The Ten things you must know before choosing the perfect family photographer in Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Savannah. The continuing series. That just makes it sound so binge-worthy.

So here I am. Back again to dispel wisdom, as little as I have, on the one (and only) topic that I know the most about. Photography. And today specifically on family photography and what you need to do as a client to prepare you and your family for the best experience possible and end up with incredible family portraits. Keep in mind this is just another in the series that I am creating. To see them all you can take a peek here. The importance of Google reviews here. There are just too many things to put in one post. Keep in mind that although it may come across as a bit tongue and cheek, they are all valid and useful points that come from years and years of me capturing family portraits here in Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Savannah.

If you missed the last blog that discussed the differences, both the positives and negatives, to help you make the decision between studio or location photography, you can read it all here. And the follow-up blog on the Best Time to Shoot Your Family Portrait is here. And if you are wondering if dancing and pointing Tiktok photographers are a must, as well as the efficacy of Google reviews, It’s actually quite helpful in aiding in the decision of what would be the best fit for your family, you can read all about it here. There’s more to it than you think.

And another of the latest blogs to help you choose your family photographer in Hilton Head and Savannah right here dispels just how to do your R and D when making the choice for your portrait photographer as well as learning about photography contracts and if you need one.

So let’s get started and answer some of the most common questions that I get asked as a family and portrait photographer in Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Savannah.

WAS IT JUST A LUCKY SHOT? TAKE ME TO YOUR GALLERY. 

WAS IT JUST A LUCKY SHOT? TAKE ME TO YOUR GALLERY. 

Queue the old-school famous Clint Eastwood quote from Dirty Harry, “Do you feel lucky, Punk?”

So this might seem redundant but, you need to see not only see the family photographer’s website or social media but you need to see whole galleries. That’s right. A WHOLE gallery.

Why? Because anyone, and I do mean anyone, can get lucky and take one good image. But can your family photographer seamlessly capture a whole gallery of hundreds of images of all of the combinations of your family and that includes exceptional ones that leave you breathless? Okay. That may seem a bit overly dramatic, but I continuously have clients overwhelmed by the whole gallery of images that they receive. I’m not banging my own drum (well a little) but isn’t that how it should be? That you are excited about all of the images captured by your portrait photographer and having a hard time choosing your favorites because they are all so good and not just one or two that you are feeling a little “meh” about?

Ask to see several clients’ galleries. Large families. Small families. Families with little kids. Family portraits at the beach. Multigenerational families. Family photographs in other nature settings that would fit your family. Ask and you should receive. Then you are better equipped to make the decision based on the delivery of consistently high-caliber family photography.

And let’s just confirm that if your family photographer is a good match for you then there will be full transparency on this. Without them getting offended. Because let’s be honest, we love the families that we get to capture in photography and equally love some good ole “Show and Tell”. Part of being a good family portrait photographer, or heck, any good quality photographer no matter what the genre, is always being excited about the newest shiny toy. And you, the family, are the newest shiny toy. We want to be excited and never do the same thing twice, so ask to see some galleries.

And do you know what else a good portrait photographer gets the biggest kick out of? Or maybe it’s just me, but when I client responds back with the same excitement.

Check out the response from this client when their gallery was released to them. Now that is what we live for. It never gets old.

Isn’t this the reaction that you should have when seeing your family portrait gallery?

I don’t have a thing to wear!!

I don’t have a thing to wear!!

GIRLLLLLL!!! I know you have a ton of things to wear. Let’s be clear. Do you need me to be your excuse to go shopping? Because I will be if you want me to. But if you just need clarification on what works and what doesn’t work in your family photography shoot then let’s have a discussion about it.

You should be able to have a conversation with your family photographer to answer any questions about what works and what doesn’t work in portrait photography. And to that point, something that you are going to have fun in, has creative options, feels great, meshes with everyone else and all family combinations, and will not date drastically so that you love the photographs years from now.

Your photographer should not only have the discussion with you but show you clear examples and help you to feel confident, aligned, and prepared for your family portrait. 

I know that’s a lot of information, so I’m going to give you a break to digest all of that super heady photographer education. Well, in reality, I’m at my word count for the night and going to break this out into another blog so that you are left with this cliffhanger and will have to wait for the next big release date for the upcoming blog. 

What’s upcoming in the next family photography blogs? Glad you asked. We are going to cover

• What and who is actually the OG
• Payback isn’t a bitch
• How to embarrass your kids because it’s finally time to turn the tables.
• Understanding pricing and comparing apples to apples and not apples to grapes
• Priorities
• Let’s get vibing and how to vibe
• Ooooohhh! So you have a Pinterest board
• Pretty as a picture

All this and more in the next upcoming blog from Lisa Staff Photography where you will find all of the trivia and information that you need to make your family photoshoot a success. Not just here in the Lowcountry. But it sure doesn’t hurt to know these things in Hilton Head Island. 

And here is one more tip if you are coming to Hilton Head and want sunset photos on the beach with the sun setting over the ocean…. It doesn’t happen on that side of the island. It’s only sunrise. Even I can’t fix that in Photoshop!

Be sure to check out all of my other work besides just family photography in Hilton Head and the Lowcountry. I’m a content creator, visual storyteller, educator, and wedding photographer that loves capturing a life well lived and loved. I spend my time curating family portraits, weddings, lifestyle, proposals, engagements, and interior design in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort and Savannah,  Basically all of the pretty things in all of the pretty places. I can’t help it! I’m your go-to for preserving the fleeting, forever-to-stay moments of lives lived to the frickn’ fullest.