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Angie's List: Hiring A Family Photographer

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - When was the last time your family had their picture taken? Do you have a new addition to the family that you want to capture?

Angie's List has some tips to keep in mind while working with a professional photographer to get that picture perfect.

For Adrienne Miller, her daughters are growing up very quickly. So, the mother of three decided to hire a professional photographer to capture them before they grow up.

"They're really important because one goes by so fast, and three goes by so fast, and I love too how they have pictures together and then interacting and how they hug and how they kiss and even just how they look at each other is sweet, so I'm excited to have that that always captured to see it," Miller said.

But gone are the days of the still shots. Today, the trend is taking candid pictures of the family.

A simple way to check a photographer's style is to look at their portfolio on their website.

"A lot of people come to me and say I saw on your blog, these smiling pictures or laughing pictures. They're just playing or not necessarily looking at the camera. And that's exactly what they want. They don't want the awkward posing smile say cheese kind of things anymore, which is fine by me," photographer Jessica Johnston said.

Talk to the photographer prior to the session about the kind of look you want and the results you want to achieve, especially if you have younger children.

"I think a few things to keep in mind when you're shooting little ones is timing. Usually, families want a morning session because kids are happier in the morning, they've just been fed. They can be clean from the night before. You don't have to worry about the day's grime on them or anything," Johnston said.

"Having family photos done can run anywhere from a couple of hundred to a thousand dollars. The key here is understanding how they price and what they are getting. How much is a sitting fee, how much is it per sheet of photo that you have done with them?" Angie Hicks from Angie's List said.

Before you sign a contract with a photographer, make sure you understand all the details. This includes who will have the rights to the high-resolution images, if you have unlimited copyrights, and if you are okay with your photos being used for their marketing purposes.

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