So, you’re thinking of having some photographs taken by a professional photographer? On behalf of us pros, thank you very much. But before your shoot comes around, here are a few tips to help us get the best photographs possible, without wanting to tear our hair out along the way.
I do stress that this is written in a very lighthearted fashion 😄
- Event planners! We know that candlelight and low lighting makes even the dingiest of spaces look romantic, but please remember that we need a little light to photograph with. It’s no fun turning up to an event and feeling as if we’re about to go on a caving expedition. (Also, it’s none of my business but naked flames and free alcohol doesn’t seem like a great combination to me.)
- So you’re getting married? Congratulations! But when you book a photographer for the day and tell them you only want reportage shots, please check with your parents beforehand. Experience tells most pros that at least somebody will want a formal group shot to send to Great-Aunt Bertha in Nova Scotia.
- While we’re on the subject of weddings, there’s a reason most photographers pack up shortly after the first dance. When you’re planning a wedding, it might seem like a lovely idea to have evening shots of everyone dancing and having fun. Unfortunately, after a day involving copious amounts of alcohol, you’re more likely to end up with bleary expressions and dodgy grins. Let us pack up before things descend into madness!
- Need some smart corporate headshots done? No problem, but do ask men of a certain age to invest in a nasal trim beforehand. I think most photographers can attest to at least one happy retouching session zoomed in on noses that they really could have lived without.
- In addition in the corporate world, please do clarify what you mean when you ask for something ‘creative’. Do you actually want something a bit wacky or do you just mean you’d prefer a grey backdrop to the standard white one?
- Many of us love photographing pets. But please do let us know in advance if you have a cat that hides the minute it sees a stranger, or a dog that has unhealthy interests in a photographer’s leg. We’re good, but it does help if we can actually ‘see’ the pet, or get it far enough away from our legs for a photograph.
- Parents, we love photographing your children but please do our equipment a favour and let us know in advance if they’re going through a Vomiting Veronica phase. It’s not a problem, but it does mean we can bring our washable / wipe down backgrounds with us!
- On the subject of siblings, it’s totally normal to have at least a couple of photos of the older child trying to strangle the younger in a friendly half nelson. Don’t panic – we have ways and means of distracting kids, although bringing a couple of their favourite toys won’t hurt.
- And finally… no, I can’t make you look 20 years younger and 20lbs slimmer. I’m good, but I’m not a miracle worker…