The 8th post in our ongoing series about how to understand and work with a photographer is: You should always give credit where credit is due! It’s also the ethical thing to do! Fine art photography, including portrait photography, takes much time and effort on the part of the photographer. So, if you are posting professional photos on social media, be polite and give the photographer who shot them credit for their work. It’s a great way to show off your snazzy pictures while helping out your photographer by spreading the word (and photo) of their great work.

Giving the Photographer Credit

Keep in mind that using another photographer’s work without giving them credit might not be illegal (although in most cases it is), using someone else’s professional pictures without credit or attribution is unethical and really in poor taste. After all, would you want someone to do that to you?!

But you may reason, “I paid for those photos!” Even so, you should give them credit. Tag the photographer when you post on social media. It takes a second and will be greatly appreciated by your photographer! Almost every photographer today has a page or some social media presence. Tagging them gives them great exposure as well as credit for their wonderful work! If you’re enjoying those family pictures, we bet others will, too!

Most photographers won’t mind that you share them if you give them credit. A lot of their business comes from word-of-mouth referrals, the very best kind of referral. So getting their name out to your friends and family could actually be helpful to them. Many photographers will reward you with a credit for a referral. (Here at Ever After, we do!)

Keep the Watermark

Remember, photographers watermark their photos because they’re proud of their work. Cropping out a watermark or signature is a big no-no.

So feel free to spread the love, and share your beautiful professional family pictures, but don’t forget to give credit where credit is due!

If you are a Broadlands, VA area or Northern Virginia resident, contact us to discuss our fine art photography and family pictures.
 

 
Other tips in this series:
Tip #1, Understanding the Process
Tip #2, Don’t ask for more photos than the ones we present to you
Tip #3, Don’t Expect Free Photography
Tip #4, Don’t Crop Out the Watermark
Tip #5, Don’t Edit a Photographer’s Images
Tip #6, Think Twice When Hiring Friends!
Tip #7, Don’t Ask Them to Change Their Style

Family Photographer, Fine Art Photography

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team in Northern Virginia, in and around Broadlands, va. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
 
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
 
Best,
 
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
 
Professional Photographer

Each photography studio, whether in Broadlands, VA, Broad Run Farms, VA, or on the other side of the country, is unique in its own way. Photographers usually have their own style or signature look. Their clients hire them because something attracted them to that particular photographer, and they were willing to invest in that photographer. A happy photography client values their portraits enough to select and invest in the right photographer. But in the end, it comes down to your choice.

The photographer you choose is determined by how important your family portraits are to you. When we hear, “Wow, you’re expensive,” we wonder what you’re comparing us to. When talking about value, everything is a comparison.

Some people eat fine French cuisine; some eat French fries.

Some people drive a Tesla; some drive a Chevy.

Some people want fine family photography; some are content with smartphone snapshots.

The point is: Any food will curb your hunger. Any car will get you from point A to point B. Any camera will give you a picture.

The difference is: The QUALITY. The EXPERIENCE. The VALUE.

The difference is what you feel is important.

If it’s really important, if it’s really of value, you’ll pay a little more for something special.

If it’s not, you won’t. Simple.

At Ever After, we are exceptionally committed as family photographers to serve our clients as best we can. We know what portraits come to mean to clients. We can also appreciate the time and energy invested by clients. So if your photos and family portraits are truly important to you, then you need to select the right photographer for your family and your needs. And, yes, there is a big difference between photographers, what they charge, and what the photo session will produce. There can be a wide range of skills, talent, and experience. Choose wisely or you could find yourself disappointed.
 

 
If you are searching for an exquisite fine art portrait, then you should select a fine art portrait and family photographer whose work you’ve seen and love. You should search for someone known for this type of photography whose style you admire. Hopefully, that would be us!

Selecting a photographer and portrait studio is an important decision worthy of your time and effort. The money you invest in portraits will be money well spent if you select the right photographer for you and your vision. We can’t stress this enough: Be certain to view a photographer’s work before hiring them and be certain you love their work.

If you live near the Broadlands, VA, Broad Run Farms, VA, we’re always happy to discuss your photography needs and ideas, as well as our style. Contact us today. We’d love to hear from you!

Other blogs which may interest you:

Why are family portraits so important?
 

Family Photographer, Portrait Studio

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter family photography team located in Northern Virginia, near Broadlands, VA and Broad Run Farms, VA. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
 
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
 
Best,
 
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
 
Professional Photographer

We’d like to talk about the difference between your snapshots of loved ones versus our Northern Virginia area portrait studio for professional portraits. Located near Broadlands, VA, we provide the experience of having family portraits you’ll treasure forever.

It seems these days everyone is a photographer because they can just pull out their smartphone. You can take a few pictures to be stored in phone cyberspace but not necessarily displayed where you can enjoy them every day. We think it’s important to discuss why investing (a lot or a little) on professional portraits is truly worth it!

Snapping lots of photos of our family members is truly wonderful. The invention of the smartphone and point-and-shoot cameras has truly revolutionized a hobby photographer’s ability to document their loved ones. It’s easy, and it’s fun! So, why hire a pro and spend all that money? Because it’s worth it, and it’s very different than a snapshot.

• A portrait photography studio can produce work that you can’t on your phone or your easy-to-use camera.
• A professional photographer has years of training and education centered around photography.
• A professional photographer has skills a hobby photographer does not.
• A professional photographer has invested tens of thousands into their business, their equipment, and their training.
• Professional photography is an artistic craft unlike point and shoot pictures.
• And, yes, professional portraits may seem like a bit of luxury, but can you truly put a price on documenting your family for future generations?

You can take a quick snapshot, print it out at your local big-box store and pop the print in a frame and display on your tabletop, desk, or wall. Voila! You’re done. Except that the photo hasn’t been printed on archival paper or framed in museum-quality framing. Will it last 10 years? Possibly, unless you splash something on the frame. If you keep it out on a table where you can see, will it fade from sunlight? Yes, it will. Will it last to the next generation? Perhaps, but only if you store it in an archival box with little light or humidity.

Professional photography is so much more than a snapshot! A professional and boutique portrait studio such as Ever After Portraits works only with archival-quality products and materials. Our goal – besides documenting your family and their relationship – is to ensure your portraits are protected for generation to come without putting them away into a box. How can you enjoy those special moments if they’re hidden away in a box?!
 

 
Is it worth the time and investment?

Ask any bride who’s invested in a high-quality, reputable photographer if they regret spending the money on their wedding day. Ask any parent if they regret spending the money on the professional newborn pictures of their little darling. We can guarantee you that the answer will be “No!” They absolutely do not regret ordering professional portraits from a professional photographer.

Their professional portraits captured very special moments in their lives, ones they can’t relive, and they’ve been documented for generations to come. Years from now, they’ll be able to enjoy their wedding portraits and show their grandchildren their own parents’ newborn pictures!

• Fine art, professional photographers are artists in their own right.
• They are highly skilled, highly experienced, and gifted in their craft.
• They can capture the beauty – both physical and inner – with their portraits.
• They will spend hours in the portrait studio after a photo session to craft a stunning picture.

These are reasons why you should still hire a professional photographer from a portrait studio in addition to your snapshots! If you live in the Broadlands, VA area, or anywhere in the surrounding area, we hope you will let us document the special moments your family experiences and enjoys.

Family Photographer, Portrait Studio

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, mother-daughter portrait photographers located in Northern Virginia, near Broadlands, VA. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
 
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
 
Best,
 
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
 
Professional Photographer