There are a lot of photographers in the Salt Lake Valley. Choosing one feels harder than it should be.
Here's how I'd think about it if I were a family trying to decide.
Start with the end product, not the photos
Most families look at a portfolio and ask "do I like these photos?" That's the right question, but it's not the only one.
The better question is: what do I actually end up with?
Some photographers deliver a USB drive. Some send a gallery link. Some, like me, design artwork around your home and put it on your walls. The experience and the end product are completely different depending on who you hire, and the price difference between models is significant. Know what you're buying before you fall in love with someone's Instagram feed.
Look at consistency, not highlights
Every photographer has a handful of great shots. What tells you more is whether the whole body of work holds up. Look at ten full sessions if you can find them, not ten curated favorites. Consistency means the good work isn't an accident.
Ask about the session experience itself
How long is the session? Where does it happen and who decides? What happens if it rains? What does the photographer actually do with your kids when they stop cooperating?
A photographer who has real answers to these questions has thought through the experience. One who gives vague answers probably hasn't.
Understand what happens after
This is the part most families overlook entirely.
Do you get files? If so, what do you do with them? Are prints included or purchased separately? Is there an ordering process? A reveal? A gallery you log into alone at midnight?
The session is one hour. What happens after the session is the rest of your life with those photographs. Make sure you know how that part works before you book.
Check reviews for specifics, not stars
Five stars means something. What the review actually says means more. Look for reviews that describe the experience, mention specific moments, or talk about what the family ended up with. Generic five-star reviews tell you less than one honest detailed one.
Ask if you can talk to them first
Any photographer worth hiring will get on a call with you before you book. That call tells you more than their website does. How do they listen? Do they ask about your family or just your dates? Do they feel like someone you'd want in your living room?
That last one matters more than any price or portfolio. You're inviting this person into your home for the reveal. Trust your gut about whether that feels right.
What to ask on the call
A few questions worth bringing:
What's included in the session fee and what's separate? How do you handle kids who won't cooperate? Can I see a full session, not just highlights? What does the ordering process look like? How long before we see the images?
The answers matter less than how they answer. Confidence and specificity are good signs. Vagueness is not.
The honest version
I'm obviously not a neutral party here. I run a boutique family photography studio in the Salt Lake Valley, I take a limited number of families each year, and the experience I offer is specific and different from most photographers you'll find.
But the framework above applies regardless of who you hire. Know the end product, check consistency, understand the post-session process, and talk to the photographer before you book.
If that conversation leads you to Smyer Image, I'd love to meet your family.
