Special moments deserve to be captured in truly beautiful pictures. The problem is that everyone claims to be an ‘expert’ photographer in Dubai nowadays, so finding that one person to help you capture such moments can prove to be challenging. To help you narrow down your search for the perfect photographer in Dubai, the team at ServiceMarket have outlined a seven-step process on how to find one.
Start by researching the type of photography you want
There are many different types of photography specializations: event photography, wedding photography, portraits, maternity and newborn photography, etc. To make your search easier, think about the type of photography you need. Some people also need someone who is skilled at different styles of photography. For example, you may need a wedding photographer who is really great at taking portraits, as well as candid shots.
Ask for recommendations
Now that you have decided what type of photography you would like for your photoshoot, it is time to ask around for a photographer in Dubai who can meet those requirements. Recommendations from family, friends and even social media communities are great, because they are often based on first hand experience. Look out for names that keep popping up over and over again – clearly the photographer must be good if there are many word-of-mouth recommendations for them. Once you have a list of names, you can then do your own research to see if their photography style is indeed what you are looking for.
Besides asking friends and family for recommendation, an online search always brings up a plethora of options. If you have the time and patience, go through the search results and highlight the professionals that catch your eye. Browse through the photographer’s website, online portfolio and social media business accounts to get an idea of their photography style. You can also read reviews of photographers on ServiceMarket.
Shortlist your preferred photographers
By now, you will have narrowed down your preferred photographers in Dubai. We recommend that you make two lists: one containing your first choice of photographers and the other containing your back ups. There is always the chance that your first choice of photographers do not or can not meet your needs: they might be busy on a particular date, their prices might be out of your budget range, they might not provide services in your area, they might not be experts in the style of photography you are looking for or they simply might not have the time to fulfill the requirements for your shoot.
Having a backup list of photographers also saves you the time and effort of having to go back and do the research all over again if none of your first-choices can help you.
Contact them with your requirements and your budget
The next step is to reach out to the photo studios in Dubai on your list with your dates, times, photoshoot style and budget. This is an important step because it will help you narrow down the list of photographers you are going to meet.
Most photographers are happy to negotiate, especially the budget, but expect to cross at least a few photographers off your list. You may also find that some photographers do not respond to your inquiries. Immediately cross those off as it is a sign of unprofessionalism.
Meet the photographer
By now, you will have narrowed down your list of photographers even further. The photographers in Dubai that you meet should be the ones that match your requirements. The meeting will help you decide if there is good chemistry between yourself and the photographer.
The vibe is important because it can make all the difference between good and amazing pictures. If you find that things are awkward and stunted between you and the photographer, and conversation and rapport doesn’t flow, then you may want to consider not hiring him/her. Remember photographers are meant to make you feel at ease and comfortable so that they can get natural photos.
Also, pay attention to the questions they ask about the event or shoot your require: How interested do they seem in it? Have they tried to get to know your vision for the images? Do they understand the event timeline? Paying attention to small details such as these can save you a lot of trouble down the line.
Ask for references
You can now ask for references from your top choices. This is just the last step in the process of finding a photographer in Dubai as chances are that you will be comfortable with your decision at this stage. The references will just help you put your mind at ease that you made the right decision and that your photographer(s) of choice will fulfill your requirements.
Make a decision: hire or pass
Now that you have done all the research and vetting, all that needs to be done is to make a decision on which Dubai photographer you would like to hire. If you are equally happy with all the photographers you have in your final list and are finding it hard to make the choice, then ask yourself these three questions:
- Which photographer best fits your budget?
- Which photographer offers the best value for price?
- Which photographer did you get a really good vibe off of?
