For the Love of Photography

Check your Photographer

For the love of everything that is Art and Photography I can not hold my mouth shut anymore. Check your photographer, Make sure they are qualified to do what they are saying they will do. Ask about their experience and what their style type is. Hell even ask what program they use.

I see day to day people on different platforms complaining about how they received bad photos and paid $xxxx for them but they photographer had never shot a wedding before or a birth or did not know how to pose them. COME ON PEOPLE.

If you were to buy a car you would ask all the questions, want to know how old it is, mileage, owners, have any wrecks? but yet I see daily people throwing away moments, memories and vital photos of family members that might not be here tomorrow.

And I don’t say this as someone who is experienced with years of knowledge to cast down the new guys. We all start somewhere but there is a learning period that people should not be charging and ask to be mentored and shadow an experienced photographer. I’ve had new and fellow photographers come to weddings and shoots with me to watch and learn and grab shots for them to practice on. I don’t see it as competition, I see it as a relationship and partnership with a fellow lover of the artform that I love. I enjoy seeing how others view the same place, people, objects, etc. it’s fascinating.

BUT I have seen constantly photographers posting with crooked photos, unedited photos or just horribly planned photos from posing to lighting. Then people want to complain about it or worse…don’t even see the problem and have crappy photos that can never be printed.

So from now on can you guys promise me something, and this obviously pertains to you hiring someone else. If you do please for anything sacred research your photographer. Make sure their portfolio is somewhat consistent, actually their photos and have an actual conversation about your expectations of them before you book.

It breaks my heart fully when you have to call me asking to redo your photos because someone else couldn’t do the job they promised.

With Love,

Tori