What info is required when dealing with a photographer?

If I was going to enlist a photographer to do some (glamour or otherwise)
portraits of my girlfriend, what sorts of things need to be specified?

For example, we have some simple 'snapshots' that we've done already to
give a 'taste' of the sort of thing we would like but what...
'instruction'(?)... do we need to give the photographer? Is it crass or
too simplistic to give him our snapshots and say, "Here's the sort of poses
we'd like... and we want to highlight her hair.. her eyes.. and her smile.
Do your magic!" ) ...or is it a matter of letting the photographer do his
thing..?

I'm not sure what the process is for this as I've never arranged anything
like it before... but it's something we both want to do, for ourselves and
for her parents.

Many thanks for any forthcoming suggestions.


John

 

Make sure you have a clear understanding of who will hold the
copyrights to the photos once they are taken. Many photographers will
retain the copyrights and charge you for any prints made, in this day
and age I would only work with a photographer who is willing to sign
the copyrights over to you and give you the images files or
negatives. You might still want to use the photographer to make some
prints, but you also will want to reserve the right to make more
prints later without going back to the photographer.

Make sure you have it in writing that you will own the copyrights of
any photos taken.

Scott

 

As a former longtime professional photographer, I would never give away
copyrights, nor would anyone I know in the business. People who do that
are called amateurs.

 

Ask to see samples of their work. Don't use them unless you like it.
Personally I'd be embarassed to show my photos to a professional and
wouldn't do so, but maybe you have more neck than I do.

Also ask what their prices are, and check on the copyright and reprint
options. However, I agree with the poster that said that a
professional photographer will retain the copyright.

And check around several photographers - you wouldn't be asking this
question if there wasn't a choice where you live!

 

You just upped the photographer's fee for services by many, many
times.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

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I consider myself an amature, and I agree, I would not give away my
copyrights. Some of them may be purchased (such as in this scenario),
but that becomes part of the pricing. It's OK to ask, but a
photographer worth paying at all will not just give the copyrights to
you.

Austin

 

I think giving him/her a target (i.e. describing poses or showing
snapshots) is not a bad idea, but also alow him to do his own thing.

The photographer may see things that you consider "ordinary" or
"plain" and make them really stunning. He/she should give you what
you ask for, but leave them room to give you *more*. When I have been
on the subject side of the lens, I have always had a few suggestions,
but mostly let the photographer "do their thing." Sometimes, my ideas
work the best, sometimes they fall flat in comparison.

Another thing - if you are going to be present during the shoot, sit
down and shut up. Nothing will stop the creative juices like a
boyfriend trying to make "improvements".

Austin

 

You sound a bit intimidated by professional photographers! We don't bite and
welcome guidance. By all means show hinm the snapshots. Also useful are
clips from magazines of the sort of thing you'd like, or even what you don't
want. Make sure you have seen what he usually does so that his basic style
suits and that you like him. A good photographer will guide her through the
poses which look good and flatter her and should make the experience
enjoyable. If you want atmoshre do consider black and white: it always looks
classy!

Good luck,

Gerald Place
www.fotoplace.co.uk

 

John,

The above is some very good advice. Someone suggested not
showing your crummy snapshots to a real live professional
photographer. That's BS. Who cares what he thinks of them!

But pay special attention to what Gerald says about "what he
usually does so that his basic style suits"!

Probably before showing him *your* stuff, look at his stuff. If
*none* of it suits your perception of what you want, just be
polite and walk away as soon as possible. When you find someone
who normally does shoot the style you are thinking of, then haul
out your stuff and have an in depth discussion of style.

The photographer can get a better idea of what you want by both
looking at what you have and talking about his examples. He can
then show you more examples and get a clear idea of what you
find acceptable.

 

Let him know how you intend to use the phtographs; you are getting
professional photographs for a reason, don't keep the reason a secret
from the person who can help you achieve your goals.

 

In this country at least, copyright is owned by the person who
commissions the photographs. The negatives are usually held to be the
property of the photog, but he does not have the copyright. He cannot,
for instance print your images and sell them elsewhere, or even display
them without your permission.

Public perception is that the photog has the negs, so he owns the
copyright, but that isn't necessarily true.

Of course, many contracts specify that the copyright is with the photog,
and if the client signs it, then that's that. But if it's not in the
contract, then the commissioner owns it. But, it's as well to spell it
out first rather than argue later.

Colin D.

 

John,

It's all relative. Some photographer like input, some feel they are so
awesome that you couldn't possibly have a good idea (I fall into the first
catagory).
First things first:
1.) Look at their work (Do you like their style?)
2.) Do they have a studio to shoot privately
3.) Will they come to your home to shoot
4.) How much will it cost?
5.) What's included? (Just the shoot? A CD, prints, what sizes, what costs
extra, etc.)

Depending on where you are, I do this kind of work.

Gary

 

Still working-out what we want, I guess... but many thanks for the helpful
suggestions, everyone.


John

 

Incorrect. Unless the it was "work for hire".

If you live in the US he does...the exception being "work for hire"
which is very rare in the situation under discussion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_for_hire


--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico