Hiring A Photographer for Life
Finding your perfect wedding photographer is certainly important, but finding your photographer for life? Priceless.
Let me explain. Being a wedding photographer means that my relationship with my clients can sometimes have a short life span. Some clients might be flying to Oregon just for their destination wedding. Our relationship is about the length of our planning phone calls, the big day (of course), and then the excitement around sending the photo gallery.
Other clients, though, have decided to keep me on as their photographer for life, meaning I’m there long after the wedding to document other big life moments.
It might start with an engagement or couples session, which act as great, low-investment tests to make sure that we vibe. Other times, it’s straight to the big day and I meet them as their wedding photographer! But then, what comes next? Buying a house? Maybe having a baby (or two…three…?!). Maybe it’s celebrating an anniversary or just a big life change!
There are a ton of reasons to hire a photographer for life.
Let me tell you a few:
We freakin’ love you!
Maybe it sounds dramatic, but it’s true.
The whole driving force behind this job is how much I adore my clients. Being a part of your big day is what makes being a wedding photographer so rewarding, which means being invited back to document your life after your wedding day is a huge honor. I‘ve photographed so many of my clients as they step into new roles in their lives and it never gets old.
Inevitably over the course of a session — no matter if it’s a couple’s, kid’s, or wedding session — we build a bond that transcends just the event we’re photographing. We develop rapport, and that comes through in the photos we produce! It’s part of what defines a documentary-style photographer.
Preserving your memories is our job.
It’s not always about the big moments. Sometimes the simplest things are worth documenting. Sure, having your first kiddo, buying your first home, or celebrating your first anniversary are all “big“ moments, but they don’t always get the same hype as a wedding day does. Personally, I think that’s bullsh*t.
Some of my favorite memories include sitting on the couch with family, looking at old photos, exchanging stories, and chatting about the nostalgia of it all. Of course, I love my parent’s and grandparent’s wedding photos, but my real favorites are the ones of my dad as a kiddo, riding a bike, or getting his first car. Having tangible photographs is a fantastic way to hold on to your past and let those fun stories get shared later. Don’t even get me started on having a physical photo in a beautifully bound album.
Now I’m sure you’re thinking “I have an iPhone I can just document these things myself” but not so fast. Hiring your photographer for life means hiring someone who knows your best angles, knows your favorite shots, and most importantly, can capture allllll of you in the image (and not just the angle of one person photographing another). Not only that but, as you know, a professional will always deliver a higher quality than just a quick cell phone snap. Preserving your memories is our job, and we really love it.
Stay comfortable.
Remember how awkward you felt the first time you were professionally photographed? Or are you just kinda camera-shy?
Now think about the times you’re out and about with your friends, and one of them pulls a camera up to snap a photo. You’re far more likely to show your genuine self, whether that be a meek smile or a full tongue-out, peace-sign-up pose.
Hiring your photographer for life means you get to skip the awkward “getting to know” each other part. If you’ve already been photographed for your engagement session, your wedding feels a lot more comfortable. The same can be said about photo sessions post-wedding! If you hire your photographer for life, you get the same level of comfort through and through. It’s like putting down an emotional deposit for your future photo sessions.
This makes an especially big difference if you’re ever hiring someone to come to your home! A lot of my maternity, family, and new homeowner sessions take place, well, at home.
Hiring your favorite photographer time and time again means it’s basically like inviting a buddy over to document you (instead of an awkward stranger).
get the quality you know and love
I said it before and I’ll say it again: if you love your wedding photos, if you love your engagement photos, it’s worth every penny to hire your photographer for life.
You already know your photographer to deliver stunning high-quality images. You already love their editing style, and how they photograph. Hiring your photographer for life is a fantastic way to support the photographer whose work you know and love, and to trust that every time they photograph you + your family the results will be amazing.
Because, of course, you can always see a photographer’s portfolio on their website. But, there is always inevitably a risk that the vibes won’t quite be there. By hiring a photographer for life, you know that we’ve already passed that test and you can rest easy knowing that the quality you get is the same quality you’ll get with future sessions.
I take pride in being a photographer for life with some of my clients.
It’s an incredible feeling being a part of their families and watching them grow, change, and learn! It’s such an honor to go along life with my clients — dare I say friends — as they continue to go across this crazy thing called life.
