professional photographer

There are very few people who don’t have access to a camera these days – even if that camera also doubles up as a phone. With images flooding our world it’s a surprise that the photography profession remains intact or, indeed, remains at all. However, professional photographers are more than simply happy snappers and professional photography requires skill, passion, dedication and much patience on occasion. When choosing a professional photographer for a commercial project it’s worth understanding some of the key skills that you should consider when picking a photographer to work with. Photo by: William Warby What to look for when choosing a professional photographer? Obsessive Personalities Like most creative professionals, photographers are passionate about what they do. Photography is rarely a ‘day job’ to those who pursue it, but often extends into a twenty-four-hour obsession. Passion is a hard quality to assess when searching for a professional photographer, but it is most likely to be subtly apparent in the images in their portfolio. Photo Credits: Viktor Korostynski/500px A Lot of Preparation Like any other creative industry, photography is far less about inspiration and far more about preparation than many outsiders think. In the case of photography, the perfect shot is rarely without some preparation. On occasion, luck can play a part but more often for commercial photographers and interiors photographers, there is a lot of hard work behind the scenes. This will involve setting and dressing the image, then taking numerous shots to develop the perfect picture. An experienced photographer with a broad range of experience in different types of photography is often the best choice for a commercial project. Small Screen Success Interior photography is a specific discipline in its own right, which differs significantly from landscape, portraiture and other commercial photography work. While the same basic skills are required, interior photography (especially for promotional purposes) requires a strong design sense and excellent abilities in the use and manipulation of lighting. Photographers who have experience working in film or television are often a good choice when it comes to interior photography as they have some of the strongest skills in terms of lighting and ‘dressing’ a scene. Photo Credits: Stuart Freeman/500px Previous History Examining the portfolio of potential photographers is always the best way in which to assess their skills and their suitability for your project. For example, interior photography will be a crucial aspect for any marketing campaign or sales brochure in a whole range of industries. From conference centres to wedding venues or bars and restaurants, interior photography is the ‘hook’ that will tempt your potential clients. A photographer who has experience in a specific field will be best placed to present your property (and services). Photo Credits: Mecuro B Cotto/500px The Detailed Picture Details are what set quality photographic work apart from less skilled images. An eye for detail is an essential skill for photographers, and it is normally clear from their earlier work whether they posses this particular ability or not. The use of ‘props’ and colour to sum up an interior or a product is often a sign of the photographer’s individual skill in this area. Good images tell the viewer everything that they need to know at a glance while (cleverly) leading to questions, which prompt them to view a site or brochure more deeply. Photo Credits: Tim Wallace/500px That Certain Something Some works stand out, hit you or make you fall in love. There is a certain amount of gut instinct involved in choosing a professional photographer to work with, and this should not be ignored, even on commercial projects and perhaps especially so. This gut instinct is a key part of the process that will draw potential clients to your products or services and it should not be underestimated. The best photographers may not be the cheapest, but your products deserve to take centre stage and quality custom images will prove to be a huge investment. About the Author Bob Emerald is a writer who understands that even in this phone-camera-driven-world, the merit of professional photographers is justified. If you are looking for an interior design photographer, Oxford experts can help you in finding a reputable and passionate specialist.