How to Hire an Event Photographer

Do you have an upcoming event that you want to remember? Despite ever-increasing user-friendly cameras, you still shouldn't have to worry about capturing that perfect moment. If you hire an event photographer, you can guarantee dozens of quality photos of the event and at a better rate than you might first imagine.

It pretty much goes without saying that the most common time to hire an event photographer is for weddings. This event is an industry onto itself, and if you're looking for a photographer for an upcoming wedding, we suggest you check out this information (link: wedding photographer article). For other event photography services, here's the point-and-click version of what you need to know:

Event Photography Services: A List of Ideas and Options
So, other than weddings, just what events make for good candidates to hire a professional photographer? Well, you can hire an event photographer for virtually anything from the birth of your pet snake to the debut of your garage band, but the following events are the most common and the hold the greatest potential rewards for your personal photo collection:

• Birthdays and Holidays: Other than weddings, these events are probably the most popular for event photography services.. Sweet Sixteens are especially high on the list within this category, but it's far from the only occasion. For many families, Christmas is one of the only reliable times to get the entire family together. Family portraits are an important piece of any family legacy, and you shouldn't have to put the camera on a 5-second timer and rush job to make it happen. Besides, the picture of Uncle Tim or Grandpa Joe snoring, mouth agape, after the turkey dinner is another instant classic.

• Sporting Events: One of the fastest growing opportunities to hire an event photographer. As a parent, you can't rely on the photojournalist from the local newspaper to catch your son or daughter making a 50-yard reception just before halftime or making a three-point jump shot at the buzzer. You probably shouldn't rely on your photography skills, either. Nor should you have to: By hiring an event photographer, you can fully enjoy your kids' sporting events and still have an eternal reminder of the day for your scrapbook.

  Religious Ceremonies: There are dozens of relatively common religious ceremonies that might make use of event photography services: Christian confirmations, dedications, and baptisms, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, other coming-of-age rituals, and several other religious ceremonies. Of course, photo-ops may be limited in a church or other places of worship where flash and click photography are viewed as disrespectful. This is one of the reasons most families often host a reception following the ceremony, but don't let people dress down until the photographer has an opportunity to take a first round of photos.

Hiring an Event Photographer: Fees and Rates
It's impossible to give a reasonable estimate for event photography services. The number of variables is just too great: how many hours the event will take, travel time for the photographer, amount of experience in photography, local competition, whether you want a CD/DVD or touched-up print photography, and degree of difficulty in composition, lighting, and dealing with friends and family. That said, you might be able to find an amateur photographer or professional newbie who will do your event for as little as $100/hour or $500/hour or more. Obviously, you want to look for someone who has the experience and professionalism to handle your event without a hitch or undue stress. Keep in mind that the best photographer for your family birthday party may not be the best photographer for your Friday night high school football game.

Build a Relationship with Your Event Photographer
For intimate events and family gatherings, one big drawback to hiring an event photographer is having a somewhat unfamiliar person present at the event. Even the most professional see-but-don't-be-seen photographer may make certain family members feel more inhibited than usual. By hiring the same event photographer for multiple events you can reduce this drawback and, possibly, negotiate discounts for future events. Many photographers give discounts to repeat clients. Indeed, the photographer may appreciate working with a familiar and friendly client as much as you appreciate working with him or her.