I once had the unfortunate luck of shooting with a client who should have hired another photographer. 😥
I’ll explain in a moment, but first, here’s what I’ve learned over the years both as a consumer and as a business owner.
When you hire someone to do something for you — an artist, a skilled worker, a service provider — what they do is what you get.
Dana DaRuyck: HIpster / Intern / Detective
Dorian Antonacci: Edgy Tech / BBQ Dad
Let me explain.
I used to have a hairstylist who used a technique called wet point cutting. After he moved away, I looked high and low for someone who used the same technique because I loved the result so much. 🥰
I met many stylists I liked, but each of them used a different technique to cut hair.
And every time I would ask them to cut my hair using the wet point technique, I wasn’t happy with the result… because wet-point cutting was not their specialty. They didn’t have practice doing it so they couldn’t do it well.
On the next visit, if I let them cut my hair using their own technique, I was happy, even though it was different than what I wanted.
LS-21: Upscale Business / Upscale Socialite / Edgy
I’M NOW OLDER AND WISER.
I realize that if a service provider doesn’t do something the way I like it done, they can’t do it my way well— but how they do it is going to be great because it’s what they do! ✅
If you’re looking for a photographer and find one you like, before you book with that photographer, make sure their shooting style is truly what you’re after.
For example, if you like
Dana Patrick’s work because of her exceptional ability to bring out the beauty in everyone, don’t ask Dana to give you quirky images. It’s not her jam AND she doesn’t have practice doing quirky images over and over again so
you probably won’t like the results.
And if you like my work because everyone in my portfolio looks animated, don’t expect me to make you look like a supermodel because it’s not what I do day in and day out. I can’t do it well.
What I do is what you get. 💁♀️ I create headshots for character actors who don’t like to pose.
Amber Boone: Hip Urban / Frida Hernandez: Athletic
Elliot Woods: Doctor/Upscale Business -Lawyer – Politician
The girl who hired me, but should have hired another photographer essentially wanted beauty shots.
I bring out personality in actors, that’s my forte, not posed model-like stares.
I knew I was in trouble when she showed me samples of beauty shots she liked (which were not from my portfolio) that she wanted me to emulate!
I was left scratching my head wondering why she hired me in the first place.
I did my best and hoped🤞🏻 she walked away happy.
If you’re looking for a specific style from your next headshot session, take a moment to revisit the photographer’s work and see if you have realistic expectations from that photographer.
Is their style exactly how you plan to market yourself, or are you choosing them based on price or a referral, but hoping for results outside of their specialty?
Hopefully, this article will help you choose who you hire wisely!
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