already have ways to prep you for the session. If they don’t, here are some questions you may want to ask: what to wear, where can we photograph, what can I bribe my children with for a good session? It is better to be fully prepared than to go into your session wondering, “did I pick the right dress?”

Stick to the Schedule

If you are photographing in a studio or on location for a holiday session, be on time. Photographers often book more than one session a day. For holiday sessions on a Christmas tree farm or a park that requires a permit, there is a time limit. If a photographer books 8 sessions at 20 minute increments, your session is either going to be pushed to the back of the line or you won’t get the full 20 minutes.

If you are wondering why certain photographers are a higher price points, it is because they inform you of these types of issues. They let you know everything to expect so there are no surprises during or after your session. If you do end up with an inexperienced photographers, don’t be shy, ask the tough questions. If you liked these 2 etiquette blogs, check back for part three. I’ll go over post session etiquette.