Meeting photographers in their homes

I wouldn’t think twice about it. Office space is very expensive and most of a photographer’s work is conducted elsewhere, so it wouldn’t necessarily make sense to even have one.

That said, I wouldn’t go there alone and would opt to have someone with me.

I’d either bring someone or just ask the photographer to meet somewhere public instead like maybe go for coffee or something for the first meeting? I’m sure they’d understand why you wouldn’t be comfortable meeting in their home.

Our photographer has her office in her home. She even has a room for baby pics and boudoir pics. But for our first meeting with her we met at a Starbucks. Like everyone else stated, do not go alone. My FH went with me to every vendor meeting.

Very normal. Office space is expensive and nowadays when we don't need dark rooms anymore it makes even less sense for photographers to have a business office unless they're very high end or a large business.
If you're uncomfortable take someone with you, it's also good to have a second opinion on their skills if you're not into photography.

Very normal that's what my photographer has. She actually lives right next to my mom's best friend so I was fine with going there with my FH.

Mine has his office in his home.
He didn’t give us a heads up about that and when we pulled up I was put off a little. But, it was fine. It was an actual office we didn’t just chat at their kitchen table.

That’s pretty normal I’d say. Office space can be costly and they’re probably either out taking pics or editing on their computer which is super easy to do from a home office. Definitely bring someone with you, either FH or a friend, parent, etc. or suggest a different meeting place like a coffee shop.

Our photographer's office was at their home but it was set up so it was like a wing of their house with it's own door so we never went into the house part. And they had like a meeting room where we chatted as well as two or three studios for shoots

My photographer met with me at our local mcdonalds for our first meeting. And our dj we met at dunkin donuts so id say set meeting up in a local place first or like everyone says bring someone with you

It is pretty normal honestly. Maybe just get to meet them at a public space, like what everyone else said. Still it's not odd that this is the case.

A lot of wedding vendors are freelance so it’s completely normal. But you could ask to meet them at Starbucks instead.

It’s normal not to have an actual studio but I’ve never heard of meeting up at home. A coffee shop might be a more comfortable setting.

Could you see if the photographer would be willing to meet in a more public place? And as PPs said, definitely bring someone with you!

That’s normal! I know my photographer does baby shoots in her home lol for my hair and makeup trial I went to my stylists home as well. I went to a meeting with a potential florist at a Starbucks, because she works out of her home as well. Office space is expensive so if they have a home office they get to keep that much more of their income. Just take someone with you and let someone else know where you’ll be and the address as well

My florist runs her business from home- she has a large workshop on her property.

If you're uncomfortable with it, ask to meet in a public place or bring a friend/fiance.

I did, however, I knew the photographer as she was the daughter of former neighbors of mine. (She was a pro, not a "friendor!!") I would be glad as most work out of their homes and overhead is lower.

If you are uncomfortable, bring a friend. A tall male friend, lol!!!

Depends where you live. Near us, far from the land of malls and plazas, lots of people whose businesses never draw more than 4-6 people at a time including staff and customers, have offices in their home, or 2 offices in different towns, one in their home. Our lawyer, our accountant for our small businesses, the kids dentist, the local barber, the general insurance agent for homes and property, and auto, and 2 realtors we worked with when adding agricultural acreage, operate out of home offices. Also the 2 local optometrists, two PT's including me, a speech therapist, and a person who works on orientation and mobility with the blind, all have a therapy space in rehab or professional buildings on the other side of a cluster of 6 small towns, and their second office at home. Why not a photographer?

View Quoted Comment Lots of the housing stock in this area is like that . It was built back when all Dr.s, lawyer's, and other independent professionals had office suites built in o about 1/3 to 1/2 of the heir lower floor . Or they are homes with 9 bedrooms, a front and back parlor, a formal dining room and an everyday one, for bigger families when unmarried adults as well as lits of kids lived in one home. But the style is not luxury homes, no 4 car garages for toys, no high end features. Modified to be 4-5 bedroom houses, and an office suite. With 1.5 acre minimum lot. Parking .

I wouldn't meet in someone's home. I'd suggest Panera or Starbucks. If they can't or won't meet with you there, I'd fine someone else.