1. First, you should pick someone to work with you know you will love, and has the photography style that you LOVE!
WHAT DOES “STYLE” EVEN MEAN?
STYLE: The way the photos are taken and edited and how the people in the photos look.
There are a million ways photographers describe their styles –– light and bright, dark and moody, looks like film, crisp and clear, cinematic, colorful, very adventures and wide angles, close up portraits, very stylized, or simple…the list is endless!
I know a lot of those are very “photographer” language, so if you’re having trouble finding someone, look at tags, search Instagram, and even ask the photographers you know if they know anyone!!
It’s important to think about what you want to do with the photos –– are you printing them for your mom? Are you posting them on your instagram? Are you creating an album? That can help you decide what you like and who you would want to work with!
Really this just comes down to preference.
I obviously love white, clean backgrounds with pops of color, so I gravitate towards those types of photos. But I have a ton of friends that love the “moodier” or warmer tones that look more cinematic and I think they’re beautiful!
It’s senior year…AH! First, I’m so excited that you are planning to document this huge moment. I’m not even saying that because I’m a photographer. I’m saying it as a person who loves to go back and look at all of the milestones I’ve hit in life!
Light airy (left), dark and moody (right)
No one will be offended by your preference! You just have to pick one for this specific session because photographers will deliver the product they have perfected and are best at.
It’s difficult to ask a photographer to shoot and edit in a way that is different from their previous work and you won’t be allowed to edit the photos differently later, so make sure you are happy with your choice when making the investment!
2. Second, choose a photographer that you get along with and your personalities mesh well.
This is a huge milestone for your senior, they are going to remember these photos for the rest of their lives. I know I do and I took mine about 4 years ago, I can recall my session like it was yesterday. One of the reasons I decided I wanted to specialize in high school seniors because I loved my experience and how my photographer made me feel about myself.
3. Third, choose a photographer that is going to make your senior feel special and give them tons of confidence. My sessions are about so much more than senior photos, they are about giving my seniors this amazing confidence and knowing they are so beautiful. I see the beauty in every person that gets in front of my camera and you can tell that during the shoot and this takes the most shy seniors out of their shell. I know how to make my seniors feel comfortable and at ease in their shoot so we get natural photos that don't look forced.
4. Fourth, pick someone with experience and knows exactly what they are doing.
I know what I am doing if it rains and how to still get stunning photos. I have tons of photo locations just in case one doesn't work out like we planned. I can read light like the back of my hand and know how to mold it into something truly spectacular. Harsh light doesn't scare me because I have 7 years of experience shooting, and posing seniors.
5. Fifth, know how important these photos are, having a family friend or a classmate take them will get them done but in a few years you will wish you had something more.
The next time your senior will be professionally photographed will probably be at their wedding day. This is such a big time in their lives.
6. Sixth, find out what each photographer offers with their session.
I have a professional hair and makeup artist who makes all of my girls look amazing. We can go as natural or bold as desired. Having a professional makeup artist makes sure that your daughter feels beautiful, confident, and empowered with herself. I also have a session for the guys with no hair and makeup but I make sure they feel just as special!
7. Seventh, how much does the photographer get to know your senior?
I love getting to know each one of my seniors and I love seeing them more than once during their senior year. I have them fill out a questionnaire about themselves so I can plan the perfect session for them, from wardrobe, locations, hair, makeup, and extra things we might incorporate in the session (baseball, volleyball, dance, newspaper editor, violin, artists, etc.). I also have a consult with my seniors and their parent to help plan the session. Just to make sure it is perfect for you.
8. Eight, is it just the day of the session, or do you get more help and guidance during the crazy senior year?
Not only do I shoot their senior session, I host mini sessions during the year that all of my seniors are invited to.
May is the Spring BFF Mini Shoot
January is the Styled Snow Shoot where all my seniors will be able to make new friends and get awesome photos.
In May before my seniors graduate they can attend the Cap & Gown Mini sessions, so you don't have to worry about getting perfect photos on graduation day.
Just relax and enjoy the day with your senior!
9. Ninth, pick a photographer who will help you with printed products.
I am a boutique senior photographer and will be helping you through every part of the process, from the photo shoot to the Image Reveal where we can choose any albums, prints, and canvases if you would like.
Most of my packages come with the digital images for you to keep safe and to print as you like, but it is also nice when you can have someone else do it for you.
From personal experience I know many of my photos have just sat on a disk because I have never gotten around to printing them and I am a photographer haha.
Do you have photos that you have been meaning to print but never have the time...or don't know exactly how you would like them displayed...so it just stays on the To-Do List?