Where can I find a free lance photographer?

Binkss,

If you Google freelance (it's one word...) photographers in your area you'll get lists of names, such as this one:

http://www.freelancedesigners.com/dir/photographer...

But there's no guarantee that those people are any good or reliable. You'd really have to see a portfolio of someone's work and get a written contract stating explicitly that you (e.g., your mother) will not pay unless you are satisfied with what is delivered to you in a specifically stated timeframe (you must be aware that sometimes less than brilliant photographers who claim to be experienced, but aren't, line up clients, take their money, & then never deliver photos or deliver garbage-y looking ones).

I'd say there are a few considerations for you - if you want to keep costs down for your Mom too. Here they are:

1- Make sure no one else in your group or whomever you're going to the prom with has already hired a photographer. If they have there's no sense duplicating the effort.

2- Check with some local community colleges in your area (Google is your friend!) - like Art Inst. of Tampa or Acad. of Art Univ. or another community college that has a photography program. Either you or your Mom contact the Dept. head in the Photography Dept. and ask if there's an experienced and talented photography major student who's good at portrait work and who can take some photos of your prom night for a reasonable fee.

3- Negotiate whether you will just receive prints from the photographer (which you usually have to pay for in addition to their shooting fee) or whether they will provide a CD of images too. Find out or tell them how many images you will expect be shot and the types of images you want (you alone, you with your Mom, you with your date, you with your friends, etc.) and make sure that is all specified in your written contract I mentioned above. It's important for you to know that the photos the photographer takes are copyrighted by them (automatically) and you are not allowed to make copies on your own without a written release from them (and places like Walmart, Costco, etc. know that law and will not make copies for you unless you have the written release).

This is a business contract you'll be making, so you need to make sure it's fair to all parties and that you get the kinds of photos (in the style you'd like) after the prom is over... I suggest your Mom or some other adult review the photographers' portfolios to ensure you like their style of photo making & handle the negotiations on the written contract so that no one messes with you or disapooints you. Some people think that if they've just bought their 1st entry level DSLR camera that they're a pro and know how to take pictures. Believe me, they don't! A qualified student under a faculty member's endorsement should likely be okay.

Good luck! Congratulations on your prom...