Hire a Photographer in Fareham

Based in Porchester, Hampshire, Image Chameleon offers photography services for weddings, birthday parties, corporate business functions and more across the South of England. Here they share some of their stories and also some very thorough advice when looking to hire your photographer.

What do you need to know from an organiser in order to provide a comprehensive quote?

The information I require differs with each type of request. The main information actually comes from ourselves, we need a space of 4 metres square as a minimum and access to an electric outlet plus two tables of 3x6 feet each, oh and a chair. One of the main aspects for us is being able to gain access early, either for weddings to take pre-wedding photos of the venue whilst it is empty and regards photo booths we need 90 minutes prior and 60 minutes afterwards to set up and pack down. One thing that does help is access to wifi to allow for uploading of photos and payment taking.

What advice would you give to a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

I would say ask some finer questions about what is being provided, particularly the end results. When photographing a wedding does a supplier arrive early and go only when the customer is happy. Can a photographer adapt and how do they manage when the unexpected happens and what have they done in the past to cope with the weather. I have found talking through the day with the couple helps a lot because as rude as this sounds the couple get caught up in the day and forget things. Which if a plan B has been chatted about at least this will come to mind if the need arises.

Please tell us a little bit about how and why you started the business.

I started taking photographs when I was 8 years old. I was at a car boot some years later selling things and had a camera for sale and displayed some of the photos I had taken with the camera to show what it was capable of. Shortly after I was at a friends wedding and their photographer was taken ill 2 days before. My friend asked me to stand in, which I did, and from this I was asked to be the photographer for 3 other weddings and it has carried on from there.

Please tell us about a booking you've had through Add to Event, how did it go? Would you recommend us to others?

The most recent booking I have had through Add to Event was for Dorset Mind, the mental health charity. I attended a Black Tie evening function. I printed the leaflets to help promote the event. On the evening I attended with our Photobooth. Guests have said over and over they never realised that an open style backdrop gave so much more fun than a closed booth where you can not see what is going on inside. With charity events, we always split the takings with 30 per cent going straight to the charity. I have tried many other online booking services, particularly one that sounds like a dog and I must say the saying 'Chalk N Cheese' comes to mind. I judge where my money goes and is it well spent, I would certainly say with Add to Event I am happy to continue using this service.