How to find a Family Photographer you'll love!

There are a lot of us out there....Family Photographers! It's pretty overwhelming trying to figure out who to choose. You will be spending your hard earned money for a boutique family photographer and you want to be more than happy with your experience and portraits. Here is a guide of how to determine which photographer is best for you and your family.
1) Do you like their style?
Photography is an art. Each photographer sees the world in a different way and has their own style. Some are more traditional with a studio where people are looking directly at the camera, others are lifestyle photographers that focus on connections in a family, and then there are some photographers that do a little bit of everything. Before you choose a photographer make sure you check out their work. Look at their website, Facebook, Instagram, and email them to ask for some recent work, since not all photographers have time to continuously update their website portfolio.
2) Are they available?
Photographers that are well-known typically book up quickly, especially April-November. Start searching for a photographer at least a few months before you actually need them, especially for newborn sessions. If you need a photographer last minute you will find one, but it may not be the one you absolutely love. You want to find one that will be your official family photographer for years to come!
3) Do you like their personality?
Choosing a family photographer is like choosing a friend. Someone who will be there when you need them, make you laugh, help you feel comfortable in stressful situations (aka the photo shoot), and someone who develops a relationship with you and your family. You need to like their personality, otherwise you and your family will look stiff and uncomfortable in front of the camera and it will show in the final product. You can get a feel for their personality by checking out their Facebook page, Instagram, and website. But meeting them in person is an even better way to figure out if they're a good fit. Most photographers are happy to meet you in person first so they can show you their work and get a sense of what you are looking for. 
4) Are they experienced?
You should ask any photographer you use how long they have been a photographer and worked with families or children. Just like any profession, the photographers who have more experience will typically be able to provide you with a professional product and give you what you really want. Experience is not everything, but they should at least have a decent amount of different clients in their portfolio!


If you have anything you'd like to add to this list or have any questions please comment below or email me at photographybylarisa@gmail.com. Good luck in your search and I hope you find your ideal family photographer, even if it's not me! :)