A Checklist for busy business owners who value their time and know that quality matters.

Branded photography is an essential part of building a recognizable brand. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your brand’s image, hiring a professional brand photographer can help you achieve your goals. With so many photographers out there, how do you choose the best one for your business? As a brand photographer myself, this is what I do when choosing the best brand photographer for my business.

1. Review Their Portfolio

The first thing you should do when considering a brand photographer is to review their portfolio. Look for a photographer whose style aligns with your brand’s aesthetic. Not sure what your style is? Take a moment to see which images you are drawn to and which ones you would want to represent your business. These are the types of business photographs you will want to see in their portfolio. This will give you a sense of their approach to branding photography and their ability to capture your brand’s style and message.

2. Check Their Experience

In addition to reviewing their portfolio, you should also check their experience. Make sure the photographer has experience working with businesses like your own and has extensive experience photographing business and branding photos. Be wary of photographers with little to no business photography in their portfolio. Though their images may be beautiful, they may not be able to understand the needs of your business and brand. Look for a photographer who has a solid understanding of your brand’s target audience and can create photos that appeal to them.

3. Check Their Availability

Before you commit to working with a photographer, make sure they are available during the time frame you need them. Ask about their availability and turnaround times for edited photos, this varies widely between a few days and a few weeks. Keep in mind that some photographers may have longer wait times than others, especially during peak season.

4. Read Reviews and Testimonials

One of the best ways to evaluate a brand photographer is to read reviews and testimonials from previous clients. Look for reviews and testimonials that speak to the photographer’s communication, creativity, and overall professionalism. If you know other business owners who have worked with a brand photographer, ask them for their recommendations as well.

5. Ask About Their Process

Every brand photographer has a unique process for creating business photography. Before you commit to working with a photographer, ask them about their process. Make sure they have a clear plan for capturing your brand’s style and aesthetic. Ask how they will work with you to ensure that your vision is reflected in the final images. Some photographers include the creative direction of the photoshoot as part of their process, while others expect the client to have the vision and to direction of the photoshoot.

6. Discuss Your Budget

When it comes to hiring a brand photographer, it’s important to discuss your budget upfront. Make sure the photographer can work within your financial constraints. Ask about pricing packages, image licensing fees (the fees needed to use the images in a commercial capacity), and/or any additional fees for editing or retouching. Keep in mind that investing in quality branded photography is an investment in your brand’s success. As a general rule of thumb, if the photographer does not know about licensing fees, they are not a brand and business photography expert.

7. Evaluate Communication Skills

Another important factor to consider when choosing a brand photographer is their communication skills. Make sure the photographer is responsive to your emails and phone calls. Ask if they are open to feedback and suggestions. As a result, communication is key when it comes to creating branded photography that accurately represents your brand.

8. Ask for Recommendations

And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations. Reach out to other business owners in your network and ask if they have worked with a brand photographer before. Ask them about their experience and if they would recommend the photographer they worked with.

Choosing the best brand photographer for your business takes time and research. You may not get it right the first time. But, by following this checklist, you’ll be able to evaluate potential photographers based on their experience, portfolio, process, and communication skills.

Investing in quality branded photography is a smart investment in your brand’s success. By creating visually appealing and impactful images, you can attract and retain customers, build brand recognition, and ultimately increase your bottom line.