Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Product Photographer
What questions should you ask before hiring a product photographer?
Congratulations! If you are reading this, most likely you are on the search to hire a product photographer. We have both good news and bad news for you.
The good news: There are many product photographers out there to choose from!
The bad news: There are many product photographers out there to choose from!
With that being said, how are you supposed to choose one? As with anyone you would hire, there are always questions to ask. And to make your life much easier, here are several key questions that will help you hire a product photographer that is best suited for your needs.
Questions to Ask a Product Photographer:
What kind of product photography do you specialize in? Even product photography has its own categories. Find out what the product photographer specializes in when it comes to product photography. Do they photograph products in a commercial-style look? Do they do lifestyle product photography? And what types of products do they photograph? Health and wellness? Food & drink? Clothing? There are so many different categories. Although not necessary, you probably want someone who has had a lot of experience photographing your type of product.
Do you use artificial or natural light? Both? This may not seem to matter to you, but a product photographer who is well-versed in artificial light is going to be more of an asset to you than a natural light photographer. The reason being is because a photographer who knows how to use natural light has more room for creativity and can work under any type of lighting conditions despite what the weather is outside. A natural light photographer depends on the weather, and a rainy day can ruin all photo shoot plans. Make sure that the photographer knows how to use artificial light.
Do you charge per image or per hour? Depending on what your budget is, this can be an important question. Some product photographers charge per image, while some charge per hour and deliver a set average number of images per hour. Another scenario would be a product photographer offering set packages and rates. Make sure you ask what your product photographer of interest offers.
What is the process of working with you like? Every product photographer has a different process when it comes to working with their clients and creating the images. Does the photographer hop on a phone call with you to discuss your vision? Does the photographer send you a questionnaire? How long is the entire process?
Are props included in your prices? This varies from product photographer to product photographer, so make sure to ask what is included in their pricing. The cost of props can add up quickly, so don’t be surprised if props are not included in the price of the photo shoot.