Find a photographer near you
A photographer plans, shoots and edits photos for weddings, portraits, families, events, products and businesses. People hire one when the moment matters or the photos will be used for business. A good photographer shows full galleries, not just highlights, and puts delivery and usage rights in a written contract.
Find photographers by city
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Philadelphia, PA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Austin, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- Columbus, OH
- Charlotte, NC
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Nashville, TN
- El Paso, TX
- Washington, DC
- Boston, MA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Portland, OR
- Detroit, MI
- Memphis, TN
- Louisville, KY
- Baltimore, MD
- Milwaukee, WI
- Albuquerque, NM
- Fresno, CA
- Tucson, AZ
- Sacramento, CA
- Kansas City, MO
- Mesa, AZ
- Atlanta, GA
- Omaha, NE
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Raleigh, NC
- Long Beach, CA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Miami, FL
- Oakland, CA
- Minneapolis, MN
- Tulsa, OK
- Bakersfield, CA
- Wichita, KS
- Arlington, TX
What do photographers do?
- Wedding photography
- Engagement shoots
- Family and newborn portraits
- Headshots
- Event photography
- Product photography
- Real estate photography
- Senior and graduation portraits
- Pet photography
- Corporate and brand shoots
How do you choose a good photographer?
- Ask to see full galleries from past events, not just a highlight reel.
- Pick a style you like: posed, candid, bright, dark or documentary.
- Get a written contract with hours, number of edited photos, delivery time and usage rights.
- Ask what happens if they are sick or have an emergency on your date.
- Ask how they back up and store your photos.
- Meet or call first to see if you are comfortable with them.
Photographers are not licensed as a trade, though some venues require liability insurance and commercial drone photography needs federal certification.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Can I see full galleries of past events like mine?
- How many edited photos will I get, and when?
- Who owns the photos, and what can I use them for?
- Do you have a backup photographer?
- Do you have liability insurance?
- What is your deposit and cancellation policy?
Red flags to watch for
- Only a few portfolio images and no full galleries.
- No written contract.
- Unclear about delivery time or usage rights.
- Very low price with no backup plan for big events.
What changes the price?
- Hours of coverage
- Number of edited images
- Second shooter or assistant
- Travel and location
- Prints, albums and products
- Usage rights for commercial work
Questions people ask
How far ahead should I book a wedding photographer?
Many couples book well in advance, especially for popular dates. Smaller sessions often need only a few weeks.
Do I get the raw files?
Many photographers deliver only edited images. If you want raw files, ask and get it in the contract.
What should I wear for a portrait session?
Wear solid colors or soft patterns that suit the setting. Avoid big logos. Ask your photographer for advice.