When it comes to choosing a photographer, we know it can be overwhelming. An online search can quickly bring up hundreds of options, many of which have confusing or misleading pricing & terms, and no clear details on how they work or what they actually offer.

Choosing the right photographer to capture your family memories or your corporate identity is extremely important. To help you make the right choice, here are some tips on how to choose the right photographer to suit your needs:

Do you like their photography style?

Get a feel for the photographer’s style and make sure that it is something that you will love seeing on your walls in the future. A great portrait should be one that remains on display for many years and not taken down because it looks dated. Excessive unnatural retouching, “on trend” filters and elaborate props & outfits are all things that can quickly make a photo look dated.

Our simple, natural & contemporary style of photography is designed to focus on expression rather than incorporating props, sets or over the top outfits so they won’t date. Our customers from 25+ years ago still tell us how much they love their photos that are still displayed around their homes today.

When choosing a photographer, ask yourself: “will I still love these photos in 10 years?”.

Who is actually taking the photos?

You’ve fallen in love with the photos on a studio’s website, but which photographer took them? How experienced are they? Most studios have a team of photographers that changes as people come and go, so make sure you find out who will be taking your photos.

When you book a shoot with Mark Morffew, you know that you’re getting over 30 years experience, and the high quality of work that we display is a true representation of what you will get from your shoot - so you know you’re booking with the best!

Does the photographer offer products that you actually want?

Taking some time to think about what you want to get out of your photo shoot can make all the difference when choosing a photographer. Do you want framed prints? A beautiful photo album? Digital files?

These days, many photographers will give you a USB with some digital files and a couple of small prints and be done. But what if you actually want a large framed portrait to display on your walls? Yes, you’ve got the digital files, but now you have to go and find somewhere that can print the photo at the right size and quality, as well as somewhere that can frame it the way you want. And did you consider whether the inks and materials being used are archival and acid-free so that your photo doesn’t discolour after 12 months? Probably not.

We offer the highest quality photographic products along with high resolution, retouched digital files. Examples and more information on our products can be found here.

Is the photographer reputable?

If you’re looking for a photographer, do some research. Ask your friends for recommendations. Trust word of mouth, or call and speak to the photographer to get a feel for the type of experience you’ll have. And remember - online reviews are not always what they seem. We’re all guilty of reading online reviews, but can they really be trusted? The increasing number of fake or incentivised reviews and negative reviews by competitors make trusting online reviews difficult.

If you want reassurance that you’re making the right choice, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns that you might have - our team are more than happy to explain how we work and what to expect, or answer any of your questions.

Where are the photos actually being taken?

Lots of “studios” look incredible on their websites, but when you actually arrive for your shoot and find yourself in somebody’s garage, you might start to second guess your choice. Always make sure to check out where the studio is located, what facilities are available, if easy parking is available. Knowing these things can help you to prepare for your shoot and make the whole process much easier.

Our bright, modern studio space in Potts Point, Sydney and warehouse studio spaces in Melbourne offer change room & bathroom facilities, parking and a relaxed environment to ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable experience.

How much is it going to cost?

Having professional photos taken is an investment. Whether it’s updated family portraits or new headshots for your professional or corporate profiles, never go for the cheapest option. Photography is like any other service - you get what you pay for.

Every photographer or photography studio charges differently. The easiest way to get a clear understanding of their pricing is to see their price list. Most photographers have packages “starting from…”, but it is actually unclear what is included and what your final investment will be. Some photographers don’t mention pricing at all on their website and ask you to “contact them for pricing”.

We offer a variety of photography packages to cater for all needs, and all of our packages have the option to add on additional products if desired. Our products are priced based on size and the type of product you choose. To give you an idea of what you’ll be investing, our Products page includes a price guide with our most popular sizes and product types.

It’s also a good idea to find out whether retouching/editing is included. Some photographers may look appealing because you receive a digital file of every photo taken, but most of the time these files are not high resolution and have had minimal retouching/editing (if any).

Any photos that you purchase with us are retouched to the highest standard - skin blemishes, stray hairs, colour correction if required, wrinkles & lines softened etc. - so that the final product is something that you can be proud to display.

Should you be wary of “free” photo shoots?

Yes. Always be sure to do some research before you redeem the free photo shoot that you received when you purchased your new car. This type of marketing is not designed as a “gift” - it is to generate potential bookings/leads. The company giving you the gift shares your contact information with the photographer and the idea is that you come to redeem the free “gift” and then high-pressure sales tactics push you into spending a small fortune that you had no intention of parting with. Remember the old saying - nothing is for free.

Taking the time to make sure that you choose a photographer that offers everything that you’re looking for can make a world of difference. With over 30 years as a leader in the photography industry, Mark Morffew offers experience, quality and peace of mind that you’re in the best hands. Contact us to discuss booking your next photo shoot!