There are many great photographers out there.  Some photographers specialize in certain aspects of photography like products, commercial, corporate, decor, documentary, fashion, wedding or people portraiture. Some are freelance and may engage successfully in a number of different aspects of photography. For all intents and purposes, this article refers to finding a good 'people' photographer.

With the advent of digital photography and photographic software (to tweek and manipulate images), the past 10 years or has seen huge interest in photography, where all the technical and creative boundaries are constantly being pushed.  The result being a wide variety of photographers with many different styles to choose from.

If it's 'people photography' you're interested in, then you need to make sure you see eye to eye with your photographer, because that will influence the outcome of your photos. Feel comfortable with the way you and your children interact with the photographer.  I recall one client saying that a previous photographer had hardly interacted with her baby, had not so much as picked her up or made any discernable effort to develop a rapport with her child. That being said, we all get along differently, and some just manage people better than others. Ask lots of questions, like "How long have you been doing this? What kind of photography do you specialize in?  How can we personalize a shoot for my family?"  For more specifics on Weddings, see my article in the wedding section.

Ask to see a good cross-section of work. Their website should tell you much. You also need to make sure you're on the same platform as your photographer when it comes to the style of imaging you're looking for.   His or her portfolio should give you a good indication of whether the style you're looking for is in sync with theirs - because they're not going to change their style for your shoot. Some photographers do have a successful 'pattern' for shooting, especially when it comes to weddings, or studio work.  If you're looking for something fairly well-orchestrated and styled, then that is the kind of photographer you might choose.  Many studios and photographers still shoot high quality, beautiful images this way.

If, on the other hand, you're looking for images that are a little more fresh and natural, taken with a discerning but spontaneous eye, then you would look for a photographer whose portfolio reflects as much.  These photographers often refer to themselves as 'reportage' or 'documentary' style photographers in view of the fact that they capture the essence of the occasion in a unique fashion. They live the emotions of the families, couples or little ones they photograph and strive to capture every endearing detail.  Their preference might be to shoot outdoors on location with natural-light.  With ambient lighting and an unlimiting, natural or open environment the images will tell an honest, unique story.  Ambient lighting has its own challenges, so be ready to be a little inconvenienced if your photographer tells you a 6am or 6pm shoot is ideal light-wise, depending on where you live.  Remember these are life-time images, and the results will be well worth the effort!

Many contemporary photographers have embraced this route as more and more clients are insisting on less 'stuffy' images. Of course I am particularly partial to documentary style imaging as I feel these images are valuable story-telling journals. There's a refreshing kind of honesty to these images compared with formal portraits.  Again, its just a matter of personal choice.  Each persons photographic preferences are personal and subjective too.  For instance. many parents want all smiley shots of their kids.  As a rule, I never ask little ones to smile - if they're going to smile, I feel it must be a spontaneous reaction.  Although I absolutely love the gregarious shots, I often gravitate toward the more pensive shots for my portfolio.  Those images are often more insightful.  Although parents want to see the emotions of happiness & joy in their children, the truth of the matter is that children are little people and they experience, even if it is to a lesser degree, the same emotions as adults. Documentary style photography should tell the whole story, as wide a range of emotions as possible.  A documentary style photographer will not be orchestrating the shoot every inch of the way.  They may make suggestions and the shoot will unfold naturally.  They may need to be incredibly patient with newborn, babies and toddlers...

I will tell you something surprising at this point.  I was chatting to another professional photographer about getting great images (of school age little ones) regardless of the circumstances or the mood of the child.  His comment in passing was..."as long as you get shots that are just a little better than what a client can take, they will be thrilled ..."  Parents non-stop tell me how much they loathe the school portraits their children bring home ... I think some photographers just lose their enthusiasm, or perhaps they have never worked outside the school photo genre... Or maybe they just buy cheap lenses ... Whatever the case, you should get a gut feel for a photographer who is not passionate about their work. 

In summary, if you're looking for a great photographer, I recommend doing lots of research on the internet (search for specifics like "specialist child photographer Sandton" etc), view lots of portfolios and remember to read the testimonials of those photographers.  Bear in mind too that there is no perfect recipe for natural people or family shots other than a photographer who is chilled, has a discerning eye, uncompromised equipment, a good sense of humour and a way of translating an occasion or a family shoot into a picture book story.  
 
Images are a life-time investment to be enjoyed, laughed at and wept over.  These are the images future generations will cherish.  Make a wise choice.