What to Look for When Hiring a Photographer

Hiring a photographer can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. In recent years, the market has seen an influx of newer photographers offering lower prices. While cost is a valid consideration, it shouldn’t be the only factor guiding your decision. Your photos capture moments you’ll never get back, so choosing the right photographer is crucial. Here’s what to look for to ensure you hire a professional who meets your expectations:

1. Consistency

A key hallmark of a skilled photographer is consistency. Review their portfolio and look for uniformity in the quality of their work. Do the lighting, colors, and editing styles match across various shoots? Inconsistent work can indicate a lack of experience or a tendency to rely on luck rather than skill. You want someone who can deliver exceptional results every time.

2. Quality

High-quality photography stands out. Look closely at the details: Are the images sharp? Are the colors natural and well-balanced? Do they have a professional finish? High-quality photos are more than just pretty pictures; they’re crafted with technical precision and artistic vision.

3. Experience

Experience matters. An experienced photographer has encountered a wide range of scenarios and knows how to adapt to challenges, whether it’s tricky lighting, a demanding schedule, or unexpected weather. They also understand how to manage clients, timelines, and shot lists to ensure a smooth process.

Reputation speaks volumes. Take the time to read reviews and testimonials from previous clients. Look for patterns in feedback: Do clients praise their professionalism, communication, and final results? Pay attention to how the photographer handles critiques or suggestions.

4. Professionalism

Professionalism extends beyond taking photos. How does the photographer communicate? Do they provide clear contracts and set expectations upfront? A professional photographer will treat your project with care and ensure your experience is as stress-free as possible.

5. Investment vs. Price

While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, remember that photography is an investment. A lower price often reflects limited experience, cheaper equipment, or rushed editing. Investing in a professional ensures you’ll receive photos you’ll cherish for years to come.

6. Creative Vision

A great photographer brings more to the table than technical skill; they bring creativity. Look for someone whose work resonates with you, who tells stories through their images, and who is excited to collaborate on your vision.

7. Reliability

The best photographer is one you can trust. They should show up on time, deliver on promises, and meet deadlines without fail. Reliability comes from professionalism, organization, and respect for your time and investment.

Final Thoughts

When hiring a photographer, take the time to evaluate their consistency, quality, experience, and professionalism. A higher price often reflects these qualities and is worth the investment for timeless, beautiful images. Remember, photos are more than just pictures—they’re memories captured forever.

At Alan Combs Photography, we pride ourselves on delivering consistent, high-quality results with years of experience across various photography styles. If you’re looking for a photographer who values your vision and delivers exceptional results, let’s connect!

The Value of Team and Individual Sports Photos

For parents, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching your child thrive in their favorite sport. Capturing these moments through professional team and individual photos ensures you’ll have cherished keepsakes of their athletic journey. At Alan Combs Photography, we’re committed to providing families with high-quality sports portraits that highlight their athlete’s dedication and spirit.

What Sets Our Team and Individual Photos Apart

Our approach to team and individual sports photography is built on professionalism, efficiency, and a passion for showcasing each athlete’s unique personality. Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:

  1. Seamless Pre-Order Process: We offer a simple pre-order system for parents. Before photo day, you’ll have the opportunity to select the photo packages that work best for you, whether you want prints, digital downloads, or specialty items like magnets and photo buttons.

  2. Professional On-Site Setup: On photo day, we bring top-of-the-line equipment to ensure every athlete looks their best. From lighting to backdrops, we create a polished setup that highlights your child’s personality and pride in their sport.

  3. Quick Turnaround: We know you’re eager to see the results! After the photos are taken, we process and deliver prints within a couple of weeks, ensuring you have beautiful keepsakes to enjoy without a long wait.

How It Works

  1. Pre-Order Your Package: Before photo day, you’ll receive a flyer or email with details about our packages and pricing. Simply choose the option that best fits your needs and submit your order.

  2. Photo Day: On the scheduled date, we’ll photograph each athlete individually and the entire team together. We ensure every child feels comfortable and confident, capturing their best moments.

  3. Receive Your Prints: Within a few weeks, you’ll receive your order, complete with high-quality prints and any specialty items you selected.

Tips for a Successful Photo Day

To make sure your athlete’s photos turn out great, here are a few tips:

  • Come Prepared: Ensure your child’s uniform is clean and pressed. Don’t forget any gear or props that represent their sport.

  • Stay On Schedule: Arrive at the designated time to keep the session running smoothly.

  • Encourage Confidence: A smile and a positive attitude make all the difference in creating photos you’ll love.

Create Lasting Memories

Team and individual sports photos are more than just pictures—they’re a way to celebrate your child’s hard work and dedication. These images become treasured memories that you’ll look back on for years to come. At Alan Combs Photography, we’re honored to be part of preserving these special moments.

If your team is interested in scheduling a photo session, or if you’d like to learn more about our packages, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s make this season unforgettable!

MSHSAA State Cross Country

This year’s state meet was November 3rd & 4th at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, MO. I couldn’t make the Class 1 & Class 2 races, but I captured as much as possible from Classes 3, 4 & 5.

I love watching so many talented athletes race and trying to capture as much as I can of the races. However, when it’s all said and done, I end up with many photos that I want others to enjoy. After all, I believe these athletes should have photos of themselves racing.

Below you will find a link to the images if you would like to look through them. However, if you appreciate the photos, I’d love to have you follow me on Facebook and Instagram. It’s a simple way you can show your support.

All the images will be free to download for the personal use of the athletes, their parents, and their coaches. However, photography gear isn’t cheap, and I’m always looking to improve my work. If you feel inclined, tips can be sent to Alan-Combs-2 on Venmo. Either way, I appreciate you coming to my website and look forward to connecting with you.

If you download any images and post them to your social accounts, don’t forget to tag one of my accounts above. I’m always looking to connect!

Festival of Miles | Chasing the Sub 4 Minute Mile.

Every year, The Festival of Miles becomes better and better. If you haven’t heard about it before, it’s a track meet with youth and middle school races, high school races showcasing some of the nation’s top talent and pro races featuring Olympic-level athletes. Most of the events are focused around the mile, which a couple of races being only 800m. It started as a way to raise money for an athlete in need and continues to stay true to that mission.

We have been following Connor Burns and Simeon Birnbaum talk about their plans to run this race on The Running Effect podcast, so we made plans to attend to see what they guys were going to do. After all, if they were going to break the High School National Record, I wanted to see it.

That night, 4 High School Boys and 4 Elite Pro Athletes broke the 4 min mark. Simeon Birnbaum, Rocky Hanson, Tinoda Matsatsa, and Jackson Heidesch, all fought it out with all of them putting out PRs. Tinoda is the first black high schooler and Jackson Heidesch is the first Iowa High Schooler to ever break four. And we were there to watch and photograph the event.

I could go on and on about this event, but if you’re coming to my site, you’re likely looking for photos. Check them out at the link below. If you know someone that ran the race and they are looking for images, have them contact me.

Hoka sponsors this event every year. They make some of my favorite shoes. I'd highly recommend it if you haven’t given them a shot yet. Check out your local Fleet Feet to try them on. You won’t be disappointed.

MSHSAA State Track and Field | Class 3, 4, and 5

This past weekend, my wife and I spend 2 days photographing the MSHSAA State Track and Field Meet. As you may know by now, we have spent the last several months chasing the Fulton High School Track Team around the state to its various meets and this is the culmination of it all.

We only had two of athletes make it to state. Ethan Milius earned all-state with a fifth-place finish, and Gabe DeFily placed ninth, just off the podium.

We did meet a lot of other great athletes over the season as well. That’s one of the great things about track is that even if you are a rival school, you can make friends with those you compete with at every meet.

Mexico Missouri’s Morgan Grubb Pole Vaults at the 2023 State Track meet.

This was only one of a few times that we have photographed any event together like this. We were able to capture a lot of great images for athletes and got to witness so many things others might miss.

When you love running and the sport of Track and Field you can easily get sucked into wanting to see different athletes compete each week. You want them to succeed. You want them to throw farther, jump higher, run faster. You want to see them improve themselves week after week. You get invested in the story they are telling.

Class 3 Boys 1600m run.

I want to tell the stories of these athletes. I want them to share about what they go through. Their hard work. Their ups and down. I want them to know they don’t go unnoticed even if they aren’t winning every race. High school is hard. These kids need to know that what they do, does matter. It’s making an impact on someone whether they know it or not.

All the images we captured are free to view. If an athlete, coach, or parent wants to contact me for their athletes photo, I can work with you on a link that will allow you to download those images. These athletes deserve to have images to remember what they accomplished.

Check out the link below to see them all.

Downloads for athletes, parents, and coaches are free. If anyone feels like they want to contribute to the cause, I always take tips. My Venmo is Alan-Combs-2. This is just a little something I can do, to give back to the community.

MSHSAA Class 3 & 4 Districts | Connor Burns

Since Saturday, I’ve considered the best way to approach this blog post. Saturday’s MSHSAA Class 3 and 4 District meet in Wentzville, MO, was unlike any other meet I’ve ever witnessed. Twice in the middle of the meet, we had rain delays. There was lightning, heavy downpours, and enough wind to demolish canopies that weren’t staked down well.

As my son runs for the Fulton High School, I spent the day watching his teammates compete. Several of his teammates, like Ava Santhuff, Noah Thompson, and Kai Foster set PRs in their events. The school ended up sending several athletes to sectionals.

We were fortunate to watch a few of our other favorite athletes compete. Isaih Craighead and Tyler Grimes. Both are incredible athletes and it’s always fun to watch them compete.

Being from central Missouri, many people know of Connor Burns. He recently set the High School 5k record at 13:37 on the track at Track Fest in California. We’ve been watching him race for the last couple of years and just happened to be slated to race in the same location for districts as we were.

At this point, he is a local legend, and if you look through the photos above, you can see that he paced right along with Ben Chance, J.R. Lesher, and Quentin Hermann. These other boys are incredible athletes in their own right, but they happen to have to race Connor who is at another level.

I hope he will share what happened during the 3200m race on the Running Effect Podcast. You might be able to guess from the photos above, but it was pretty crazy to watch. If he doesn’t share, I’ll have to post more.

Class of 24 Senior Session Giveaway

Every year many seniors forgo having senior photos taken for one reason or another. I believe every senior deserves to have their memories captured so they and their parents can cherish them.

This year I am trying something new. I want to offer a chance for anyone to apply, either for themselves or someone they know, for an opportunity to have their senior photos taken for free.

I work hard to ensure each session is tailored to the senior and reflects who they are.

If you are a Class of 2024 senior, please complete this form. You can also fill it out if you are a parent or teacher and know of a deserving senior. The only qualification is that they have to live in Callaway County.

Fulton High School | Track & Field 2023

It’s been a busy month. We’ve been going to track meets throughout Mid-Missouri to capture Fulton athletes. One of the best aspects of going to each of the meets is watching these kids improve and getting to know their journey along the way.

It takes about ten days to see hard work pay off. Meaning the work you do today won’t truly impact your performance for ten days.

All season you watch, these athletes learn from each meet, conquer their mental challenges, and then you see improvements. For some athletes, the improvements are little. There is only so much time you can shave on in a 100 or 200. For others, like my son Noah, you can see 30+ seconds shaved off.

Like most things, physical training is only a portion of the battle. The mind can be so powerful. It can hold us back or, with the right work, allow us to break through barriers we never thought possible.

That is what I like about being around high school and college kids. They are often eager to learn, and really, for the most part, it’s helping them see what they are truly capable of.

If you want to see more images from this year’s track season, you can always check them out at the link below. It will be a link that will be continually updated until after the MSHSAA State track meet.

Fulton High School Track Meet | Montgomery City Early Invite 2023

If you have followed me long on social media, you know I have a passion for running, and everyone in my family runs in some capacity. My oldest son races as part of the Fulton High School Track Team, so we are at many of his races.

Last night was the Montgomery City Early Invite, which was cold and wet. I can’t remember the last time I saw high school athletes running in gear that wasn’t designed for performance. It’s early in the season, so they still have time to figure it out, but if you are looking through images and notice some unique attire, you know why.

I love getting to know each of the kids and seeing what they can do. I wish I had time to work with a few of them to help them learn how to strategize a race and think through their race beyond just what they have always done. Alas, I’m not their coach.

I’ll cheer on the athletes at as many meets as possible. I love seeing them grow and challenge themselves to new feats.

If you want to check out more photos, click the link below.

Fulton, MO | High School Senior Photos | Colton

Whenever I get a request from a high school senior parent about photographing their high school senior, one of the first things I try to figure out is what sort of things the senior is into. I want each session to be about the senior, not just your traditional photos.

Location

For this particular session, we went for something a bit different. Something more unique.

I’ve been shooting in Fulton, MO, for quite a few years and have often utilized the same locations as they do work well. However, I’ve noticed several other photographers using these locations lately and wanted to do something different. I wanted areas that hadn’t been used much before. I wanted places that pushed me to look creatively.

I did end up using one of the locations I have used more frequently in the past, but we spent quite a bit of time in a new area that I had been waiting for the right person to try some different shots with. This area felt like it fit the style we were going for. He even helped find a few different elements to incorporate that I hadn’t seen before.

Editing

With this session, I tried something I hadn’t tried before. His mom mentioned liking bright and airy images over darker, moodier ones. I have edited both routes in the past, and some photos call for a different type of editing. However, you must get certain photos for Mom in any session, including her kids. She is essential, and her opinion matters. After all, Mom is often the one paying for the session.

As I began editing, I decided to edit them two ways and provide both options on several images. Sometimes we want things the way we want them because we haven’t seen the possibilities.

My goal is always to make my clients love their images, so providing a couple of options with this session seemed right.

Do you know a student that needs senior photos? I’d love to work with them. Have their parent or guardian contact me at alan@alancombsphotography.com

Fulton High School Basketball

After watching the Fulton High School boy’ basketball team play the last few weeks, it would be fun to photograph some of their district play for my birthday.

We traveled to Westphalia, Mo, to watch them take on the Fatima High School team, expecting to see our boys dominate. They have had a series of great showings lately and are an aggressive team.

Unfortunately, the game didn’t end up going as planned.

They were fighting hard, but something was just different about this game. I could share my thoughts on the refs, the other team, and our team, but I’m no coach.

I’m sad I didn’t watch them play more this year, but I hope the team will return with a vengeance next year. They are losing some of their star players (who doesn’t like watching two teammates take turns dunking), but I know the game can look different next year and still be a good team.

If you'd like to check out more images from the game, you can check out the link below. All photos are free to download for parents and players. If you want to share them on social media, don’t forget to tag me or my business.

North Callaway Sectionals

Last night was a trip. I left the court feeling so deflated.

The North Callaway Thunderbirds put up a big fight all evening. From being up at the end of the first quarter 3-0 to going into halftime with a score of 12-6. The defense on both teams made the start of the game low scoring.

The game stayed low scoring even through the third quarter, with it ending 20-21, North Callaway finally down.

Then, the game ended in a tie. 33-33. I couldn’t believe it. Not only was it low scoring, but so close at the end, and it was a tie.

Then into overtime. Four minutes of playtime later, 40-40. Another overtime.

Another four minutes. 43-43. Yet another overtime. These teams continue to fight to see who will be the first to best the other team. It’s getting tense. The crowd is going wild.

With 1.8 seconds on the clock and what looks like we will be heading into another overtime, Cole Camp throws a last-minute, almost half-court three-pointer to win 54-51. The North Callaway team looked so defeated. They fought to stay ahead of the game, which came down to a lucky shot.

I felt so bad for them. They were so close. The energy was there, and they were still fighting hard. So hard to walk away from that.

I share all of that to say if you are interested, I’ve got quite a few photos available. They are free to download for the families of this year’s North Callaway High School Basketball team. Feel free to check them out at the link below.

North Callaway MSHSAA Class 3 District 7 Champs

Having grown up in Callaway County, most of our lives, my wife and I know quite a few people within the North Callaway School District. My wife graduated from North Callaway. I went to South Callaway and competed against them regularly.

Which brings me to February 24, 2023.

Earlier in the week my wife and I decided to go watch the school compete since we knew a few of the athletes. As I normally do, I made plans to take my cameras to see if I could capture a few images for memories.

Afterall, it’s been since 1999 since they have won districts in basketball.

And they won. They weren’t seeded to win, but they won. They knew what they needed to do, and they won.

It was such a great experience to be able to witness.

To check out the rest of the images from the game, click the Image Gallery button below. All images are free to download and use for personal use.

I don’t often shoot sports outside of cross country and track. It was quite an experience trying to get decent shots of the athletes with all that takes place. It was a fun experience either way.

A little side note. This was the first time I had been in the South Callaway gym since 2012. The Track and Field record board is up for everyone to see. Guess who’s name is still on there. But, that’s another story, for another time.

Fulton Courtwarming 2023

Several months ago, Fulton High School had its annual Homecoming dance. As usual, many high school kids dressed up, ate, took a few photos, and then went to the dance. My son was no exception.

Except as a photographer, I offered to photograph him, his date, and the friends he had with him. It worked well, and the students/parents were all happy to have quality photos.

This brings me to the Fulton High School Courtwarming.

Homecoming was such a hit that I started advertising that I would be available to shoot court-warming photos at an affordable cost. I love working with high school kids; it forced me out of the typical styles I would shoot; and put a little pressure on me to do it quickly.

It ended up being quite a success.

I spent over two hours photographing students and chatted with many of them about their plans for the rest of the evening. I even heard from parents later about how much they appreciated the opportunity and how happy they were with the photos.

I even had one of the students go in and leave me a review.

I’m thankful that I took the opportunity to do this and am looking forward to perhaps offering it again at Prom this year. Who knows, it may end up being something I offer year after year if it continues to be a success.

Missouri Real Estate Photography

Several years ago I started working on real estate photography. As my wife and I were looking at buying a house, the images I saw online were often sub-par and you could tell someone had just used their phone or point-and-shoot camera without the use of a tripod.

Experts say that quality photographs are one of the most important aspects of selling a home. It’s what people see when they are searching online. And yet, in some markets, people opt to not have the assistance of professionals.

An example of what you might get from your phone.

Taken using HDR and camera on a tripod.

Taking photos is so much more than just pushing a button. It’s knowing what settings to use. How to blend images together. How to level an image properly. How to color balance an image. The list goes on and on but these are things you really would struggle with if you haven’t spent hours upon hours practicing.

Before

After

As a professional photographer, I have access to tools and resources that allow me to capture images and tweak them ever so slightly to ensure they look great, but are still true and undeceiving.

Example of Drone Photography for Real Estate

To go along with standard real estate photography, drone photography has almost become a staple. As a license drone pilot, I can capture quality drone images of any property.

I work with both agents and individuals. For private parties wishing to sell their home, I have a special offer just for you.

If you are looking to sell your house or know someone that is, feel free to reach out. I can even point you to a few realtors I would trust.

Wrightsville Beach, NC

A couple of years ago, my family and I were visiting Wrightsville Beach, NC. I got up early in the morning to capture sunrise photos. It was panning out to be a beautiful sunrise, as clouds were beginning to appear which really help make the color just stand out.

I captured a few shots with my digital camera, at the time a Canon 5D Mark III, and decided I wanted to take my drone up. I was a bit nervous flying it around the ocean. I’ve invested a good amount of money in it, and it only takes one accident for it to no longer function. Having it go into the ocean, would be a certain loss.

I’m not able to wear sunglasses very well while flying the drone and I had it up high enough it was getting hard to see. All of a sudden, I began to realize I may have lost it in the sky. I’m always super cautious with the drone as I know someone could get injured if I’m negligent.

I started to panic a bit. I always hesitate to trust the electronics to do what they say they will do. You never know what can happen. I like to be in control.

After a couple of minutes of searching, I hit the “return to home” button and it worked as it should. Soon enough I was able to see the drone flying back in my direction. The sun was just bright enough that I couldn’t see it. I was so thankful DJI had built that function into it’s drones.

The sunrise photos that morning with both my digital camera and drone were exactly what I had hoped for. I couldn’t have been happier with the results. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to shoot on the beach again and continue to push myself as I strive to be a better photographer.

I share that story today, because I know the value of constantly pushing to grow, learn, and develop. I’ve learned a lot more about my drone since then. I’ve become a better photographer since that day. I push myself because not only do I want to be better, but I want to ensure that my clients have a quality experience and end up with photos and memories they love.

Fulton, MO Sports Photography

Have you ever ordered school sports pictures and felt like you had to even though they often don’t turn out well? My wife and I have found ourselves in that situation a few times. We want the team photo because what is an athlete without a team, but the individual image is shot with poor lighting or just doesn’t turn out all that great.

That’s the situation I found myself in last year with my oldest son. His cross country photos weren’t that great so I wanted to see what I could do for his track photos.

They ended up turnout out so well, I began offering them to other sports.

I wanted to offer something different than what other local photographers were offering. I wanted my photos to better capture the athlete and who they were than just a standing pose.

After shooting a few of Noah, I put out a quick message to some of the local families and was able to have a couple of soccer girls take me up on the offer to try something different.

I loved the way they turned out. They weren’t super complicated, and felt realistic, but captured more of who they were than just having them stand there on the field. Better yet, they each got 3-5 images when they were done instead of just one.

I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and tried something different. I wanted to do something creative, in a short amount of time and see what was possible.

Of course, I can still do the standing pose. It’s probably the most consistent pose you could do over a series of years and really see how they have changed.

If you have an athlete and want to try something different this year, shoot me an email at alan@alancombsphotogrpahy.com or call/text me at 573.544.3501. I’d love to work with you. I have worked with individuals and teams. I’ve got your traditional solutions that you are used to along with maybe a few options you haven’t yet thought of.

Let me know how I can help you!

Callaway County

In 2020, the Callaway County Historical Society did a county-wide photo scavenger hunt. I don’t know how many people participated, but our family thought it would be a great way to get out of the house and learn more about the county and its history.

I won’t share images from every stop but I wanted to share just a few.

St. Marks Episcopal Church

St. Mark's has a long history in Portland. It was founded in 1890 as part of a 175-acre school campus. It is built not too far off the Katy Trail where the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad once ran. I grew up in Callaway County and never knew this beautiful church was there.

Oakley Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church

There is so much I could say about this church. When we visited, you could tell the church was loved but hadn’t been used in quite some time. The original building was a church home for many former slaves in the area after the civil war. Unfortunately, in 2021 it was vandalized and could really use some repairs. I would encourage you to learn more about this church and its history by visiting preservemo.org/oakleychapelame.

Missouri River

Our family has visited the Missouri River a number of times and it’s always interesting to learn more about how it’s changed over the years. This particular trip we decided to take the hike up to the walking bridge and walk across. While we were walking I snapped a few shots of the capital, the fall foliage, and the sunset. It’s one of the few landscape shots that I’ve ever sold.

Cote Sans Dessein

If you know Callaway County at all. You know there is a lot of agriculture. I’ve always wanted to use my drone to capture combines in the field. However, this particular evening we saw this one sitting there and for some reason it made me want to stop and take a photo of it. It was near the old county seat of Cote Sans Dessein, which is no longer a city or town, but rather a overgrown small hill down a gravel road. I’ve always wondered what it looked like back when it was something more.

Headshots

In 2016, I picked up my first flash for my camera. I had been shooting for a number of years, but knew if I wanted to be more than just a photographer who shoots the hour before sunset or hour after sunrise, I needed to learn how to use flash. At first it was intimidating, but I’ve been learning and pushing myself to grow since I picked it up.

I say this, because most of the clients I shoot headshots for, are nervous. Why? Because being the only person in front of a camera and feeling like you don’t know what to do can be intimidating.

Alongside the growth of learning how to use the flash, I’ve shot hundreds of headshots and have learned some tips and tricks to hopefully make the process easy and even enjoyable.

I want every one of my clients to walk away feeling like they have a photo they would be happy to display and share with others. It should be an image that makes you feel confident in who you are.

Headshots start at $125 for 3 images for one individual. I do them on location (I come to you) and offer discounts for 3 or more people. Contact me today to schedule yours. You can reach me at alan@alancombsphotography.com or call/text me at 573.544.3501 to schedule your headshot session.