Finding A Photographer: 27 Thorough Questions »read More

When it comes to finding a photographer for your family’s special moments, it can be overwhelming. There are so many considerations to keep in mind – budget, style, skill, and more. How can you possibly go about finding the perfect photographer for your family?

Table of Contents

The good news is that you don’t have to rely solely on luck in finding a photographer you click with. We have compiled a list of 27 essential questions to ask yourself and potential photographers. These questions are designed to help narrow down your choices and make sure you identify the photographer that is best suited to your family’s needs. With these questions, you can take your time and really consider what each photographer brings to the table. From asking about their experience to discussing their rates, this list will help you get the most out of your search for a photographer.

Understanding Your Timeline and Budget

Understanding your timeline and budget are two of the most important elements to consider when finding a photographer, and you need to consider them before you start your photographer search. Decide when you need the photos to be taken and when you need them to be delivered. Decide how much you can afford to pay.

Once you have a timeline and budget in place, you can start looking for a photographer who best suits your needs. The good news is that the market is highly saturated with all types of photographers. You are sure to click with someone. Even if your budget is small, you may be able to identify an amateur or student who can help you out. If you have a shorter timeframe or specific needs, you may need to increase your budget a bit or travel further to someone you can afford.

Please don’t haggle with photographers. They are artists and are trying to make a living using their talents and skills. You need someone to respect your budget, timeline, and other needs. In return, show respect to the photographer by paying full price (and, after they finish the job, make sure to send them a testimonial if they did a wonderful job).

Finding a Photographer Online

In this modern age, the first place you should check for your ideal photographer is the World Wide Web. In all likelihood, that’s where you will find a photographer. There are services like Thumbtack that can help you in finding a photographer, as can asking your local mom’s Facebook group. Even if a friend recommends a professional through word of mouth, make sure to Google that person and see what you can find out online.

True pros will have a modern, easy-to-use website with examples of their work and plenty of details about their business. They should include pricing, a description of their editing process, and some information about their background. Ideally, they should also have an FAQ section and reviews. They may even highlight past awards, awards, accreditations, recognitions, and other credentials they may have earned. These are all great signs!

If you find a website that is old and clunky or contains very little information, this is a red flag. What’s worse is not finding anything at all, as there should be some proof of work on Facebook, Google Business, etc.

If you find a photographer with a legitimate website, really dive into their work examples and online portfolios. Pay close attention to the photos they have in their portfolio to get a good sense of whether they specialize in the type of photography you’re looking for. Check for photos that the photographer has taken within the last year or two to get an idea of their current style.

Note that style often includes two parts: the editing style and the shooting style.

The editing style refers to how the photographer treats the photo in post-production, like removing blemishes, altering colors, etc. Some photographers lightly touch up photos; some create artistic masterpieces in Photoshop. Some edit photos to have a light and airy feel, while others like a darker and moodier vibe. All editing styles are acceptable – it just depends on what you are looking for.
The shooting style refers to how the photographer takes the photos in the session. Does he or she pose everyone, or are they more interested in candid shots? Again, both ways are fine, but you should know ahead of time what to expect.

By taking the time to check the photographer’s website and portfolio, you can make a more informed decision when it comes to finding a photographer for your needs. With the proper research (and follow-up questions), you can find the perfect photographer to capture those special moments.

27 Questions for Finding A Photographer

In a perfect world, a photographer’s website will have all the information you need to make an informed decision. But that’s not always the case when it comes time to find a photographer who gets you and your desires. So never be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Let’s take a look at our top 27 questions to help you find a photographer:

How much input do I have as the client regarding posing, location, timing, wardrobe, etc.?
Can I send you examples and ideas of what I want?
What is your availability like?
How do I officially book your services?
Will you be the photographer working with us, or do you have a team of associates?
Do you have experience with kids?
How do you work with kids to get them to cooperate and enjoy the session?
Do you shoot outdoors or indoors? If outdoors, do you have locations to recommend?
Do you provide props?
Can you give me an idea of how the session will go (timing, amount of walking, access to restrooms, etc.)?
Can you send me any examples of your part work (ideally in the preferred photo shoot location)?
Do you pose us, or are the photos generally more candid?
Should we bring anything?
How should we prepare for the photo shoot?
Do you have a style guide to help us choose outfits for our images?
How many outfits should we prepare for the photo shoot, and will we have a space to change clothes?
Do you charge additional fees if we need to reschedule due to illness or weather?
How and when do we pay you?
How and when you can expect to see our final photos?
Do you offer prints, digital files, or both?
If you offer digital files, what type of file formats do you provide, and are the images high-resolution?
Are there any other fees or add-ons that I should be aware of?
How many final photos should we expect?
Can you describe your editing process, and can we request certain edits or touch-ups?
Will we be allowed to share our images on social media and print them ourselves without a watermark?
What is your favorite thing to capture during your photo shoots?
Will you use our images on your website or social media?

As you are doing your due diligence in finding a photographer, you may find that some of these questions are a bit redundant, but that’s okay. We’re confident that this list will get you all the answers you need to find the photographer of your dreams!

Don’t let the length of the list overwhelm you; instead, let these questions get your creative juices flowing and allow yourself to feel inspired and excited about the prospect of beautiful family pictures! You are sure to find a photographer you love whose vision matches yours! Aren’t you already getting excited to book your session and see your final images?

Finding a Photographer Who Will Stay True to You

When it comes to family pictures, remember that really the only thing that matters is that you are happy with the finished product. It’s important that you and your loved ones see these pictures on your walls and in your photo albums and feel joy as you recall fond memories.

Remember that in your search for finding a photographer. It doesn’t really matter what styles are trending or who has the most Instagram followers. Instead, focus on identifying the person with a style you like and who you can afford and enjoy spending time with. Ultimately, that’s what it comes down to. That is your perfect match when it comes to finding a photographer!

Stay true to what you like and commit to finding a photographer who is on board – that person is out there! So smile and start searching!

CONNECT WITH DAILY MOM

💖 NEWSLETTER: DAILY READS IN YOUR INBOX 💖

Sign up to receive our picks for the best things to do, see and buy so you can relax and focus on more important tasks! Let us help you be the best version of yourself you can be!

BE SOCIAL WITH US

📌 LOVE IT? PIN IT!📌

Why You Should Feng Shui Your Home

Ever stopped to ponder the invisible energies that shape the spaces we inhabit? Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice rooted in Taoist principles and offers profound insights into the interplay between energy, environment, and human experience.

Feng Shui, literally translated as “wind and water,” is far more than a mere arrangement of furniture or placement of décor. It’s a philosophy that embraces the fundamental interconnectedness of all things, seeking to harmonize our home with the natural forces that surround us. Rooted in millennia-old wisdom, Feng Shui offers a holistic approach to design and living that transcends cultural boundaries.

In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and chaos are often unchecked, the importance of creating harmonious living environments cannot be overstated. Feng Shui provides a roadmap for achieving balance and tranquility in our homes and workplaces. By understanding the subtle energies that flow through our spaces, we can profoundly transform every aspect of our lives.

Feng Shui Meaning: The Practice of Feng Shui

Feng Shui is an ancient art that traces its origins back to ancient Chinese philosophy, deeply intertwined with the culture and spirituality of the time, reflecting its Taoist roots and purpose of harmonizing with the natural world. Here’s a glimpse of the rich history and evolution of this ancient practice:

Ancient Origins in China

Feng Shui’s roots can be traced back over 3,000 years to the early civilizations of China, where it initially developed as a system to explain the natural world and its influence on human life.
Ancient Chinese philosophers, including Feng Shui experts Confucius and Lao Tzu, contributed to the foundational principles of Feng Shui, emphasizing the importance of living in harmony with nature and harnessing its energies for success and well-being.

Development and Evolution Over Thousands of Years

Over the centuries, Feng Shui evolved from a rudimentary system of geomancy into a sophisticated art form, encompassing principles of architecture, urban planning, and interior design.
Various dynasties in Chinese history, such as the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties, contributed to the refinement and codification of Feng Shui practices, shaping it into the comprehensive system we recognize today.

Cultural Significance and Integration into Daily Life

Feng Shui permeated every aspect of Chinese culture, from the design of imperial palaces to the layout of humble dwellings.
It was believed that adhering to Feng Shui principles could bring wealth, longevity, and good fortune while neglecting them could invite misfortune and disaster.
Today, Feng Shui continues to play a significant role in Chinese culture and society, influencing everything from architecture and city planning to business practices and personal relationships.

Basic Principles of Feng Shui

At the heart of Feng Shui lie several core principles captured in a few Chinese words that form the foundation of its practice. Understanding these principles is essential for creating a mindful and peaceful home:

Qi (Chi) – The Vital Energy Force

Qi, often referred to as the life force or vital energy and the cornerstone of Feng Shui philosophy, plays a crucial role in fostering positive energy into your life.
According to Feng Shui principles, Qi flows through everything in the universe, including our bodies, homes, and natural landscapes.
The goal of Feng Shui is to ensure the free and unobstructed flow of Qi through our environment, promoting health, wealth, and happiness.

Yin and Yang – Balance and Harmony

Yin and Yang are complementary forces that represent the dualities of nature, such as light and dark, hot and cold, and male and female.
In Feng Shui, achieving balance between these two energies is essential for creating harmonious environments.
Balancing Yin and Yang energies in our homes and workplaces fosters a sense of equilibrium and well-being, essentially bringing positive energy into our daily lives.

Five Elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

The Five Elements of Feng Shui, also known as the Five Phases, are fundamental building blocks of Feng Shui theory.
Each element in Feng Shui’s meaning is associated with specific qualities and attributes, such as growth (wood), transformation (fire), stability (earth), refinement (metal), and flow (water), contributing to the overall energy of a space.
Balancing the Five Elements in Feng Shui within our environments promotes harmony and enhances the flow of Qi.

Feng Shui Bagua Map – The Map of Energy Zones

The Bagua is a symbolic map used in Feng Shui to identify the energy centers, or gua, within a space.
Each gua corresponds with different areas of your life, such as health, wealth, relationships, and career.
By aligning our spaces with the Bagua map and activating the appropriate gua, we can optimize the flow of Qi and improve the energy of our lives.

Understanding Qi and Energy Flow

Central to the practice of Feng Shui is the concept of Qi, the vital energy force that flows through all living things and environments. Let’s explore the significance of Qi and its role in energy flow:

Definition of Qi and Its Importance in Feng Shui

Qi is the invisible energy that animates and sustains all life, influencing our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
In Feng Shui, the quality and flow of Qi within a space directly impacts its occupants, affecting their health, happiness, and abundance.
By optimizing the flow of Qi through strategic design and arrangement, Feng Shui aims to create environments that support and nourish the inhabitants.

How Energy Moves Through Spaces

Qi flows through our spaces in a dynamic and ever-changing manner, influenced by factors such as architectural design, furniture placement, colors and shapes, and environmental conditions.
Obstructions or blockages in the flow of Qi can lead to stagnation, imbalance, and disharmony within a space, manifesting as physical ailments, emotional unrest, or financial difficulties.
Through careful observation and analysis, Feng Shui practitioners seek to identify and address areas of energy stagnation or imbalance, restoring the natural flow of Qi and revitalizing the space.

Impact of Energy Movement on Health, Wealth, and Relationships

The quality of Qi within a space directly impacts various aspects of our lives, including our physical health, financial wellness, and interpersonal relationships.
A well-balanced and harmonious flow of Qi promotes vitality, abundance, and harmonious relationships, while disruptions or imbalances can lead to illness, financial struggles, or conflict.
By aligning our environment with the principles of Feng Shui and optimizing the flow of Qi, we can create environments that support our well-being and foster success in all areas of life.

The Role of Yin and Yang

In the practice of Feng Shui, achieving balance between Yin and Yang energies is essential for creating harmonious and auspicious living environments. Here is a brief overview of ways to incorporate this balance into your life:

Explanation of Yin and Yang Energies

Yin and Yang, concepts derived from Chinese philosophy, are two complementary forces that represent the dualities of nature, such as darkness and light, cold and hot, and stillness and movement, and are essential for bringing energy into balance.
Yin is associated with qualities such as receptivity, darkness, and introspection, while Yang represents activity, brightness, and outward expression.
In Feng Shui, balancing these two energies within a space is crucial for creating a harmonious environment that supports the well-being of its inhabitants.

Achieving Balance Between Yin and Yang

Achieving balance between these two energies involves ensuring that neither force dominates excessively within a space, thereby maintaining a positive flow of energy.
Too much Yin energy can lead to stagnation, lethargy, and emotional heaviness, while an excess of Yang energy can result in agitation, restlessness, and stress.
By integrating elements and design features that embody both qualities, such as soft curves and gentle lighting alongside angular shapes and vibrant colors, Feng Shui practitioners can create spaces that feel balanced and harmonious.

Practical Applications in Feng Shui

In Feng Shui practice, the principles of Yin and Yang are applied to various aspects of interior design and space planning.
For example, rooms with predominantly Yin energy, such as bedrooms or meditation spaces, may benefit from soft, soothing colors, plush textures, and gentle lighting to promote relaxation and restfulness.
Conversely, areas with a more Yang energy, such as a kitchen or home office, may benefit from brighter colors, dynamic shapes, and ample natural light to stimulate creativity and productivity.

The Bagua Map: Eight Areas

The Bagua map, a Feng Shui energy map, is a powerful tool to analyze and harmonize the flow of energy within a space. Let’s explore the fundamentals of the Bagua map and how it can be applied to enhance the energy of our living environments:

Introduction to the Bagua Map

The Bagua map is a symbolic energy map and representation of the eight fundamental aspects, or gua, of human life in the description of Feng Shui’s meaning.
Each gua corresponds to a specific area of life, such as wealth, health, relationships, and career, and is associated with a particular direction, element, and color.
By overlaying the Bagua map onto the floor plan of a space, Feng Shui practitioners can identify areas of imbalance or stagnation and implement remedies to enhance the flow of Qi.

Divisions and Representations of Life Aspects

The Bagua map is divided into nine equal sections, with the center representing the heart of the home or space and the eight surrounding gua representing different areas of life.
Each gua is associated with a specific aspect of human experience, such as family, wealth, fame, love, creativity, knowledge, career, and health.
By assessing the energy of each gua and making adjustments to align with its corresponding element and color, individuals can optimize the energy flow and promote harmony and abundance in their lives.

How to Apply the Bagua Map in Feng Shui Practice

To apply the Bagua map in Feng Shui practice, begin by superimposing the map onto the floor plan of your home or space, aligning the gua with the corresponding compass directions.
Identify areas of your home or space that correspond to each gua and assess the energy flow within those areas.
Implement Feng Shui remedies and enhancements, such as color schemes, decor, and furniture placement, to activate and balance the energy of each gua and promote positive outcomes in the corresponding areas of life.

How to Practice Feng Shui: Practical Applications

Feng Shui offers a wealth of practical techniques and strategies for optimizing the energy flow within our living spaces. Let’s explore some key practices and applications that can help us create harmonious and balanced environments:

Decluttering and Organizing Spaces

Decluttering is a fundamental aspect of Feng Shui, as clutter can obstruct the flow of Qi and create stagnant energy.
Remove unnecessary items and organize your space to create a sense of spaciousness and clarity.
Pay special attention to areas that tend to accumulate clutter, such as closets, cabinets, and entryways, and keep them tidy and well-organized.

Furniture Placement and Arrangement

The placement and arrangement of furniture play a crucial role in Feng Shui, as they can either facilitate or obstruct the flow of Qi within a space.
Position furniture in a way that promotes easy movement and access to key areas, such as doors and windows. Facing the door or having clear sight to the door is good Feng Shui.
Avoid placing furniture directly in line with the door or pathway of a room, or facing away from the door, as this can create obstacles to the flow of energy.

Color and Element Selection

Color is a powerful tool in Feng Shui, as different hues are associated with specific elements and energies.
Choose colors that correspond to the elements of the Bagua map and incorporate them into your decor and design scheme.
For example, use shades of green and blue to represent the wood element, which is associated with growth and vitality, or red and orange to represent the fire element, which symbolizes passion and energy.

Incorporating Feng Shui Principles in Interior Design

Integrating Feng Shui principles into interior design involves creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also feel harmonious and balanced.
Pay attention to the flow of energy within a space and make adjustments as needed to promote balance and well-being.
Experiment with different design elements, such as lighting, texture, and symbolism, to create a space that supports your goals and aspirations.

Benefits of Feng Shui: Tips

The practice of Feng Shui offers a wide range of benefits that extend beyond mere aesthetics, promoting harmony, abundance, and well-being in our lives. Here are some of the key advantages of incorporating Feng Shui principles, described as the art of placement, into our living spaces to enhance positive energy.

Improved Health and Well-being

Feng Shui, a Chinese philosophy, aims to create environments that support physical, emotional, and spiritual health by utilizing the Taoist understanding of nature.
By optimizing the flow of Qi and harmonizing the energy within our living spaces, Feng Shui can help alleviate stress, promote relaxation, and enhance overall well-being.
A well-balanced and harmonious environment can contribute to better sleep, increased energy levels, and a greater sense of vitality and vitality.

Enhanced Relationships and Communication

Feng Shui emphasizes the importance of creating spaces that foster positive interactions and harmonious relationships.
By aligning our living environments with the principles of Feng Shui, we can create spaces that promote open communication, mutual respect, and emotional connection.
A harmonious home environment can strengthen relationships with family members, friends, and romantic partners, fostering a sense of unity and support.

Increased Prosperity and Abundance

Feng Shui principles are often used to attract wealth and abundance into our lives.
By activating the wealth and abundance gua within our living spaces and removing obstacles, we can create environments that support financial success and abundance.
Feng Shui techniques such as enhancing the wealth corner, using symbols of prosperity like Fu, and incorporating elements of nature can help manifest our financial goals and aspirations while ensuring a flow of positive energy.

Use Feng Shui to Command Position in Your Life

This ancient practice offers profound insights and practical techniques for creating harmonious and balanced living environments. Bringing the practice of Feng Shui into your home, using Feng Shui colors, and finding creative ways to use Feng Shui creates balance, especially in the areas of your home where you spend most of your time. Here are some of the key takeaways to encourage further exploration of Feng Shui principles:

Feng Shui is far more than just a design philosophy—it’s a holistic approach to living that encompasses the interplay of energy, environment, and human experience.
By understanding and harnessing the subtle energies that flow through our spaces, we can create environments that support health, happiness, and prosperity.
Whether you’re new to Feng Shui or a seasoned practitioner, there’s always more to learn and explore.
Experiment with different Feng Shui techniques and practices to see what works best for you and your living environment.
Feng Shui is a vast and multifaceted field with many advanced techniques and applications.
Consider seeking guidance from experienced Feng Shui practitioners or exploring advanced topics such as flying stars, annual energies, and space clearing to deepen your understanding and practice.

Practicing Feng Shui can lead to profound transformations in every aspect of your life. Embrace the wisdom of Feng Shui to create greater harmony, prosperity, and well-being in your home and life.