Hiring a Pro: How to See Through the Smoke and Mirrors of Social Media When Finding a Photographer

We live in a world where a perfectly curated social media feed can make anyone look like a seasoned professional. Crisp images, beautiful captions, and well-edited highlight reels can be enticing, but they do not always tell the full story of a photographer’s skill, professionalism, or ability to meet your unique needs. In a world where anyone can use ChatGPT and Canva to create a professional-looking social media presence, it can be tough to discern who might be the real deal. When your brand or business depends on strong imagery, you want to look past the sparkle of Instagram and see the real work behind it.

Here’s what we’d recommend doing in order to suss out who might be a seasoned pro, and who might not be who you’re expecting.

Start by asking to see a full gallery from a recent session. Social media tends to show the “greatest hits” of a shoot, but a full gallery will reveal consistency, editing style, and whether they can deliver a variety of images you will actually use. This also helps you gauge how they handle lighting situations, location challenges, or brand-specific requests.

Next, read reviews and testimonials from past clients. Look for feedback on both the images and the experience. Were they communicative and organized? Did they deliver on time? Did they understand and capture the client’s vision? These answers tell you far more about your potential working relationship than a single pretty post.

It is also worth noting how they handle communication before you book. Are they prompt and clear in their responses? Do they ask questions about your brand or your goals? Professionalism in the planning stage often reflects how the entire process will go.

A seasoned professional will also have a clear, detailed contract that outlines exactly what you can expect. This should include payment terms, rescheduling or cancellation policies, delivery timelines, usage rights for your images, and the agreed-upon session date and location. A well-written contract not only protects both parties but also shows that the photographer has experience running a reliable and organized business.

While not a definite indicator of if your experience will be a positive one or a negative one, it’s still always a good idea to see how long a professional photographer has been in business.

Finally, look for signs of real-world experience beyond social media. Do they have a professional website with clear pricing or service details? Are they involved in their local business community or known within their industry niche? Do they have examples of work that align with the type of photography you need?

Social media is a wonderful tool for discovering photographers, but it should be the start of your search, not the deciding factor. By asking the right questions, reviewing full galleries, reading reviews, and ensuring your photographer offers a professional contract, you can move past the smoke and mirrors to find someone who delivers not just beautiful images, but a truly professional experience from start to finish.