What questions should I ask photographers I'm considering working with?

That is a topic I hear almost on a daily basis. I know myself, a lot of models tell me they are afraid to ask me too many questions, or certain questions. As a professional, I want all my clients to know exactly where they stand when they sign up and pay a deposit to shoot with me. No question is off limits. I approach the matter as if every question is coming from someone completely new to the industry. No question will insult me.

I want my clients to know the exact price of the shoot and the details - how many images they get, how many are edited, what size edits they will get, when they can expect to recieve the edited and unedited images, where the photos will be used and what for, what rights they have with use of the photos, does it cost more to get more images edited etc.

Today, there are many people buying cameras and looking to get started in their quest to become a photographer. I think it's great many are turning to photography as a creative outlet but keep in mind that passion doesn't always equate talent. Also, going a step further, there is an order to doing things as in any business and showing respect to those already established is key to being accepted into the elite group. If a photographer approaches you, you really have little idea of who they are, what they stand for, and what they can offer you in return for your hard earned money.

There are as many price packages as there are photographers. For the most part, you get what you pay for. Professional photographers maintain a price that is competitive depending on their skill set, their overhead, and their contact list. If someone is set to "beat the competition" on price, I can assure you they are someone to be leery of for more reasons than just their business practices.

I have compiled a number of questions a professional photographer will not object to answer. The answers to these will undoubtedly give you a good idea of who you are dealing with on a strictly business level.

Some important questions to ask a photographer before paying your deposit.

• How much is the shoot, and what is included? 

• How long will the shoot be?

• Where will the shoot be?

• How many outfit changes do I get during the shoot?

• How many different settings will we be shooting in?

• If no website, can you please send me a link to samples of your work including print magazine tear sheets?

• Do I get all the images? If not, how many images do I get?

• If I don't get all the images, what is the rate to get more shots?

• Are the images I get full resolution or resized for web?

• How many images are edited? What size edits?

• When will I receive the images from the shoot?

• Do you have a model release I can review before the shoot?

• Who owns the rights to the images? Are the photos mine to use and submit as I wish? 

• I'm paying for the shoot so I get a final say in where you will use my photos. Any issues with that?

• Because I am paying for my shoot, any profits you make from the images will be shared?

• Are you willing to sign my photographer release?

• Am I able to submit the images anywhere I like?

• Am I able to bring a companion to the shoot?

• Do you submit to any magazines? If so, what ones?

• How many issues of a magazine have you been published in over the last year?

• Who is your contact at the magazine?

• Do you submit to online webzines? If so, what ones?

• If at a later date, I ask for a photo to be taken offline, will you agree to take it down?

• You are not permitted to submit my photos to any stock agency without my permission. You ok with that?

In health & fitness,

DF