How to understand what the client needs?

Question

Layouts and prototypes

Greetings! How to understand how to properly prototype a design for a client?
Hire a prototype?

Answer 1

Ask to see sites similar in design, logos that he likes.
What will be the prototype? If not colored, then problems may arise later.
And in general, I do not know the profession "prototyper"))

Answer 2

If possible, it is certainly better to hire a UX designer.
And so, just a lot of questions and if personally impossible, on Skype.