If you are hosting a big event and need a photographer to cover it for you, there are many options available. Dubai is what many people refer to as a global city, with many of the most influential companies in the world having their headquarters here. As you can imagine, there are plenty of local firms that offer photography services. However, hiring a professional photographer is much easier said than done. Because of the relatively low barriers to entry in this field, there are plenty of frauds around as well. When you consider the fact that anyone with a high-powered DSLR camera can start taking pictures and create a photography studio, it’s easy to see why so many people are cautious before hiring any professional photographer. Here are some key factors to take into account before you hire any professional photographer for your next big event.
Portfolio
The first and most important factor that you have to take into account is the photographer’s portfolio. Many of the local photographers that offer services now have websites, so you can check them out to get a better idea of the type of pictures that they have taken in the past. The portfolio maintained by any photographer is going to give you a precise idea of the kind of work that they do. To attract more customers, many of the local photographers also have a separate review page where people can leave testimonials about their experience while working with the photographer.
Whether you need to hire a photographer for a corporate or personal event, such as a wedding ceremony or a birthday party, make sure that you take a close look at the photographer’s portfolio. Most photographers try to show their versatility through their portfolio, so it’s always better to browse through their collection first before making a decision.
Meet with the Photographer
Before you decide to hire any professional photographer in Dubai, it’s highly recommended that you meet with the person first. Most professional photographers have offices where you can meet with them, while those that don’t will often arrange a meeting with you at a neutral location, such as a coffee shop. You will need to explain the kind of event that’s being held, as well as the type of pictures that you want taken. If you want the photographer to focus on a particular subject or follow a specific theme when taking the pictures, you have to provide all of these details during the first meeting.
Negotiating the Price
When you meet with any professional photographer and discuss the kind of event as well as the pictures or videos that you want to be taken, they will give you a fixed price quote for their services. Many professional photography studios also have set packages that you can choose from; which vary regarding the number of pictures that will be taken, the duration, and the number of videos that will be made.
Keep in mind that there’s usually a considerable amount of leeway when it comes to negotiating with any professional photographer. Certain freelance photographers try to undercut the market by offering low rates to their clients, but you have to take that with a pinch of salt. A freelance photographer that doesn’t have a lot of experience might be an unproven talent. Can you afford to risk hiring an unknown photographer for such a big event?
It is highly recommended to request quotes from different photographers at the lowest prices, and then compare the offers on the table. It takes a little bit of time to get quotes from several various photographers, but your patience will pay off in the long run. Once you have compared the prices from different photographers, you can then decide which one to hire.
Upfront Payments
Most of the photographers in the industry will take a small upfront payment as an advance before signing you up. You will need to pay the advance amount, which will be deducted from their overall fee to confirm the booking with the photographer. Make sure to provide any further details and give them an idea about the types of pictures that you want to be taken. If you are hiring a photographer for a wedding event, you should know that they can also create a dedicated wedding album for you as well. You can choose from the various designs available in their portfolio and check out wedding albums and frames that they have created in the past before making a decision.
On the day of the event, the photographers will show up at the venue ahead of the time that the event is scheduled to start. They will need to scope out the area and make sure that they know where the stage will be or where the important attendees are going to be. Of course, the photographers are always open to suggestions during the event, so you can guide them to where you want them.
Ideally, you should start looking for professional photographers at least a couple of weeks before the event. However, it’s recommended that you start a month prior so that the photographers can schedule you in for the event, especially if there’s a chance of a fully-booked schedule. These are just some of the crucial things that you should know about hiring a professional photographer for any event in Dubai.
