5 Tips for Choosing your Senior Picture Photographer 

Senior pictures are a once in a lifetime thing, so don’t leave it to chance!  There are hundreds of photographers out there (in fact, just throw a rock).  So how do you choose the best one for your senior’s pictures?  What should you look for?  What is important?  These tips are designed to help you figure this whole thing out! 

1. A thing worth doing is worth doing well!  Do your research to find someone that is experienced and proficient… a real professional. 
A great senior photographer knows more than how to operate their camera.  They also know how to handle lighting in all kinds of situations.  They know how to pose their clients to make them feel comfortable and look their best.  You can get a sense of this by viewing their work samples online and by talking to them on the phone.  Don’t be afraid to ask for references and/or reviews.  

2. You get what you pay for!  Don’t let price alone dictate your decision.  
Good quality will outlast a good deal… every time. If you go with the cheapest photographer you can find or have a friend or relative take them, are you going to get images that you will love?  Are you going to get the experience that you want?  Senior pictures may be a bit of an investment… but since you will be looking at the results for years to come, it’s one that will pay off if you make a good choice! 

3. Variety is the spice of life!  One size does not fit all… in shoes OR in senior pictures! 
Find a senior photographer that offers multiple options for sessions and final products.  Is your son gritting his teeth at the thought of a photo session?  And so do you really just want a short session to get a few great images?  Or is your daughter so excited that she cannot wait and, thus, you want the full experience?  Have you thought about including ALL of your kids in a few shots?  How about a studio-based cap and gown “add-on” session in the spring?  In terms of products, while it might sound great to get all of the digital images from your session, is that really ALL you want?  What about graduation announcements?  A couple of prints for grandparents?  A nice wall portrait for your home?  A savvy senior photographer knows that you might need it all – and thus, they will be able to OFFER it all! 

4. You already have enough to worry about!  Find someone that will take the lead and make senior pictures happen FOR you! 
Find someone who is confident and willing to share information… lots of information!  Find someone that is very responsive to you (and your emails, texts, or calls… someone that makes you feel that you are important!  A good senior photographer takes good photos but a great senior photographer is also a good business person – organized and reliable and able to lead you through all of the steps to getting this milestone done and checked off your list!  They should help you out with locations, best times to schedule/shoot, what to wear, and what to bring!  

5.  A Jack (or Jill) of all trades is a master of none… truly! 
Choose someone that focuses on senior pictures… exclusively or as one of just a few offerings.  If your photographer also “specializes” in maternity, newborns, children, families, pets,  engagements, weddings, and events, how will they ever have the opportunity to also hone in on great posing and ideas for senior pictures?  Posing a baby is actually nothing like posing a senior… and the styling is completely different.  Of course!  When a photographer finds a genre that they really love, they will hone and perfect it – and it will show in their work.  I hope that these tips help you to choose the very best photographer for your senior.  And, of course, I would love to be considered.  

Please take a look at my work and then give me a shout if you think we might be a good fit.  Would love to help you and your rising 2021 senior with some great images – for now and to enjoy years down the road!