Selecting A Chicago Family Photographer

You may have read our article on the 5 Steps to Choosing a Chicago Family Photographer – a wonderful resource that goes into depth about the qualities you should consider while evaluating photographers. With so many photographers in Chicago and limited guidance for consumers, we saw a gap between available information and actionable answers.

We have taken it a step further and developed a FREE interactive worksheet for you to use while assessing photographers. This “Selecting a Chicago Family Photographer” worksheet will help you assess potential photographers in a way that is fairly objective, allowing you to assess their skillset and portfolio in a cohesive and logical way. It’s designed with weighted questions allowing you to zero in on the qualities that separate a good photographer worth considering from the rest.

We don’t collect or store any of your data – this tool is completely private.

I cannot tell you how many times (easily over a hundred!) a client inquiry has asked whether the images on our site are real clients or staged with friends. They mention being burned by other photographers before. This worksheet provides you the guidance to ask the right questions of your potential photographer.

Marmalade Photography serves our families and the photography shopping public at large. We aim to help you balance the visual oohs and aahs with real, logic-based information gathering woven into “gut instinct” and aesthetic preferences rather than just operating on sheer vibes.

Even if you don’t choose us for your session, we hope you find this resource valuable. Click to the download area for the printable or fill out the interactive form below.

Selecting a Chicago Family Photographer – Worksheet

5 Steps to Selecting a
Chicago Family Photographer

A Worksheet by Marmalade Photography

Use this worksheet for each photographer you are considering. The photographer with the highest score AND all Yes answers in Step 5 is your photographer. Any No in Step 5 means keep looking – regardless of total score.

Photographer Name

Website

Date

Current Score 0 / 29

Step 1 — Define Your Style Preference

No scoring — self-discovery

Complete this section once before researching photographers. Know what you want before you start looking – your answers are your reference guide for Step 2.

Setting

Studio Lifestyle / In-Home Outdoor Mix

Editing Style

Bright & Airy Rich & Moody Natural / True-to-Life No Preference

Color vs B&W

Color Black & White Mix of Both

Formality

Posed & Traditional Candid & Documentary Mix

Wardrobe

Formal & Coordinated Casual & Relaxed Mix

Step 2 — Research Photographers

0 / 5 pts

Portfolio is consistent in quality across multiple sessions – not just a few highlight images +1 pt

Willing to show a full session preview upon request +1 pt

Has been in business 5+ years +1 pt

Shows evidence of continuing education – workshops, industry involvement, ongoing creative development +1 pt

Specializes in what I need – children, families, newborns, seniors, etc. +1 pt

Step 2 Score: 0 / 5

Step 3 — Personality Fit

0 / 8 pts

Responsive and clear in communication – emails answered promptly, questions addressed thoroughly +2 pts

Listens to my vision rather than pushing their own agenda +2 pts

Shows genuine enthusiasm and interest in my family – not just another booking +2 pts

Explains their process clearly – I know what to expect from session to delivery +2 pts

Step 3 Score: 0 / 8

Step 4 — Investment

0 / 4 pts

Took time to understand my family’s specific needs before discussing investment +1 pt

I understand what is included – session, products, digital files, timeline +1 pt

The investment reflects their experience, expertise, and product quality +1 pt

I feel confident in the value – this feels like an investment in artwork, not just a purchase +1 pt

Step 4 Score: 0 / 4

Step 5 — Gut Check

0 / 12 pts

Every answer here must be Yes. A single No means keep looking – regardless of your total score. Your gut knows things your analytical brain might miss.

Their work moves me emotionally – I feel something when I look at their images

Y N

+3 pts

I feel heard and valued in every interaction with them

Y N

+3 pts

I am genuinely excited about working with them – not just fine with it

Y N

+3 pts

I can envision them capturing my family authentically – not performing, just being us

Y N

+3 pts

⚠   One or more No answers in Step 5 — trust that feeling and keep looking.

Step 5 Score: 0 / 12

Total Score 0 / 29 Complete the worksheet above to see your result.

Score Guide

24 – 29 Exceptional fit — trust your gut and book them

17 – 23 Strong contender — ask a few follow-up questions

10 – 16 Some concerns — proceed carefully

0 – 9 Keep looking

Notes

🖶 Print This Worksheet Reset

Marmalade Photography  |  marmaladephotography.com  |  Chicago Family & Children Photography since 2005

This Selecting a Chicago Family Photographer Worksheet by Marmalade Photography is © Marmalade Photography and may not be altered for usage without express permission from Marianne Drenthe/Marmalade Photography.

Looking for more guidance? Visit professionalchildphotographer.com for additional resources.

Click here if you’d rather download a PDF of the worksheet or click on the image to the left.

Feel free to print out several copies as you go through photographer websites and evaluate if their work and your ideas for your photography session align.

Marianne Drenthe (Marmalade Photography) is the author of the client education and faq site www.professionalchildphotographer.com which has additional client education and resources.

This resource Selecting a Chicago Family Photographer Worksheet is provided as a courtesy and is © Marmalade Photography/Marianne Drenthe. Not to be re-used, re-purposed or altered in any way without expression permission from the copyright holder. Disclaimer: This tool is provided as a service and Marmalade Photography does not retain any information from your usage of filling this form out.