Choosing a Photographer
The meaning of professional.
The IRS defines a professional as an individual or entity that makes more than 50% of their income from a particular endeavor. This means that a photographer who has a day job and does photography as a hobby cannot be a professional photographer. Indeed, the definition is designed specifically to weed out hobbyists from claiming to be professional.
It should be noted that being a professional does not mean that the quality of pictures produced is inherently superior. There are a great many hobby photographers that produce amazing work. They just don’t do it for a living.
Increasing the pool.
The IRS definition of professional is specifically designed to stop hobby photographers from tricking the government into paying for their hobby. The photographers that are, in the eyes of the government, not professional go to great lengths to claim that ‘professional behavior’ entitles them to be included in the ranks of the true professionals. This is where the lines blur and it is incumbent upon the model to do due diligence.
Each recommendation that is relaxed represents one more step on the slippery slope toward dealing with a GWC.
Initial presentation.
A lot can be determined by the way photographers represent themselves online.
If their only presence is social media they are probably a GWC. It is good to have a presence on Instagram or some other platform but if the photographer does not lead with their own website using their own domain name they are firmly in the realm of amateur. Having and maintaining a website costs money and time. Opting not to have a website is a good way to categorize photographers into a lower tier.
Above the obvious refinement, the website provides a vehicle for the photographer to provide information about themselves, their services and price structure, answers to questions, promotions and events and galleries of their work. It should include all contact information and links to social media.
The recommendation is don’t shoot with photographers that don’t lead with their own website.
The portfolio.
The attribute that draws models to photographers is the portfolio. The aesthetic sought by the model should be well represented in the photographer’s portfolio.
But there’s more. The portfolio is a window into the experience and ability of the photographer.
How many models appear in the portfolio?
Does the same model appear many times in marginally different poses?
Is it clear that the pictures were taken at a workshop where the photographer didn’t do the setup?Does the portfolio show that the photographer has mastery of lighting and posing?
The recommendation is don’t shoot with photographers whose portfolios fail to display a high level of variety and expertise.
Self worth.
Many photographers don’t value their work; so why should you? Their goal is to be in the presence of a model that is otherwise beyond their reach.
it is good and often necessary to engage in trade shoots but there should be boundaries on deliverables Beware the photographer that offers everything. Ask why they’re giving it away.
A common offer is a copy of all the photographs immediately after the shoot. Obviously that includes good(?) and bad pictures with no culling or editing. The photographer that does this is not concerned with presenting their work in it’s best light or how their brand is perceived.
The recommendation is don’t shoot with photographers that offer too much or have no rules.