5 Tips on Choosing the Best Family Photographer for You

If you google “Toronto family photographer” you’ll get millions of results! So how do you find the best Toronto family photographer? Since I’m a photographer you might think I would say “choose me”. But truthfully, best is a relative term. What is ideal for you might not be the best for someone else. Here are 5 things to consider before hiring a photographer:

1) ENSURE their Style MATCHES YOUR VISION

You want someone who has a cohesive style that appeals to your aesthetic. Photography is an art form and the way I view a scene (and edit the photos) can be very different from other photographers. My style is bright and airy, with a natural, modern approach. I create images that are full of emotion, joy and connection. While my pictures may appear candid, they aren’t completely documentary (e.g. I will suggest poses and activities for my clients).

Other family photographers have a more moody, artsy style, whereas still others have a more classic approach with everyone smiling at the camera. Before booking a photographer, make sure you take a look at their portfolio (on their website, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) to ensure their style is what you’re looking for.

2) LOOK AT THEIR EXPERIENCE

I’ve included skill after style because they are closely interlinked (but not the same). You might adore someone’s style but you want to make sure they have the experience to produce this style during your shoot. The subject matter (e.g. newborns vs. teens), lighting conditions (e.g. is the shoot at sunset vs. full sun), location (indoors vs. outdoors) all require different photographic skills. One way to assess if the photographer will be the right photographer for you is to look for images that they’ve taken under similar conditions to your shoot. So for example if you’re having a birthday party at an indoor location lacking natural light - but the only pictures you see in someone’s portfolio are outdoors - ask them if they have experience photographing in a similar setting and to see sample images.

It can also be helpful to look at a gallery of images from a single session (such as this) vs. single images. You can often find these on a photographer’s blog. Remember, it’s much easier to produce one, amazing “Instagram-worthy” photograph than for a photographer to produce a gallery full of strong images.

3) ASK AROUND FOR A SOMEONE WITH A GOOD REPUTATION

You’ll also want to make sure that the photographer is professional and someone you like! You’ll be in front of the camera which is often a pretty awkward place to be, so you want to work with someone who makes you feel comfortable. Referrals from friends can go a long way or look for positive reviews on Google and Facebook. Also, since this tip can be hard to assess before you meet the person, check to see if they respond in a timely fashion and are friendly.

4) LOOK AT WHERE THE PHOTOGRAPHER SHOOTS

Location matters in photography - and by location, I don’t just mean the city or town the photographer is in. You’ll want to have a general idea of where your shoot will take place: some photographers work out of a studio space, whereas others work on-location (e.g. in a local park or your home). Many photographers who shoot outdoors have their favourite spots in Toronto, so check their portfolio to see if these locations appeal to you.

5) MAKE SURE THE PRICE IS RIGHT (AND WELL UNDERSTOOD)

Family photography is an investment but pricing can vary greatly. Is more expensive better? Not always but like any product, the price can be an indicator of quality.

There are many different pricing models so make sure you understand the total price before booking. Some photographers charge a session fee (which covers the photographer’s time and talent only) and charge a separate price for images or products. Others have one all-inclusive price. Still others (like me) charge one price for a set number of images and a higher price for additional images. There isn’t a right or wrong way; it’s just critical that you understand the price before booking so there aren’t any surprises after the shoot.

Mini session pricing also differs from regular family photography pricing. Mini sessions are often priced lower because these sessions are shorter and you receive fewer photos, but also because the photographer can book many sessions back-to-back.

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions about hiring the right photographer for you.