There comes a time in everyone's life when you need a professional photographer.  Whether you are getting married, having a baby, or in need of a professional business photo.  There are so many "photographers" out there, how will you know how to choose?  Here are some things to look for.

EXPERIENCE:  You can't beat experience when it comes to photography!  There is more to it than just picking up a camera and shooting.  It takes years of practice and training to perfect the art.  A photographer with true experience can evaluate almost any scenario and produce good images with proper exposure and lighting.  It takes experience to be able to take a less than perfect situation and get great shots from it.

EQUIPMENT:  Technology is constantly changing.  A professional uses state of the art equipment and knows how to use it.  They can manipulate focal length, depth of field, shutter speed and aperture to get the best results. Whether in the studio or outdoors, a professional will add just the right amount of light to enhance the scene and compliment the subject.

ARTISTIC VISION:  Bringing an artistic eye to the session is what you get when you hire a professional.  Your story is told through unique works of art brought to life by your photographer.  Attention to detail in not only the subject, but the background, composition, light, pose and depth of field is what a true professional looks for. Memorable images, not just snapshots, are the end result.

EDUCATION:  A professional photographer has studied photography.  They have spent countless hours in the classroom as well as in the field.  Knowledge in how to work the equipment as well as post processing and printing are qualities a real professional brings to the craft.

WEBSITE:  An official webpage and not just a social media page is something else to look for in a photographer.  A website that showcases their work and gives you important information is essential.  You, as the client, need to see if the photographer you are interested in has the style and technical skills you are looking for.  Your photographer should be easy to contact whether by phone or email.  The website should also tell you about the person you are thinking of hiring.

COMMUNICATION:  Has the person you are hiring talked with you about what to expect?  A professional will set up a consultation with you about your session either in person or on the phone.  They will listen to what you are looking for and make helpful suggestions to achieve this goal.  This way on picture day there is no stress!  You will know ahead of time the approximate cost and the print options available.

To sum it up, you get what you pay for.  If you want professional high quality portraits that will have lasting value for years to come, you need to hire a professional. You need someone who not only owns a nice camera, but knows how to use it and who can bring an artistic vision to your portrait.