When you need the services of a professional photographer, the general assumption is that you want nice photographs of yourself, your family, your wedding, your event, or your business.
But there are many different layers to that decision.
Some people simply want something fast and average to fill a website without giving it much thought. And, contrary to what you might think, there is nothing necessarily wrong with that. Perhaps they are targeting people who have the same values and expectations, and professional photography isn't particularly important to them.
If you are reading this blog, however, I assume you are looking for something deeper.
You are not simply looking for a photographer based on price or technical quality. You are looking for the right photographer for you.
And that requires understanding much more than how good someone's photographs look.
Take the time to explain what you want
One of the most important things to consider is what you want to communicate through your photographs.
What do you want your images to say about you? Or, if you are photographing an important event, how do you want that moment to be remembered?
For example:
Do you want something elegant or contemporary?
Natural or highly directed?
Traditional or experimental?
Formal or relaxed?
Colourful or understated?
Do you want to look glamorous, approachable, powerful, romantic, or simply like yourself?
Many times, it isn't a binary choice. You might want a combination of different approaches depending on the circumstances.
However, having these things in mind is extremely useful when talking to different photographers.
The more clearly you communicate what you want, the easier it becomes for a photographer to understand whether they are the right person for you.
©2026 Leticia Gaidon Bradford Photography. All Rights Reserved.
Understand the photographer's vision and style
This is particularly important because photographers develop a visual language over time.
If you dislike something that appears repeatedly in a photographer's portfolio, don't assume they will suddenly photograph you completely differently.
Every person has their own aesthetic because it reflects, to some extent, their lifestyle, experiences and the communities they belong to. Photographers are no different. Their clothes, manners, interests and surroundings can all influence their artistic vision.
I have a mostly classic and elegant style, for example. I could photograph a group of skaters, but I wouldn't necessarily be the right photographer to communicate the deeper meaning and edgy aesthetic of their world.
I can photograph the skaters, but I am an outsider in their universe.
And that matters.
Recently, I was talking to a client who was unhappy with the photographer who photographed her daughter's wedding. She was particularly unhappy with the way the photographer dressed for the event and with the fact that many important photographs, including family portraits, were missed.
She also felt that the photographer pushed for sexy poses at a wedding that was very traditional in style.
This is a small example of how choosing a photographer who doesn't understand your vision, personality or expectations can affect the way one of the most important moments in your life is remembered.
Photography is one of the few things we purchase that can last a lifetime and even be passed on to future generations. Yet many people and businesses don't acknowledge the importance of this when choosing a photographer.
Not spending enough time finding the right photographer, or simply choosing the cheapest option without considering all the other factors involved, can be a costly mistake.
©2026 Leticia Gaidon Bradford Photography. All Rights Reserved.
Make sure they understand what you DON'T want
As I mentioned in the previous section, sometimes explaining what you dislike is just as important as explaining what you love.
For example: "I don't want anything overly sexualised." Or "I don't want heavily retouched skin."
Many times, we assume that other people understand our boundaries. Unfortunately, some people simply can't read the room.
So, if there are things that are particularly important to you, it is better to communicate them clearly.
There is another interesting aspect to this.
Sometimes we don't even know what we dislike until we stop and think about it.
We can choose a location, a style or a trend simply because we have seen someone else do it and thought it looked good, without asking whether it actually represents us.
I experienced this while preparing a dating profile photography session.
My client had decided that he wanted to have his photographs taken on a beach. During our conversation, I casually mentioned that I personally preferred forests to beaches. I wasn't trying to influence his decision. I was simply explaining that I am more of a forest person.
To my surprise, he admitted that he didn't like the beach either.
He had chosen the location because he had seen a nice photograph taken there. But if he doesn't enjoy the beach, what would those photographs communicate to someone looking at his dating profile?
They would potentially give the completely wrong impression about him.
A good photographer should pay attention to this information and be able to listen to your preferences and boundaries.
Discuss the people and moments that matter to you
A photographer can document an event beautifully and still miss the photographs that matter most to you.
This is particularly important when choosing an event or wedding photographer.
If there are specific family photographs, people or moments that you consider essential, tell your photographer.
Providing a plan for the official photographs, the timing and the general schedule of the event is essential.
I always ask about these things beforehand and, when appropriate, visit the venue in advance. This allows me to understand the possibilities and potential challenges of the location before the event begins.
I also make an effort to remember the faces and names of the key people I need to photograph. This helps me make sure that the important people don't disappear into the crowd.
Because sometimes the photograph you will treasure most isn't the most artistic photograph of the day.
It might simply be a photograph of your parents together or your grandparents.
How about your closest friends? Or the people who travelled hundreds of miles to celebrate with you.
A photographer needs to know what matters to you.
©2026 Leticia Gaidon Bradford Photography. All Rights Reserved.
Difference between Good photography and The right photography
A photographer might produce beautiful, perfectly lit photographs, but if the style feels too sexy, too formal, too traditional, too editorial, too candid, or simply unlike you, you probably won't love the result.
This is why choosing a photographer should go beyond looking at their portfolio and asking about their price.
When you feel that a photographer has done a good job, it is often because they took the time to understand you at a deeper level:
They understood what you wanted.
They understood what you didn't want.
They understood what mattered to you.
And they created photographs that reflected that understanding.
Good photography is subjective. The right photography is personal.
Next Sunday, I'll continue exploring this topic and look at some of the other things you should consider before choosing your photographer.
If you would like to learn more about my portfolio or understand how my process works, you are very welcome to book a free consultation with me.
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Bye for now.