studio95photographix Hiring a Photographer

Gregory Geiger on Hiring a Photographer

"I'm a photographer!", is just about what everyone that owns a digital camera and iPhone are calling themselves today.

On selecting a photographer, the most important part of selecting a photographer, to check references with at least 3 previous clients of that photographer. Confirm the photographs that you are being shown were actually taken by that photographer. Looking at photos on a tablet could mean they were "borrowed" from another website... You want to see the actual work created by that photographer, not what they think they could do.

2. look for a resume or "about me" page. If the sentence starts out, "I have a passion for photography...", that is good. Now what about knowledge and experience? Have any of those? Training and continuing education? Do they do those? You might be passionate about food, does that make you a chef? Or passionate about clothing, are you a fashion designer or stylist? Just because you are passionate about something, doesn't make you good at it. If you are going to pay for professional services, expect to get a photographer that has prior experience with the work you want to create. A good wedding photographer doesn't have the knowledge to shoot product (hair, make-up, model, food or fashion), nor are they experienced to do photography in a studio with multiple strobes. Lastly, if someone says they have "photographed hundreds and hundreds of weddings", really? Most weddings are on weekends, at 52 weeks in a year even at 3 weddings a weekend (which would be impossible to book and photograph in a calendar year) that's 156 jobs in one year.... Most photographers are lucky to get 40 bookings in a year. That means a very, very good photographer will take a minimum of 5 years to get "hundreds and hundreds".

3. Portfolio: the largest amount of photos in a portfolio that you see is what that photographer is best at. The DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras have so many micro-processors in them that if you turn it on, put the dial to "P" and give the camera a chance to focus, you will get a photo. That doesn't mean it's good, but it is a photo. I've seen lots of portfolio photos that were taken outside, that's a great look. Now if you are in any New England state, are you really going to schedule a product shoot during the winter months, how about a hair shoot during the hot, muggy summer months? I'm a photographer that has a studio, I have the knowledge and experience to work outside as well as in a studio.

4. Good vs Bad: remember the saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"? That sounds great, however, does the photos that are being produced for you or shown in the portfolio really show your product or service? I've seen photos of a model on a hair salon website where she had the sun behind her, giving a nice warm glowing feeling. There was no detail in the photo, you couldn't see any color, texture or styling. In another photo shoot the model was up against a white wall, the photographer had the flash on the top of the camera, it produced "red-eye" and a hard shadow right behind the model. If you look at magazines that are produced for your industry, I would bet you don't see photos where the model is against a wall. If you are going to hire a photographer, tear pages from the magazines of the work you like. Look at those pages, compare them to the portfolio work of the prospective photographer.

5. Get everything in writing! There is no detail to small not to have covered. Things like: models, who selects? What happens when the model no-shows? Is there a penalty charge for the set-up by the photographer? I have seen at a past job where the model was the daughter of a friend, her photos had no life and sparkle in them, she just looked dead. The salon owner wanted to reshoot with a new model, citing the photos didn't have the impact to show the work. True, but the photographer wasn't responsible for the model, the photography was good and he didn't select the model, so a reshoot was at the full quoted price. "Not fair" says the salon owner, "the photos look terrible!" Yes, they do, because of the model you selected....
This is a good time to ask the photographer about their equipment: how many cameras? camera batteries? lenses? flash heads? memory chips? tripod? (yes! Just about ALL the high-end magazine photographers use them!)

6. Make a plan and set your budget: write out all your expenses, include the time you will be doing the work for the photography; will you need: props, accessories, product, clothing, a background, travel costs, food and staffing costs. Next write up a schedule for the production. Successful photo shoots have a very detailed schedule. Including who is responsible for what parts of the planning, preparation and delivery the day of the shoot. This is important if one person becomes sick, has a family emergency or leaves to take a new job. You should have a back-up for just about everything: model, clothing, accessories, and location. Why? Just look at the expenses that it cost to put this together! Remember that question about the number of cameras? If that camera malfunctions (and they do, they are mechanical) the aspiring photographer usually only owns one camera. All your time and expenses are gone as a result of no second camera.

Let me finish with, "is photography expensive?", I say, "no, it's priceless!". One great photo, seen by thousands, can create a huge increase in your business. Great product photos just don't happen, they take planning with an experienced photographer. Just as you wouldn't hire a cook from Mc Donald's to cater your daughter's wedding, why would you hire an aspiring photographer who is passionate about photography to create your corporate marketing and promotion photos?

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For your clients, their appearance is everything! You know how fast styles changes, trends are forecast, published in magazines and you need to show your talents in cutting and styling to the latest hair fashions. This is vital to the best leading salons! If you are the cutting edge stylist, a genius colorist, the salon marketing manager or creative owner, and you want an experienced photographer that understands hair photography, you want G. Gregory Geiger! Gregory knows how to work with you to take your vision from storyboard to the finished poster prints.

Why Gregory for you marketing and competition hair photography?
The simple reason, "he gets the hair"!
Gregory has 25+ years of experience as a photographer, just like every other profession, it's the experience that gets the best results. Also, Gregory has a studio with 12' tall ceiling that allow for more creative lighting; with 10 flash heads, 14 different soft-boxes, and 25 different paper backgrounds. Photography, as in hair styling, needs creative experience and the tools to bring the vision to life. It's having the tools that help to make the shoot a total success.*

G. Gregory Geiger (G3) is both a Certified Professional Photographer and has the degree of Photographic Craftsman from the Professional Photographers of America, Inc. As of May 2013 he begins his 43rd year as a photographer, with training in 16mm film, TV studio, video-tape, live video, helicopter TV news, 20 years as a nationally published wedding photographer and now a commercial photographer, you will find him very experienced, professional and very easy to work with. G3 has earned 2 Kodak Gallery Awards, a Fuji Master Piece award and a regional Emmy. In 2012 Gregory took First Place in the Paul Mitchell Systems "Top Stylist Competition", plus two of his photography entries had 4th Place finishes. However, his attitude is, "I'm only as good as my last photo-shoot, if it wasn't award-winning caliber, I have not done my very best for you."
When it's time to book a great hair photographer, book Gregory, he will get you the great results!

*****

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Questions to ask before you hire a hair photographer:

Some details you should ask and know about, before you hire a photographer to do a photo shoot. The Golden Rule, "he who has the Gold, makes the Rules", in this case, if you pay the photographer, you control the use of the photos. Don't EVER agree to a TF (Trade For) photo-shoot. Now the photographer solely controls the photos, he/she can ship off the files to magazines that would consider publishing them, the catch, there can be a 6 month hold or embargo on the photos while the magazine considers their editorial needs. At the end of the 6 months, if that magazine elects not to use them, you get photos that are 6 months old.

What are your rates and what is included for that rate? Get this in writing, save and print any e-mails.
For this job is the quote for the project or by the hour? If by the hour, what is the overtime rate?
How many looks does it include? Who supplies props?
Will the shoot be digital or on film or both? Film is rare, but there are a few still using film cameras.
How many photos do I get to see?
Do I get a CD of photos or do I get to see the photos from film? When can I expect to receive them?
Do I get any prints and/or enlargements? What are your charges for these?
Does this fee include any pre-production meetings?
Will this fee include any photo-retouching? What is your retouching charge? Will you retouch to my requirements?
Does the price include having reproduction rights of the picture? Can I have your images re-edited by another graphics person?
Will the shoot be in color or black & white or both? Will you convert to B&W the photos I request?
Will the looks include shots in studio or out on location?
Do you have a portfolio or website that I can view your work?
May I see a copy of your Photo/Modeling Release?

Find A Photographer

Start with a Google search on "Hair Photographer" in your state.
There will be a website, carefully read all the content, look at the photos.
Are the photos competition or magazine quality?
Do you feel the photographer understands doing hair photography or is this person a camera owner that has a few good hair pictures?
You will pay for experience, expensive cameras don't make a great photographer, being passionate about photography isn't a substitute for experience. Only having years of daily photography assignments gives experience. You will be investing many hours of planning, finding a model, picking the right clothing and accessories, doing the color, cut and styling and the time for the photo shoot to hear, "opps, my camera battery died, I don't have a spare".
Make a list of questions you need answered, contact the photographer to either ask to cover your list or if they will take the time to write out answers to all your questions.
Meeting the photographer if possible. This is a serious project for you, ask to meet the photographer. What is their personality like? We have all seen brilliant hair stylists that are sadly lacking in people skills; the same with photographers. You need someone that is a pleasure to work with, doesn't get up-set when things go wrong, off schedule and run late.
Get a copy of the Release. Carefully read it, ask questions. If needed, ask for changes and you are allowed to create your own Usage & Licensing Agreement for the photographer to sign.
Where will the shoot take place: as I am a studio owner, I will always suggest in the photo studio. The studio gives the photographer more control of the photo session. Changing backgrounds, props, lighting all go to make that perfect shoot. Do the work at your salon, get in the car and drive to the studio or do a practice, prep session at your studio and the next day do the actual styling at the studio. I can always bring most of the needed equipment to your salon. It's the one accessory that I don't bring and wish I had that gets left at the studio, that is the piece of equipment that would make the photo so much better!
Insurance: does the photographer have insurance? If they bring a light into your salon and it gets knocked over damaging a station, will their insurance cover the repair? Or they run a power cord across the floor, the model trips and is hurt in the fall, will their insurance cover the injury or worse the reshoot?
Check references. Get at least 3 positive references.