3 Tips for Finding the Perfect Senior Portrait Photographer

Finding the perfect Senior Portrait Photographer can be overwhelming.

This is your senior year! The one that you (and your parents) have been dreaming of since you were five.

There is no better way to capture your personality and all that you have become and hope to be than in a senior portrait session.

But how do you go about finding a photographer that’s right for you?

Finding the Perfect Senior Portrait Photographer- VIEW THEIR WORK

Go to their Facebook, IG, Pinterest and website.

You already know what your style is. Does your photographer match your style?

Are you absolutely in love with the images? If you are not in love with the photographer’s style, then you won’t love your senior images.

Once you find a photographer with a style that you love then reach out to chat with them. Most photographers will offer a consultation of at least 30 minutes to discuss your vision for the session.

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Check out my senior portfolio!

Finding the Perfect Senior Portrait Photographer- Meet the Photographer in Person

During your consultation, you can get to know your photographer and see if you feel comfortable around him/ her.

Look for a photographer who has a passion for giving you a great session. Someone who has plenty of ideas and is excited to make your session not just a session, but an experience.

LET’S MEET FOR COFFEE!

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Finding the Perfect Senior Portrait Photographer- Ask Questions.

When you get the photographer on the phone, or when you make contact through email, you will want to ask your photographer questions to help you decide if he or she is the right fit. Here are a few questions to get you started.

1. What is your fee and what does the fee include?

Senior photographers are individual business owners, and each of them will adopt a business model that best reflects them and how they want to serve their clients.

There are photographers that are all-inclusive (or shoot-and-burn). These photographers include in their session fee: -Their time, experience, and expertise; editing; and images (the number of the images vary from photographer to photographer). The images are generally in digital form and may or may not come with a print release.

There are photographers who charge a session fee that includes their time and expertise and editing, then offer products separately. Photographers with this business model are usually more involved in the process of helping you choose your images and a package or product that suits your individual needs.

If you are looking for a pampering luxurious experience, you are going to want to hire a luxury photographer.

These sessions are more expensive, but usually include services such as hair and make-up in addition to the photographer’s services.

Just as every photographer has a different style, every photographer has a different business model. You are sure to find one that suits your price and service point. If you want digital images, make sure to ask if they are included in the packages or session fee.

2. How long have you been in business as a senior photographer?

If you haven’t noticed, every time someone asks for a recommendation for a photographer of any type in a Facebook group you get 100 different who would LOVE to book the session with them. ALL of them can’t be specialists, can they? No, not really. It’s ok to ask what your photographer specializes in. Usually, their specialty will reflect their heart and what they will spend hours at a time perfecting.

Then you have the photographers that specialize in weddings, babies, families, seniors, and real estate photography. They may be good, but they don’t really specialize in anything.

You definitely want someone who has shot more than one or two senior sessions to capture this year’s memories.

Join my group for SENIORS ONLY!

3. Are you insured and licensed?

With this question what you are really asking is “Are you a legitimate business?”. A person who has invested in education, training, the right equipment, and building a brand will pay taxes, be licensed through the county or state as required, and carry liability insurance.

A person who has not completed these steps is not a legal business. While you can hire someone who is just a hobbyist, they generally do not have the experience to deliver a professional product and are not seasoned enough to deal with customer relation issues that may arise.

4. When do you typically shoot these sessions?

Ask your photographer what time of day he/she generally shoots senior sessions. Most photographers will gravitate either toward the early morning light or the golden hour just before sunset.

This image was taken during the golden hour just before sunset.

Finding the perfect senior photographer means finding someone who knows how to find the light. Can you shoot at other times of the day? Of course. With experience, you can find a great shot anywhere, at any time of the day. However, if you want the BEST light, the photographer will choose one of those times.

5. How long before the product is delivered?

Seniors want to be able to share their images with their friends and family. Moms want to be able to send images in for all of the things required of a senior. A photographer who can shoot, edit, and order images within a 2-3 week window is usually your best bet.

6. Do you have a referral program?

Most photographers that I know have some sort of referral bonus.

Even if they don’t already have one in place, they will most likely offer something to you if you refer a friend to them.

My clients get $100 credit for referring a friend to me- and their friend gets $100 credit as well!

I also have a Senior Rep program that opens twice a year for additional bonuses!

Still looking for the perfect senior portrait photographer? Check out my site!

Join my group for SENIORS ONLY!