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Checklist for Hiring a Professional Photographer
- Discuss the date, time and location upon your initial contact with the photographer. If he's already booked or would otherwise be unavailable, there's no point in wasting your time and his.
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Confirm the date, time and location again upon engaging the photographer's services. Be sure these details are spelled out clearly in the contract, and if there are any discrepancies anywhere, make sure to clear up any confusion both verbally and in writing.
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Confirm the date, time and location again about a month prior to the event, and again the day before the event.
- You may have particular needs for your photographic job, such as hair styling and makeup, prop and wardrobe rental, or talent and location scouting. If you expect the photographer to provide any of these items and services as part of the photography package, be sure to describe your needs to the photographer as precisely as possible. Don't make any assumptions about what is included in the price or what the photographer will provide.
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Make your own checklist of "must have" shots — those moments that you absolutely positively must have captured on film (or disk). Go over this list carefully with your photographer, and make sure he is familiar with the sequence of events that will occur, so that he can be prepared to capture your "must haves."
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At the event itself, identify the VIP guests to the photographer, so that he knows who is the mother of the bride, the CEO, the guest of honor. Remember, these are your guests, not his; he doesn't automatically know the lady in the red dress is your best friend since kindergarten and absolutely must be featured in several shots.
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Confirm the cost and any extras. Be sure you know what you're paying, and what you get for that money. Good photographers don't work cheap — but you want to make sure you're spending your money on what you want, not what the photographer wants.
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Prior to the event, confirm with the photographer any special equipment or services he is to provide, and find out from him if you need to provide any special equipment or access. If he's supposed to take a rooftop shot, will he have access to the roof? If he needs to set up special lighting, is there an outlet nearby, and in the appropriate voltage? Do you need to provide his name to a gate guard, or obtain a pass to give to the photographer ahead of time?
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If you're planning an outdoor event and have backup plans for an inside location in case of bad weather, make sure you provide your backup plan and location to the photographer. If you don't have a backup plan, make one now, and then tell your photographer.
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Make sure he has your phone number, and you have his, in case of any last-minute emregency or change of plans.
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