How to Find the Right Family Photographer

grouping of family portraits custom designed for your space

Choosing a family photographer can be challenging. There are so many options that it seems like everyone with a camera is considered a photographer. A friend asked for family photographer recommendations in a Facebook group and received nearly a hundred comments on her post.

How do you know which family photographer is the right one for you?

You might start by thinking about the experience you want to have. A very common experience is to hire a photographer after an online search, meet the person for the first time at the session, and receive a link to an online gallery full of many very similar images. As a friend told me, “there is usually one decent photo I can use for my Christmas card.”

Another approach is to hire a full-service photographer. This experience is a little different.

Keep reading to find out what the full-service photography experience is and how to decide if it’s right for you.

What is Full-Service Photography?

Full-service photography is the next level of the family photography experience. It’s far more than someone with a nice camera snapping some pictures. The full-service process guides clients from beginning to end with a seamless experience.

The Lisa Maco Photography full-service experience includes a 5-part process:

1. Quick Phone Call – This is our opportunity to simply have a conversation. I love getting to know my clients and answering any questions you have about the process and see if it makes sense to move forward with a session.

2. Design Consultation – Once you’re on the schedule, I’ll come to your home so we can talk more about each member of your family. We’ll talk about individual personalities, how everyone interacts, what you hope to capture in your session, and how you want to display your finished images in your home. I’ll show you examples of different styles and we’ll decide what’s right for you. We talk about clothing to fit the style. I’ll leave you with a Portrait Guide that shows my finished products and gives you tips on how to prepare for your session to make everything go smoothly.

3. Session Day Experience – When the session day arrives, all we have to do is execute what we have already planned. No stress. No mess. I’ll get everyone comfortable and ready before we start. After the session, the kids get to choose a prize and everyone leaves with a special treat.

4. Selection Appointment – Instead of clicking through an online gallery of too many similar photos trying to find the differences, we view them together. I’ll show you the images that best meet your goals and make some suggestions for how to display them. We’ll work together to finalize your selections with your favorite images. And that’s that. I take care of all the production for you using a professional print lab and custom framer to produce archival-quality products that last generations. The next time you see me, my hands will be full of your products!

5. Delivery – As soon as I have your completed order, I’ll be in touch to set up delivery. I can handle installation for you as well, if you want.

Full-Service Photography Saves Time and Money

When you choose a full-service photographer, you get to be the duck calmly floating on the surface as I do all the paddling behind the scenes. Between each step of a full-service session is time spent preparing for the session, hand-editing images, finding the best printers and framers, and making sure everything is done right and on time. It all goes into creating a white-glove experience and custom portrait artwork you’ll treasure forever. We do all this with minimal impact on your busy schedule.

The truth is that full-service photography saves you time and money. How? It takes the work of a photoshoot off your plate. Instead of figuring out the details of the session on your own, I’ll be there to guide you in designing the session, choosing clothing, preparing for the day, and selecting the best images and products to fit your needs. Before you know it, your portraits will be on display in your home.

DC Family Photographer

There are so many photographers to choose from, so choose a photographer with the best overall experience. Let’s work together to create portrait artwork that you’ll cherish for years to come. If you’re ready, I’d love to chat with you. I feel a phone call is the best way for us to get to know each other and answer your questions. Click here to book a Discovery Call.