Many people seeking a photographer get caught up with the end product and artistry of great images, and while that is what will ultimately hang on your walls or grace the cover of your holiday card, the entire experience deserves to be a good one. Some photographers have day jobs, and their work flows might reflect that. Knowing what to expect throughout the entire process will help ease your mind from the start. Some photographers excel at providing a great experience with amazing results, but the business aspects of the process leave a client frustrated and concerned. When admiring a friends' photos, find out how the entire experience was: from start to finish.

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There are three elements a professional photographer will balance. Consider it a recipe: you need equal parts of each to consider your choice a success. 

The experience: During the shoot your photographer should have you relaxed and the kids engaged. She should be patient and considerate. She should also be professional and keep her own footprint at your event to a minimum.

The business: Your proofs and products should be delivered when and how promised. 

The product: The skill and knowledge of the photographer should be reflected in stylish, well-composed images.

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Once you've got some names of photographers and you're narrowing your choices, think about these next four points.

#1- Look online. When friends give you recommendations, spend a few minutes looking through a photographer's website. Don't expect a studio photographer to be able to handle an outdoor gig and vice versa, unless they showcase that fluidity. Once you find a photographer whose style matches the desired look, look closer: Do you like what the photographer is saying in the text portions of their site? Is the site active with recent blog posts?  

#2- Consider pricing. The photographer should give you pricing options up front. Does their menu offer what you want at the end of your experience? Feel welcome to ask specifically for pricing on a particular item, even if isn't on their menu. Many photographers have access to more products that aren't the "top" sellers. Some photographers will not stray from their selected products. It's good to know that up front. Likewise, while engaging with your photographer, note response times and courtesy.

#3- Depending on the size of your investment, interview the photographer. If you're planning to spend thousands of dollars, absolutely meet your photographer face to face. If you're going to spend a few hours on a very significant day with this person, be sure you click. If you're having family portraits for an hour, you might not wish to spend more time on the project, but you can make phone calls to assess the photographer's response to your ideas and suggestions. Does the photographer make you feel comfortable? 

#4- Once you're in the process of locking-in with a photographer, review documents provided. What are your photographer's expectations of you? What can you expect from your photographer? When will proofs become available? How many proofs will there be? Will they be retouched? What protections does the photographer grant you? How does the photographer protect herself?

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On photo day, trust your photographer to make you look good. Hopefully you're relaxed and enjoying the process, even if Timmy is chewing his shoe. Allow your photographer to orchestrate the session within the specified parameters. Each photographer has their own style and experience. The changing variable at every shoot is the subject. So, understand that your photog has a general idea of how things should work, and believe in that process.

I hope that by charting out a few key points in what to look for, your research pays off and experience with a photographer is painless and your results priceless.