I recently did a poll and asked some questions on my Instagram stories about hiring a photographer to get quality images of you and your horse.
These results didn’t surprise me.
I went on to ask the questions, “if you haven’t why not?”, “if you have, how was your experience and did you like your photos?” and “what do you wish photographers knew?”
Because #marketresearch
Again, (most of) the answers I received didn’t surprise me. The one answer that did surprise me and popped up multiple times was along the lines of “there aren’t any photographers here”. SAY WHAT?
But the least surprising response I received was that people have not had professional photos taken because hiring a photographer is expensive and I totally get it.
I know you work hard to earn your money, I know you have priorities on where that money be spent and I know sometimes professional photos just aren’t a priority.
But I would argue then that the reason you haven’t had professional photos taken of you and your horse isn’t because it’s expensive, but because you haven’t chosen to make it a priority.
Because what may seem like an “unreasonable” fee to you is likely completely reasonable for the time and talent of the photographer.
When I began photographing clients, my fee was a lot less because I had less knowledge and experience. Over the years I have spent considerable time and money on my education and gaining experience to better serve you. As a result, my fee has increased over the years.
My fee is not cheap, but it is reasonable. It is based off my “Cost of Doing Business” and it takes into account my time, talent, equipment, taxes, and all of the other costs associated with working for myself. And I would argue that most photographer’s fee is based on the same components.
Does it hurt my feelings when someone doesn’t hire me? No.
But it gets under my skin a little when the reason is I’m “too expensive”.
I understand you likely have a budget, and if my fee is outside of your budget, that’s fine! But say it that way.
I have hired so many photographers over the years, which means I have searched for so many photographers over the years and I have had to politely thank photographers for their time answering my inquiry and let them know that I loved their work but, unfortunately, their fee was outside of my budget.
What to Look for When Hiring a Photographer:
There are two “types” of photographers, in my mind:
- Shoot & Burn
- In-Person Sales
Shoot & Burn is what I am: I charge you one flat fee, I photograph you at your session, I cull and edit your photos, and I send you a digital gallery with a print release.
In-Person Sales photographers charge you a session fee to photograph you at your session, cull and either edit a couple of your photos or all of the photos they plan on showing you, they have you meet to select the photos from your session you would like to purchase (above and beyond the session fee you have already paid) and you pay a per print or per digital fee for every photo you select.
You need to decide which kind of photographer you would like to work with for your session and understand the fees and costs associated with that photographer before booking with them. Once you have decided that, you can start looking for a photographer.
I usually start with a Google search but you can also hashtag search. When you find photographer’s in your area whose styles you like, contact them and ask the relevant questions:
- How much is their session fee and what does that include? Do you get a digital gallery with a print release or do you have to order prints/digitals individually through the photographer?
- Do they have horse experience?
- Are they available for the date/time frame you need?
- What is their turnaround time?
I personally think it is fairly important for a photographer to have some kind of horse experience. BUT! If this photographer is fantastic and you love their style but they don’t have horse experience, don’t feel like you have to write them off. Explain that you’re interested in a session with your horse and how important it is to you to have your horse look interested and comfortable in the photos with his ears up and his feet/legs not positioned awkwardly and ask if that photographer would still be comfortable working with you. I assume at this point, if they are, they’ll do some research on what “good horse photos” are and your session will rock!
If you have a specific idea in mind for your session, be sure to share it with your photographer sooner rather than later! Otherwise, your photographer won’t know and they will rely on their own ideas and experience and may fall short in meeting your expectations.
Also… I’m based in Washington and would love to photograph you! If that’s not an option and you are struggling to find someone in your area, let me know! I’m more than willing to try to help find a photographer in your area.
