Before you book
How to review a portfolio
A portfolio shows you how a photographer sees and how consistently they deliver. Look first, then talk, and book when you are sure it is the right fit.
Look at the light
Soft, directional light shapes a face and lets the background fall away. Look for skin that looks natural and even, gentle shadows, and a calm backdrop that keeps the eye on the child.
Look at the faces
The best portraits show a child as they truly are. Look for real expressions rather than forced smiles, and for children who look comfortable and settled.
Look for consistency
One beautiful image can be luck. Look across many different children and sessions, and notice whether the quality holds from one family to the next.
Look at the finished work
A portrait is not finished on a screen. Ask to see printed and framed work, and notice the paper, the glass and the frame. Wardrobe that would look right fifty years ago will look right fifty years from now.
Questions to ask in your conversation
- What does a session include, and what does it cost?
- How do you guide a child who will not sit still?
- How and when will I see my proofs?
- How is the finished artwork printed, framed and delivered?
- What can I do with the files and the prints?
- What happens if I am not happy?
Every photographer is an independent business. A good one will welcome these questions and answer them plainly.