Hiring a Photographer – No need for wedding bells

Most people think of hiring a photographer only for weddings, graduations and those yearly trips to the Sears for the family portrait. But with prices falling for all things photography related and the abundance of excellent photographers, there is no reason to limit yourself and the possibility of getting some really great images.

A few suggestions…

* Photo session for visiting family (i.e. Grandparents) – great way to spend a couple hours and will create gifts for years to come. Do it at a park, playground or someplace where the children and relatives can play together.

* Calendar project – hire a photographer to come at different times over three to four months. You get enough photos to create a 12 month calendar with variety. Another great gift idea.

* Themed session(s) – What is your child doing right now that you would like to preserve? A few months back and just prior to his second, my son started to climb, climb, climb. I was amazed, my wife horrified. I took a series of shots of him climbing at playgrounds and framed four of them for our living room. Makes for a nice story about him at a certain time. Other themes might include walking, reading, swimming, swinging, cooking and really anything else that you child loves to do. Probably requires multiple photo sessions.

* Play groups – Chances are you have a 3-5 family play group. Hire a photographer to shoot one or two of the gatherings. Kids will be in their best/most animated and you can divide the cost up between the group. You can also roll this into a Mom’s session. If your family is anything like mine, you spend as much time with your new playgroup friends as you do with your old friends. That should be photographed

* Birthday Parties – Let’s be honest, 1-5 year old birthday parties are getting out of hand. How many kids really need a bouncy tent or magic show at the party? But since that sort of money is being spent, why not add a couple hundred more dollars and hire a photographer to document the day? Works also a gift idea and a group could put it together to divide the cost.

* Personal Paparazzi – Have a photographer follow you around town for a few hours just like a movie star. Creates fun, different-then-your-average day shots. Perfect in conjunction with a hot date.

* Fashion Shoot – get glammed up and have fun. Be as naughty or nice as you like.

Overall, keep it simple and have fun. Ask around about photographers and look at their web sites. You should be able to find someone willing to do one of these smaller projects. But don’t demand the world – you aren’t going to get a team with lighting kits, back drops and the entire kit-and-kaboodle. Go with one person, willing to work with your vision and interested in a spending a few hours with you, your family and friends.

You won’t regret it.

Joey