What NOT to ask a photographer

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Whether you are looking to hire a wedding photographer or are on the hunt to update your family picture, it is very important to ask questions before hiring. If you’re unsure what you should be asking, you’re in luck. I wrote a blog post about what you should ask a wedding photographer before hiring them, but it also applies to any photography. Now, there are also questions that you should avoid. You might think they’re harmless, but honestly, they’re annoying and sometimes insulting. So, with the help of one of my favorite shows, here are 5 questions to never ask your photographer.

1. Can I have all of the photos?

Why?! Seriously. Why would you want all of the pictures?! I promise you don’t want to see all of the pictures. I make sure to pick the best of the best. There’s no need to see pictures of you sneezing, random pictures of the ground, test shots, identical pictures, etc. I promise I’m not holding back on beautiful images. There’s no reason why I would! It is MY JOB to provide you with high-quality and beautiful pictures, so trust me (or your photographer), when I deliver your gallery, there’s nothing more to see.

2. Can I have the RAW Files?

Remember back in the day when you had to get the negatives developed? RAW files are the digital version of negatives. You’re not going to know what to do with them, and they will take up so much space! When you hire a photographer, you’re hiring them for their skill, including editing. Asking for the RAW files is like walking out with half of your makeup done. The work is not complete! There’s more to it than that, but to keep things short… please don’t.

3. You can photoshop that, right?

This is one of my most asked questions. It’s one of those “it depends” scenarios. Most of the time, I get asked to make them look thinner, remove a pimple or a bruise, and I can do that (I help you look thinner with posing, not photoshop). My job is to make your images look the best without you looking like an Instagram filter. You know, the ones that don’t even look like you. But, if you want cars or a crowd photoshopped out from the background, then that’s a whole other conversation.

Can you change your editing style for our session?

If you hire me (or any photographer), it should be because you love my work. And that includes the way I edit! So by asking me to change or modify my editing, you’re asking me to change my work. It’s like adopting a dog and asking it to be a cat.

I just want 1 or 2 pictures. Is that cheaper?

If only I had a dollar for every time someone tells me, “Oh, I only want 1 or 2 pictures. Like, 10 minutes tops!” This is why I offer mini-sessions. But when it’s not a mini-session season, please don’t say this to your photographer. You CAN, however, book an entire session and only use up to 10 minutes. That’s fine. But wanting to pay LESS… don’t be that person. Taking pictures is only part of the process. We still have to drive to the location and back, guide you for posing, cull the images, edit, etc. Ask your photographer about mini sessions if you don’t think a full session is right for you. You can find the details on my Tucson Mini-Sessions here.

Are you guilty of asking any of these? I’m not judging if you are! We have all been there, but now you know what NOT to ask a photographer.

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