Your Guide to Booking Your Photographer

This may be your first time booking a professional photographer. Whether you’re still shopping for your photographer or you’ve found your fit, it is important to know the process of booking and what to expect along the way.  Each professional photographer works a little differently, but overall, the process should be similar. I’ll highlight what you can expect when booking a photographer for your event, wedding, or portraits.

San Ramon Wedding Photographer

1. Window Shop

When looking to book a photographer, it is important to see examples of the types of shots you will be getting. This should be readily available in the photographer’s portfolio, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, it never hurts to ask! This way you know what to expect in terms of the photographer’s style, quality, and an idea of what you be receiving.

2. Get a Quote

Once you find someone you like, send them an email with the date, time, location, and type of session you are interested in. This will help speed up the process with them checking their availability and get back to you with a quote as efficiently as possible. 

3. Meet Your Photographer

If you are booking a photographer for your wedding, it is important to get to know them at a consultation prior to your big day. You and your new spouse, after all, will be spending the most important day of your life with them too! During this consultation you can run through your schedule for your day and let them know any important details. This is the best time to ask any questions you may have. They will go through what is included in their packages and help you find the best fit for you.

4. Secure Your Date

When you’re ready to book, you will then want to secure your date. This will be done by first completing a contract with the photographer and submitting your deposit. The contract will outline everything that is included in your package, the photographer’s policies, and everything else you will need to know from editing times, to how you will receive your images. The contract will also give you instructions on how to send payment to your photographer. The purpose of the deposit or date reservation fee, is to ensure that you photographer blocks your date out on their calendar and make sure that they do not book anyone else for your wedding date or portrait session time. 

5. Enjoy Your Session

On your big day, you will have gotten to know your photographer, feel comfortable, and trust that they will capture those special memories for you. Now is the time to let go, have fun, and enjoy every moment of your special day. 

5 Things You Should Know Before Your Session

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When it comes to portrait sessions, whether it be your engagement session or your family portraits, it is my job to make sure you are comfortable and at ease for your photos. There are a few things that can help make your session a smooth experience for both you and your photographer. Here are some general tips for getting the most out of your professional portrait session.

  1. Talk to your photographer

    • The most important thing between you and your photographer is communication. Letting your photographer know your vision for your photos will help make that vision come to life. If you have a preferred color scheme, feel, or even a photo that inspires you, please tell me! This way I can do my best to exceed your expectations when your photo session comes around. 

  2. Ask away!

    • There are never too many questions you can ask before your session. I am all ears when it comes to giving suggestions for what you should wear, location ideas, or the best time for photos. It is important that you go into your portrait session comfortable and that you know what to expect. 
  3. Bring your own props for a personal touch.
    • If there is something that shows your interests or personality, bring it to the shoot! This shoot is for you and if there is something you want to remember, why not have it in some of your photos!
  4. Stay Simple.
    • Whether this is a personal portrait session or a family shoot, what you wear plays a big role in how the photos come out. Stick with soft, neutral tones and avoid bold patterns. This way we can try different backgrounds and your outfit will be more versatile. If there are multiple people in the photos, subtle matching colors or similar tones in parts of your outfits can come out great! If you have any questions, again, feel free to send some photos of your ideas my way!
  5. If you need direction, let me know.
    • Having a camera pointed at you might be intimidating to some. If you feel this way, let me know so I can pose you accordingly to help you loosen up and relax at your session. With that being said, sometimes the best photos are candid. I will direct you, of course, but don't feel like you always need to be posing.

You will be looking at these photos 10 years from now and my goal is for you to love them then as much as you do now. Remember to have fun and don't take it too seriously. A relaxed you, is the best you for photos. 

Why I Call Myself a Professional Photographer

Everyone is a photographer these days. With today’s smart phone camera quality, anyone can get an amazing photo. But at what point did I call myself a professional?

Photo by: Zaina Mahmoud

Photo by: Zaina Mahmoud

We all start somewhere. Photography above all starts with a true passion - a passion to capture our most special moments or a passion to transform an ordinary day into an extraordinary memory. To be able to turn this passion into a business takes a tremendous amount of determination and drive as well as the hunger to constantly improve and broaden your skill set.

It takes time. This time meant researching techniques, photography classes, playing around in Photoshop or Lightroom, but most of all getting out there and shooting. I Photographed anything I could and got comfortable with my camera, different lighting situations, and various subjects. Nobody’s photos become perfect overnight. I started with the basics.  I Learned about different camera options, and what different shutter speeds, aperture, and ISO did to my images. Even photographers who have been in the business for over 10 years will tell you they are constantly learning new things.

Something I had to learn and what I will tell anyone who is trying to get into the business is: Be in love with your own work. I built up a great portfolio. I got opinions from friends and family on where I could improve and what they liked about my photos. When I got “wows” is when I felt I was getting somewhere. The most important “wow” however, needed to come from myself.  This is when true value came to my work. Once I felt confident enough with my work that clients could expect high quality images from a session is when I felt I was at the right stage to turn my passion into a full fledged business.