Photography: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What photography is

A photographer shoots, edits and delivers images for personal or business needs, planning light, locations and poses to meet your goals. People hire one when they want good photos they cannot take well themselves, such as a family record, a business image or a special event.

Signs you need it

  • You want images that show a specific person, product or place more clearly than a phone photo can
  • You need photos for a business, a website, a family record or a milestone
  • You want someone to plan the lighting, location and poses for you
  • You want edited, consistent images rather than a pile of unedited shots
  • You need photos delivered in files or prints that match a specific use
  • You want a photographer who can plan the shoot around your schedule and location

What the pro does

  • Asks about the goal of the photos, where they will be used and who is in them
  • Plans the lighting, location, wardrobe notes and shot list with you
  • Arrives early to scout the light and set up equipment
  • Shoots the session, guiding poses and expressions as you go
  • Culls the shots, edits the selected images and checks color and crop
  • Delivers the final files or prints in the formats you agreed on

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the session and the amount of time spent on location
  • Number of final images delivered and the editing level for each
  • Whether the shoot happens in a studio, at a home, outdoors or at a business
  • Travel distance and any travel time to a remote location
  • Number of people in the photos and the complexity of the setup
  • Whether prints, albums, frames or a digital gallery are included
  • Whether the photographer must supply lighting, props or backdrops

What a written quote should spell out

  • Session length, location and the time of day planned
  • Number of final edited images delivered
  • Delivery format, such as digital files, prints or a web gallery, and the delivery date
  • Usage rights, such as whether you can share the images online or use them in print
  • Retouching level and whether it is included per image or per session
  • What happens if the session must be moved because of weather or illness

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What will you deliver, and in what file sizes and formats?
  • How many edited images will I receive from the session?
  • Who owns the rights to the images, and can I share them online or print them?
  • What is your backup plan if the weather changes or you are sick on the day?
  • Can I see a full gallery from a session like mine?
  • How do you plan lighting and locations for a session like this?
  • Do you carry liability insurance that covers you and your equipment?

Red flags

  • They show only a few heavily edited images and no full galleries
  • They do not explain who owns the photos or how you can use them
  • They cannot describe the session plan or how they will light the shoot
  • They ask for full payment before you have agreed on the deliverables
  • They will not confirm the delivery date or the file formats in writing

What you can do yourself

You can clear a space for the shoot, choose clothes that fit the look you want and gather a short list of photos you like. You can also check the weather and the light at the time you plan to shoot. Hire a photographer for the lighting, the posing and the editing, since photos that look natural and consistent take training and the right equipment.

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for photography, so ask for proof of liability insurance and a portfolio instead. Some public locations, parks and businesses have their own rules for commercial shoots, so check local permit rules with your state or local licensing agency before you book a location.

Photography questions

Does a photographer need a license?

Usually not a state license. Ask for insurance, a portfolio and a clear contract that covers usage rights and delivery.

How long does it take to get the photos?

It depends on the number of images and the editing. Ask the photographer for a delivery date in writing before you book.

Can I use the photos on social media?

It depends on the usage rights in your contract. Ask the photographer what you can share and whether a business use needs a separate agreement.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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