Choosing the right kind of photographer to shoot your brief is an essential part of selecting a photographer. If you get it right your relationship will be a happy one with fruitful results, get it wrong and the not only could it prove an expensive mistake but also detrimental to your business.

Photography is an all encompassing industry that contains many unique sub-sectors. Each of these niche markets demands a very unique approach from the photographer and may take them years of training or experience to become proficient. Different genres require different equipment, a wedding photographers kit bag will look very different to a commercial product photographers. The photographers knowledge base will vary widely too, for instance a photographer working within the commercial sector mush fully understand time restraints, monetary budgets and the needs of the design or advertising professional. Even personal characteristics will vary from sector to sector with wedding photographers needing to possess endless amounts of patience, diplomacy and human warmth.}

Considering these unique qualities and skills that each sector of the photography industry must possess it is therefore essential that you attempt to highlight which one of these specialisms will best serve your own unique requirements. There are two very distinct areas of the industry and listed below are these sectors and the relevant niches within them:

Wedding Photography Plus Family and Portrait Photography. I often call this 'domestic' photography, where the photographer is dealing with the public on a more casual basis. The two don't always go hand in hand but photographers will often split themselves between these two areas simply because many of the interpersonal skills needed are transferable, although a practical understanding of studio photography is obviously vital with family portraiture.

Commercial Photographers. Corporate Portraiture, Celeb Portraits, Music industry, Paparazzi/Press, Landscape, Illustration, Photojournalism/Documentary, Sports, Wildlife, Fashion/Beauty, Under Water, Lifestyle, Aerial, Cars and of course Still Life (encompassing Product Photography, Pack Shots and Food and Drink). The list seems endless and I've no doubt missed a few! These guys are only concerned with the commercial sector i.e. businesses, companies and corporate organisations. Within these specialisms you'll discover a multitude of individual styles that characterises the photographer and their stance. Some may crossover into similar niches, some may experiment with many different subjects but none will proclaim to be expert at them all.

As you can see there is more to being a photographer than just owning the latest and greatest version of a digital camera. When deciding on which type of photographer you need it is without doubt a very personal decision based on many unique concerns. However care must be taken to at least select a photographer that is experienced in your field, be that the 'domestic' market or 'commercial' sector, as the two industries require very different skills. Understandably your location and budget may not enable you to hire the very best photographer relevant to your brief but still research them carefully and study their portfolio for evidence of their competence and skill.