What are some good questions to ask a potential corporate photographer candidate?

Answer 1

I would want to know if they prefer digital, slide, or print film and why.

I would want to know if their experience fits with my subject matter. Technical skills vary when you go from landscape to products to people and events.

I would want to know about their people skills. This person might be spending a lot of time in public view as a representative of the corporation.

I would want to know if they were reliable and on time. Events wait for no photographer.

Answer 2

Ask to see the portfolio, ask who previous clients were (and follow up with at least 3, preferably 5), ask what associations they are with (and do YOUR homework so you know the difference between someone who's a member of, or a candidate for, membership in ASMP, "Black Star," or Getty Images - or will never graduate from the local PP of A Society or camera club...)

...and have them describe their working methods with shooting 1. a department's business meeting, 2.) a special occasion (say, a retiree's party or holiday occasion, and 3) how long would it take to shoot the CEO in a.) his office setting b.) a remote location - like an airport, and c) an informal setting, at a hotel lounge outside a conference room.

Answers to your satisfaction should include a pleasing, coherent and readily descernible style; flexible handling of lighting situations (watch for "overly-lit" scenes which is too much, or careless handling of light) Are there several types of lighting exhibited, or are things always the same?

Be sensitive to camera film / digital formats - are they used appropriately? What kind does he use? Will he be willing to use his own gear upon occasion? (He may, but you the corporation should provide if he is to be an employee)

...and the candidate should have an outgoing personality. The withdrawn introvert who wants to shoot "his vision" is not your guy. Ask a member of your local ASMP chapter to help define photographic terms, if you are not knowledgeable yourself...

Oh, and the CEO should be photographed in less than 10 minutes. The setup - out of eyesight and earshot of the CEO - can take days, if necessary - but the CEO should be required to be "on set" no more than the ten minutes. PERIOD.

He (the CEO) may want to stay longer, and that's OK - but, if not - you both could be looking for new jobs...One final thing - if makeup, like powdering the forehead or nose is necessary - that's still part of the ten...

Answer 3

I look/request to look at their resume and work portfolio as well as their current work and published work ahead of time before you meet them in person, to get a non-judgmental idea of the person’s talents. Not only do I request their personal references but some of their past/current client listings. While looking at their resume and portfolio I develop questions off or around that…experience and development possibilities what will be needed to develop that photographer for my corporate business needs. I would also ask/want to know what their computer technical skills are or can be. So much of the corporate worlds work is done digitally but knowing the “old” basics and having an artistic eye is important when working with such a wide array of mediums that you do in the corporate world; large stones that are mono toned to paper products, which are flat, to live people and animals that are temperamental to the action events a corporation might sponsor. Corporate & people skills are extremely important the photographer’s attitude will come out in their work and reflect the attitude of the company So they would need to be flexible and understanding and hard working.

Answer 4

It depends on what they are going to be photographing.

If I'm going to hire someone to photograph my clothing line, I'd ask
1) Let me see your portfolio
2) Who all have you done clothing photographs for
3) Do you do it on location or do you have a studio
4) What kinda prices do you charge
5) Do you photograph them agianst a white background or on a model
6) Are you insured - if you take all our images, and you lose them all, then what?
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The questions depends on the industry really.

A portfolio is a must
A client list is a must
A price list is a must

other than that, look at other companies that do what you do and look at their product line, see how it's photographed and ask the photographer if they can do the same thing.

Answer 5

Ask for their portfolio, that should provide all the information you need.

Answer 6

When they started photography, where they studied at, who they've worked for