Hiring a Photographer for Special Occasions | Washington DC Family Photographer

Have you considered how you’d like to remember your family’s special occasions?

I know you’re not really going to rely on grandma’s iPhone for the photographs of the significant ceremonies in your life. Right? Right??? (I’m gonna need to hear you say it.)

Because you and I both know that you can’t leave it to an iPhone and a Shutterfly gallery to ensure that your kids can look back at these occasions and see all the love and attention and care that went into them. We agree: you’re too smart for that.

Your kids definitely will go back to the photographs. They’ll go back to them to find joy and inspiration in the meaning behind every detail. They’ll go to see the aunts and uncles and cousins, looking so very young, who came to celebrate. They’ll peer closely at those loved ones who’ve passed on. They’ll glean the memories that will guide them, when it’s time to present their own children, how the rituals look and feel.

We agree that, a) these photos are super important to you and to your kids. And b) You are not going to leave this important record in the hands of camera-phone-wielding, well-meaning relatives who may or may not actually handle getting them saved to a secure location, much less printed where the kids can actually SEE them.

Now that we know that, let’s answer the common questions about hiring a photographer for your special occasions.

1) How much is this gonna cost?

We can be honest here: you know this shouldn’t be your first question, but dang it, it IS your first question. It’s ok - this is a safe space. I don’d mind the question.

If you hire me, your investment will be about $1,200. For that, you get the expertise of a photographer who has photographed families at home and in many special occasions in Washington DC for over a decade.

You can definitely find photographers who will charge you less - but you need to know that lower costs generally mean less experience, less confidence and lower quality gear. While that’s fine for a 20 minute mini-session in gorgeous light outside with a pretty field behind you, it’s a real gamble in a location where the variables are endless and there are no redos.

This means my cameras are top notch and I use them to their fullest potential - they don’t flinch in low light at the back of the sanctuary, and neither do I. They’re ready for dancing whether it’s daylight or crazy DJ strobes.

In my thirteen years of photographing families professionally, I’ve honed the skills of capturing important moments without having to stage them, in whatever lighting there is, with respect for the somber moments, and readiness for all the sparks of emotion, love, humor and delight that come with it.

2) Do I need a photographer of the same faith as our family?

This is a great question. Maybe yes, and maybe no. Partly it’s your preference. If you’d like your photographer to share an intimate knowledge of the unfolding moments, then yes. But there’s also benefit to a photographer who can see each moment with fresh eyes and a sense of curiosity.

The important thing is to hire a photographer who is flexible and prepared. A great photographer for you is going to ask ahead of time what are the key moments you most want to see in your photos. Is one of the readings from a relative who lives overseas, rarely home, and that’s an absolute must-have shot? Are photos with siblings super important to you? Are you incorporating anything non-traditional into the occasion that has special meaning you want to document?

The right photographer for you will ensure they’re prepared to create your photo record of the day. I think that helps more than whether the photographer is of your same faith tradition.

3) Do I need a “family photographer”, or an “event photographer”?

I’m biased, but family occasions benefit from a family photographer. Here’s what to look for particularly though: a family photographer who knows how to think like an event photographer, and like a photo journalist, and like a parent. Right? Your photographer should know how to capture beautiful photographs as things are happening without needing to pose you or direct you or (god forbid!) ask you do something over again. But then they should also be able to gracefully direct everyone for those big family portraits you may want! It’s not so much a certain type of photographer, it’s about their experience with the kind of photographs you need.

4) What should I be getting from the photographer?

You need tangible ways to see and enjoy the photos and a means to preserve them as keepsakes for your kids. Right? Yes you probably need the digital files because you’d like to post some to social media and share them with family who didn’t make it. Put one on your phone home screen. All that jazz. But please don’t stop there. “Think of the children!”

Unless you are planning to hand the kids your phone anytime they feel a desire to see how they looked for that special occasion or remember who was there or when dad still had hair, don’t rely on digital files to do the work of sustaining your family record.

You need a box of prints, or an album left in a place the kids can look at it, and maybe a photo or three for the wall. A photographer is doing you a disservice when they only give you digital files. It’s like if you went a Michelin Star restaurant and the chef brought a grocery bag of ingredients for his signature dish to your table and told you to enjoy your meal! No way! You came there for the CHEF to cook for you. Expect as much from a skilled professional photographer - let us “plate” your photographs properly in a dish that will please your senses.

I tend toward recommending heirloom quality albums so that your photographs are presented like a story of your day. That’s why an album in included in my base rate. It’s not an extra you have to buy, because it’s how I like to “plate” the photographs I take, to be enjoyed for years to come. I also include the digital files of your photos in your rate, in a secure online gallery you can access anytime, and share with family near and far.

These are the most common questions that come up around hiring a photographer for special occasions. Do you have a question I have not covered? Please leave a comment with your question, and I’ll reply. Or use the contact me button above to send me your question privately. I’m here to help!

Here are some of my favorite images from photographing baptisms in Washington DC.

Proud dad catches my eye as I photograph the twins in line with other excited families, for baptism at a large Capitol Hill Catholic church.

Parents Brian & Katie show pride and happiness as the twins receive the Rite of Baptism.

Babies have no sense of solemnity!

Big brother William assists the deacon at his sister Eva’s baptism in a private ceremony in a Bethesda Catholic church.

Her godfather applies oil to Eva’s forehead in part of the baptism ceremony.

Proud daddy holds a peaceful Eva as she is baptized.

A blessing is pronounced on Eva and her family as she is welcomed into the faith.

A happy moment during portraits after the ceremony.

Here are a few favorites from a Naming Ceremony with a family I’ve been photographing for for many years.

A little pause to keep baby Charlotte happy during the celebration of her Naming.

Each grandparent read a Psalm, then wrapped one corner of the tallit over Charlotte.

Charlotte’s extended family is an interfaith family, and they all come together with traditions that embrace faith and hopes common to all.

“Every child comes intdo the world with a message: that God is not discouraged with us. For with every child comes the hope for new possibilities. Every child brings fresh energy into the world for greater fulfillment and purpose to all the lives that surround it. Each soul is testemony to our conviction that we still believe that life is good, that life is worthwhile. The hope is here. That hope is our celebration, as we give that hope a new name.” - excerpt from Charlotte’s blessing, from the Jewish Reform movement liturgy

Family and friends join in clapping together and singing “Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu”, which means “Peace will come upon us, yet”.

Through her Naming Ceremony, Charlotte is brought into the Jewish covenant, and then there’s lots of hugging and eating.

Here’s a selection of images from one of many bar and bat mitzvahs I’ve had the delight to photograph.

The Torah in Ali’s synagogue, open to the passage she will read for her bat mitzvah.

Ali and her father pose for a portrait before the service begins.

Ali and her friends get their bling on for the photo booth at the bat mitzvah party.

I love photos of the kids being lifted in the chair, but the moment right before it happens is pretty awesome too - that flash of “maybe this isn’t a good idea!” always precedes the laughter and joy of being danced around above everyone’s heads.

An exuberant round of “YMCA” rounds out an afternoon of fun, friends and food.

These are from an all-day Photo session of First Communion.

Violet watches as her mom steams any wrinkles out of the veil she will wear for her First Communion.

Almost ready to go, Violet observes herself, keeping still while her mom pins the veil in place.

All the girls who will receive their first communion together inspect each others’ dresses, veils and jewelry.

The chatter dies down as the children move into the chapel where they wait until time to go before the congregation.

After the service, Violet and her friends admire their certificates and gifts.

Getting silly outside the church following the service.

Lots of photos are taken with relatives who’ve come to witness and celebrate with Violet.

I loved this little moment between the service and the party afterward - Violet’s been going all day and this little moment of collapse happened before she rallied and enjoyed the afternoon with friends and family.

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While you’re here, explore more of my family photography. A lot of my work is done for families in the course of a normal day, no special occasion required.