How to choose a digital freelancer: 7 practical criteria

To choose a freelance photographer, videographer, graphic designer or community manager well, first look at work close to what you need, then at reviews tied to real assignments, their responsiveness and how clear their quote is. Proximity matters too: a professional based near you can meet you, travel easily and knows your area.

The 7 criteria

1. Work close to your project. A beautiful portfolio is not enough: look for projects of the same kind as yours (a wedding, a corporate video, a visual identity, an Instagram page for a local shop). You should like the style, but the context should match too.
2. Reviews tied to real assignments. A review counts more when it is attached to an assignment that actually took place. Read what is said about deadlines and communication, not just the rating.
3. Responsiveness. How quickly they first reply says a lot about the rest of the project. A freelancer who answers your request quickly and precisely will probably do the same during the assignment.
4. Proximity. For a photo session, a shoot or ongoing support, a nearby professional keeps travel costs down and makes it possible to meet before committing.
5. A clear quote. Deliverables, number of corrections, rights granted, schedule, deposit, VAT: everything should be written down. Our guide How much does a digital freelancer cost? details what a quote should contain.
6. A registered business. A freelancer working legally in France has a SIREN number. It appears on their quotes and invoices, and you can check it in the official business directory.
7. Compatible availability. Before going into detail, check that the freelancer can meet your delivery date or shooting day.

What to check depending on the trade

• Photographer: the number of images delivered, the delivery time, the retouching included and the permitted use of the photos.
• Videographer or editor: what is included (shooting, editing, subtitles, colour grading), the final length, the formats delivered and the rights to the music used.
• Graphic designer: handover of the source files, the planned variations (social media, print) and the transfer of rights to the logo.
• Community manager: the editorial line, the number of posts per month, who produces the visuals and the format of the monthly report.
• Web developer: hosting, maintenance after launch, and who owns the code and the domain name.

Questions to ask before signing

• Have you already done a similar project? Can you show it to me?
• What is included in your price, and what would be charged on top?
• How many corrections are included?
• When can you deliver, and in what format?
• Who can use the delivered work, on which media and for how long?

Warning signs

• A vague quote with no list of deliverables.
• No SIREN number on the quote.
• A request for full payment before any work starts.
• Work that cannot be found, or that has nothing to do with what is advertised.
• Slow or evasive answers from the first exchange.

How TakeMe helps you choose

On TakeMe, freelancers are ranked by a merit score combining the reviews received, response speed, completed assignments and profile completeness. Nobody can buy their position: there is no sponsored placement and no bidding. Reviews are tied to an assignment carried out on the platform, the responsiveness shown is measured on real requests once there are enough of them, and a freelancer must provide a verified SIREN number to appear. To get started, browse the freelancer directory by trade and by department.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to choose a freelancer near you?

For anything that requires being on site (photo, video, events) or regular follow-up, yes: lower travel costs, the chance to meet and better knowledge of the area. For fully remote work, proximity matters less than the quality of the portfolio.

How can I tell whether a freelancer's reviews are reliable?

Favour reviews attached to an assignment that actually took place, and read their content rather than just the rating. On TakeMe, a review can only be left as part of an assignment carried out on the platform.

Should I ask for several quotes?

It is useful for a large project, as long as you ask each freelancer for the same scope: same deliverables, same deadline, same rights. Otherwise the amounts cannot be compared.

How much time should I allow before the assignment starts?

It depends on the freelancer and the season. For an event or a shooting date, contact professionals several weeks in advance: the most popular dates go first.

Updated on 7 October 2026.