What Makes a good photographer ?
There is certainly more to it than just great pictures.
20 years of experience has helped us to understand what it is exactly that our clients
expect from a professional photographer. Here's a useful check list that you should
consider when booking a photographer :-
Creativity - Goes without saying. All photography is about interpreting ideas,
information and messages. A fresh approach, new ideas and eye for creativity is
essential.
Experience - The more the better. An experienced photographer approaches an
assignment and deals with new situations with confidence and enthusiasm.
Knowledge - An ever developing skill. Understanding composition, how cameras work, why light bounces, is pretty standard stuff. Knowledge of how the picture is going to be
used is also an essential skill of the modern photographer. Resizing and preparing an
image for use on the web, in an email, powerpoint, dvd, cd-rom, video, brochure,
exhibition panel or even lightbox involves different resolutions and more essentially
technical colour profiles. Get it wrong and all that hard work can look like the local
camera club's had a go at it.
Attitude - What attitude ? The last thing any client needs is a photographer with a bad
attitude. By the nature of the job photographers are often the centre of attention.
They need to organise, direct, prepare and delegate. They also need to be able to
listen, take direction, get involved and solve problems. People skills will often be tested
to the limit. Some can handle the pressure better than others. A good photo shoot
should be both productive, effective, and memorable, for the right reasons.
Realistic Pricing - Good photography needn't cost the earth. Professional photography
is normally charged by the hour, half day or full day rate. The price should also include
unlimited shots, all image processing and colour correction, storage, contact sheets,
high resolution images on disk, even a little retouching if required.
Image Useage - The big C word, Copyright. The good old days of paying twice for
a picture that you've already payed for are happily gone, certainly at Shoot anyway.
We have never charged additional fees to 'release' our images. Once an invoice is paid
all images are free to be published as many times as needed for as many uses as you
can think of.
Service - Is the customer always right ? If not we'll help, advise and work together
to resolve issues and concerns. Professional conduct and courtesy to clients is
paramount. We pride ourselves in being available to recieve and return calls and emails
at all times. If we are on a shoot we'll call back or return emails during a break.
Storage & Security - Boring but essential. Every project is backed up both on and off
site, onto duplicate DVD's, duplicate hard drives, and our dedicated online server.
