Your Guide To Booking ‘the right’ Family Photographer
So you've had a scroll through our directory of Christchurch family photographers and now you're staring down a list of gorgeous portfolios with no idea how to actually choose. Totally normal. Here's what's worth thinking about before you book, so you walk away with photos you'll treasure and an experience that felt good the whole way through.
What to think about before you book
Style first, everything else second. Are you drawn to polished studio portraits with backdrops and wardrobe, or do you want something candid and lifestyle based, shot at home or outdoors? Scroll through a photographer's full gallery, not just their highlight reel, and notice what keeps catching your eye. That's usually a better guide than any style label.
Location and travel. Some photographers work from a home studio, some travel to you, and some do both. If you've got a newborn or a toddler who melts down the second you leave the house, an in home session might save everyone's sanity.
Budget and what's actually included. Pricing structures vary a lot between photographers, a flat session fee, a session fee plus pay per image, or an all inclusive package. Compare like for like rather than just the headline number, since a cheaper session fee with expensive image add ons can end up costing more than an all inclusive package.
Personality fit, not just portfolio. A gorgeous portfolio doesn't always tell you how someone works with an anxious toddler or a baby who won't settle. If a photographer offers a quick call or a coffee catch up before booking, take it. You'll get a much better feel for whether their energy suits your family than you ever will from Instagram alone.
Timing your booking
In Christchurch, newborn sessions and the popular Christmas mini sessions can sell out months ahead, so it pays to book earlier than feels necessary. As a rough guide, book your newborn photographer during your first or second trimester rather than waiting for baby to arrive. Lock in Christmas or spring mini sessions as soon as a photographer opens bookings for the season.
For outdoor family sessions, spring and autumn tend to give the softest, most flattering light around Christchurch, and golden hour (the hour before sunset) is popular for a reason. If those slots matter to you, book a few weeks out rather than a few days.
Questions worth asking before you pay a deposit
A few quick questions can save you a lot of stress later:
How many images will I receive, and can I purchase more if I want them, and how much per image?
What's the turnaround time from shoot day to receiving my gallery?
What happens if the weather turns, or if my child is sick on the day?
Are prints, albums or wall art included, or purchased separately?
Who owns the digital images, and am I free to print them elsewhere or share them on social media?
What's your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
None of this is about being difficult, good photographers expect these questions and will usually have clear answers ready to go.
Why a contract or terms and conditions matters
Unpopular opinion: a contract is unnecessary. I beg to differ. You are spending hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands, and most of the time it's paid upfront. It's important that you have something in writing that guarantees your photos will actually be delivered, and within a certain timeframe.
A proper contract or terms and conditions protects you as much as it protects the photographer. At a minimum, it should spell out your delivery timeframe (so "a few weeks" becomes an actual date range you can hold them to), what happens if either of you needs to reschedule or cancel, how many images you'll receive and in what format, who owns the copyright and what you're allowed to do with your photos, and what happens to your deposit if something goes wrong on either side. If a photographer can't show you this in writing before you pay, that's worth asking about before you book, not after.
Plenty of small, wonderful photographers are still building this side of their business out, and may not have a contract at the ready. It's simply worth knowing what to ask for, the same way you'd ask a builder or a celebrant for terms before handing over a deposit.
From the photographer's perspective
Can I help you reframe how you look at the value of your investment? Getting family photos taken is an investment. You are investing in memories that will be carried through generations, the same way you probably still have photos of your Nana and Poppa standing in front of their family home. These images can be passed down to your grandchildren too.
The investment varies between photographers, but it's worth knowing that even though your session might only take an hour, the post-production editing behind it takes far longer. Every image you receive has been individually culled, colour graded, lit and retouched, then checked again before your gallery is ready. That behind the scenes work is what turns a quick snap into an image you'll want on your wall in twenty years.
You are also supporting a sole trader or small local business in New Zealand, which goes a long way. Every session booked helps a small business owner cover their equipment, subscriptions, insurance, training and time, and keeps that money circulating in your community
How to prepare for your session
Once you've booked, a little preparation goes a long way toward a relaxed session and photos you'll actually love.
Choose outfits a few days ahead rather than the morning of, and aim for complementary tones rather than a perfect colour match, this looks far more natural in photos.
If you've got young kids, let your photographer know what time of day your child might be their best selves (pre nap, or post nap), although keep in mind your photograph is likely to suggest times of the day where the lighting is best in for the location of your photoshoot. It’s important for both parties to be flexible where/if possible.
Ask your photographer about their wet weather plan ahead of time, so you're not scrambling to figure it out on the day.
If your kids are old enough to understand, give them a heads up on what to expect rather than surprising them, knowing roughly what's happening and for how long helps most children cope far better with a camera in their face. Let go of the idea of a "perfect" shoot. The genuine, slightly chaotic in between moments are usually the ones families end up loving most.
Pre your husband or partner! They also may need some kind reward system to get them through the photoshoot with a smile on their face and keeping relaxed. Photographers get this far too often where the men just don’t want to be there, and this doesn’t contribute to a fun family photoshoot experience.
Mindset shift: the photoshoot is not all about posed photos, it’s about being present with your family in this moment, real, genuine connection is what makes your photos truly authentically beautiful!
Whatever style you land on and whoever you choose, the most important thing is that you actually get the photos taken. Life moves fast, and these are the images your family will be grateful for one day, whether that's next year or forty years from now.
Ready to find your photographer? Head back to our full directory to browse everyone in one place.
Emily x
