At Hammock, we tell stories about people from all over the country, and photography plays a big role in the way these stories are told. Through the years, our art director, Kerri Davis, has built an amazing cross-country network of freelance photographers who conduct photo shoots of small business owners, soldiers, preservationists and other subjects featured in our magazines and on our Web sites.
When I asked Kerri what makes a freelance photographer stand out in her mind, she immediately thought of Eric Millette, a San Francisco-based photographer who does a lot of shoots for MyBusiness magazine. When we find a photographer we like, we'll use them as often as possible! Here are five characteristics that Kerri looks for in freelancers, and some visual examples of how Eric meets—and exceeds—those expectations.
1. A creative, simple, well-designed website to show your work. Check out this site for a great example.
3. Organization. We appreciate photographers who can offer an easy way to view the shoot, especially through something like a Web gallery. Providing high-res files promptly is also a plus. Here's an example of the type of Web gallery we like to use.
5. Flexibility. This is a big one for our designers who art direct from a distance and know little about what the location will be like. "You expect the photographer to be able to make judgment calls on the spot and make the best of the shoot no matter what curveballs get thrown at you," Kerri says.
