San Jose's guide to finding a quality photographer

So, you're on a mission to capture those epic moments in photographs, huh? Well, you're in for a ride, because picking the right photographer is like finding the perfect puzzle piece for your album. Here's the lowdown on how to snag that quality photographer in San Jose who'll make your memories shine.

1. Find Your Photo Vibe Photographers have styles, just like your favorite music playlist. Take a peek at their pics and see if their vibe jives with yours. I am not just talking about editing like "light and airy" or for moody and dramatic. Check out how they pose their subjects. Are they all about candid, real-life shots or more into the classic, everybody-smile-at-the-camera kind of thing? Figure out what feels right for you. For my outdoor sessions I always have couple variations of the "photos for the grandparents" but most of my photos are candid. I also like to keep my editing true to color with a touch of "nostalgia" in there and cater to each photoshoot different and what makes their photos stand out the best.

2. Sneak a Peek at Full Galleries Anyone can rock a couple of killer shots, but you're looking for the real deal. Ask to see full gallieies from previous shoots. This gives you a sneak peek into what your entire album might look like. You want consistency and awesomeness, not just a couple of standouts. This is especially true for wedding photography.

3. The Real Family Deal Families come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of chaos. Your perfect photographer should be able to handle it all. Check if their portfolio includes a mix of families – from the classic insta-ready photos to the wild and wonderfully imperfect bunches. Their website and instagram is only going to have their best photos. Quite often, there will be photos only of the "model-like-attractive" subject, so often times it is hard to define if the photos is really good or if the subjects were "attractive". A photographer who can captures the real you in a beautiful print-worthy photo is the golden ticket.

4. Quality Trumps Quantity It's not about getting a gazillion pics. It's about snagging those magic moments that make your heart do a happy dance. Be wary of photographers promising hours and hundreds of shots. The real gems often happen in the blink of an eye. A skilled photographer can capture your family's essence in a shorter time. In fact, OUR LITERAL job is to capture moments between moments so a photographer should not need hours on end to get good photos for you. I also believe that a toddler and a sassy teenager can't last more than an hour. ALSO, when was the last time you actually printed 40 photos for your wall from one single event? Having 10 or so quality images you can pick from is much more valuable that 150 subpar photos. For my one hour session I promise to deliver at least 60 images, any more then that are a bonus!

5. Don't Let Dollars Make the Call Yeah, we get it – great photographers can be pricey. But think of it as an investment in memories that'll outlast even the best fashion trends. Sometimes the cheaper option might leave you with photos you're not thrilled about and I have countless times where families come to me after having a bad experience. Quality matters more than a budget-friendly deal. Keep an eye out for special deals and mini sessions to get that premium experience through my newsletter! I have two mini sessions a year and during the holidays I temporarily slash my pricing so I can accommodate families who may be on a budget.

6. Faster Delivery DOES not mean everything

I totally get it, our attention spans are shorter than a goldfish's, and in this hyper-competitive world where businesses promise lightning-fast deliveries, it's easy to assume that a photographer who promises quick photo delivery is the best choice. But here's the scoop: that might not be the case, and here's why. You see, as a small business owner, I wear many hats. I don't outsource anything; it's just me, myself, and I. That means I handle everything from marketing and HR to sifting through and editing photos, offering assistance, and dealing with customer relations. After a photoshoot, I personally sift through the countless photos (trust me, weddings can yield a whopping 7000+ shots!), carefully selecting which ones deserve that special hand-editing treatment. While I always strive to get your photo gallery to you within a week, I'll admit there are occasions when I might miss that mark and have to deliver a bit later than I'd like. But here's the bright side: the reason for this delay is that I've been swamped with other photoshoots, which means I'm in high demand! So do not let the long gallery delivery timeframe deter you, it could just mean that your photographer is just THAT good.

7. Do Some Online Detective Work Stalk, don't be ashamed! Check out your potential photographer's online game. Do they keep their website and social media fresh? If they're active and up-to-date, it's a sign that they're invested in their craft and down with the latest trends. A mentor had asked me this one time "Why would a client want to invest into you if you are not going to invest into your own business?". This question really resonated with me as I was able to quickly understand how passionate other small business owners were by looking at small clues. Are they blogging consistently? Are they posting consistently on social media? If yes, chances are that they are keeping their clientele and future clients engaged with their business and they feel personally obliged to "care about their own business." As for me, I am constantly investing back my time and income I have earned into becoming a better photographer and also a small business owner and I understand how crucial it is to start building trust through various social media platforms. A photographer who's in the loop will give you pics that scream "now" but stay timeless.

8. Ditch the "years" of experience

Just because some photographers have been at it longer doesn't necessarily mean they've got it all figured out. This really hits home for me because I'm relatively new to the photography scene compared to a lot of folks out there. You know, those photographers who proudly declare on their about pages, "I picked up a camera when I was just 6 months old, and I knew photography was my destiny." Well, that's not my story.

I stumbled into photography almost by accident. I remember the day I picked up a broken camera, and something clicked. My journey started with family sessions, and ironically, it began with a not-so-great personal experience during my own family session. When I booked my first paid maternity session, I went into research overdrive. I rehearsed in my mind, practiced posing prompts with my family, and deep down, I felt a knack for making people feel confident.

You see, in my book, photography isn't just about nailing the perfect exposure; it's also about having a talent for the social side of things and translating that vision onto the camera. Don't get me wrong; there are tons of incredibly talented photographers who excel in this aspect, and I look up to them. However, I've also crossed paths with numerous photographers who've been at it for "years" but seem to focus solely on perfecting their technical skills, often neglecting the art of making their subjects feel at ease.

I genuinely believe my strength lies in helping people feel comfortable and have fun during a photoshoot. I'm also a firm believer that technical skills are something you should always be open to learning and improving. That's what keeps my passion for this job alive – the fact that there's always something new to discover and master.

So there you have it, your ultimate guide to hunting down the family photographer of your dreams. It's all about matching styles, getting the real deal, valuing quality, and doing a bit of online snooping. These pics will tell your family's story for generations, so don't settle for anything less than totally amazing!