Choosing a photographer can be one of the most difficult tasks. The abundance of photographers and the variety of their work can make it difficult to choose one photographer over another. Below are some keys to choosing a photographer.

First, decide what kind of photographs you like. The best way to do this is to look at dozens of photographers and decide between posed pictures with a bland background, posed pictures in nature or candid pictures.

You should also consider a photographer’s style. Some have more contemporary styles that feature brighter colors and more contemporary backgrounds, like brick walls, or cityscapes. Others are more traditional and use more traditional backdrops. Look for photographers where the subjects look comfortable and are positioned in interesting ways – this is most likely the work of an experienced photographer.

Secondly you should consider what the photographer offers with their price. Some photographers retain rights to the pictures. In this case, the photographer owns the picture and if you ever want more copies you would need to contact the photographer for permission. Look for photographers who give you a CD with high-resolution images of all of the pictures, or allow you to use your own ink cartridges to print your own photos. Also important is to consider when you receive your pictures. Some photographers require at least six months to process pictures while others quickly edit your pictures in a few weeks.

Once you have a list of a few potential photographers you will need to schedule appointment with each of them. Even for a short portrait session it is important to work with someone you can be comfortable with. While meeting with them make sure to ask to look at an entire photo shoot. Most photographers will have a few amazing shots in an hour-long photo session. Their online galleries will therefore look fantastic. To see if they really have mettle look to see how many great pictures they have in a photo session.

Also, look for a wide variety of poses that are unique and interesting to you. Also make sure to consider if the photographer allows wardrobe changes, multiple locations or if they have an assistant.

Most important perhaps is to ask for personal referrals to make sure that the photographers are punctual, professional and deliver on their promises.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask the photographer as many questions as you can think of – what types of pictures do you think will best suit your figure and face, what backgrounds they are thinking of and how long they expect they will need to shoot you.