The Photo Session Search Struggle – find the right Wilmette area photographer

I am not quite sure what most of you go through when searching for a photographer. I have had some of my clients for years. Have they stayed with me because they love me and my work? Or is it more love the one you’re with situation?

Finding a photographer is hard work.
I won’t blame you if it is the later. This is coming from a photographer who belongs to a large network of referrals. This should be easy for me. I KNOW what I want. But, do I? Really? The process of finding and hiring a photographer can, in itself, be the reason you end up putting off family photos.

First is deciding the style you want. Do you want lifestyle or documentary or fine art? Next you research photographers with that style but you have to also take into account your budget and location. Do you want to travel to a photographer you love or search harder for one near by for a location you love? Then there is that fun part of reaching out for package pricing and putting it all into a spreadsheet to compare what you can afford. We have now narrowed down the list based on desired style and budget, but are any available on the dates you wanted? If you are anything like me, that may be a “fat chance in hell” because photographers book up months in advance.
Basically, while I was doing all this research and deciding there went my window to book.

This is my journey of finding a photographer. I had it narrowed down based on the above factors and was going to let my husband decide. But then wardrobe came into play. I HAD wanted lifestyle photos of us in our new house that was the whole goal of this shoot. Of course then I found some dresses I LOVED and during my weaning raging hormone stage, apparently just HAD TO HAVE. And, did I even want photos in our house anymore? Nothing was done, no decorations, things are just haphazardly put together. We don’t have a ton of fun memorable activities that I want to capture right now.

Do I really want to do lifestyle photos in couture gowns in a house I am not hugely fond of?
Do I got back to stage one?

Oh MY GOSH! The spiral downward is fast. Maybe you cannot relate specifically to these circumstances, but I bet you have faced a similar negative thought loop that has enabled you to put off family photos for longer than you should be.

I am here to tell you to jump out of that loop.
JUST DO IT. I don’t care what it takes.
Sacrificing on the budget or the style or the worry about wardrobe. Plan your photos. Put down a deposit so you are stuck with it.

I was lucky to find an amazing local that met all my marks and was super understanding with all my craziness and then even had me photograph her own family. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am with how everything turned out. Even up to the date of the session I was second guessing my plans and I am thrilled I finally sucked it up and just pushed on through. Plus it made me get my $#!t together and throw together some decorations.

Thank you Lauren for these amazing family photos. I will forever cherish them.

Photos by https://laurenmichelle-photography.com/