Tips for Choosing a Senior Photographer - Asking the Right Questions

These questions will help you feel confident in selecting your high school senior photographer.

My final tip in this series to finding the right senior photographer for your high school senior photo session is to pick up the phone.  You have already narrowed down your list of possible photographers from my previous tips and likely have less than 5 local photographers, maybe only two or three, left on your list.

I know that just about everything is done these days via text….but talking to your photographer is crucial. Connecting with your photographer before you book is important to making a good decision.  You may get voicemail, but your potential photographer should call you back quickly to find a time to talk that works with both of your schedules.  Either on the phone, video chat, or in person, you can usually tell instantly if the photographer is someone that you will feel comfortable working with.

This also gives you an opportunity to learn more about what their high school senior sessions include, to make sure it matches what you determined was important to you.  Get each of your selected photographers on the phone and ask them the following questions if you couldn’t find this on their website:

• What all is included in their sessions?

• How many locations will you be able to capture in your session?

• Can you change your outfit during your session?

• Will they do a pre-session planning or consultation meeting to ensure every detail you want captured is included in your session?

• Do they help with outfit selections for your session?

• Can you include Mom, Dad or someone else in a few of your images?

• If it’s important to you, do they offer professional hair and makeup?

• Do they offer packages with a fixed selection of items or can you choose the items that most interest you?

• Will they help you determine the right images and products for you?

• Do they have a minimum purchase requirement for their products?

Before you commit to a photographer you need to know what your sessions include, how they price the services your are interested in purchasing, and if you feel comfortable when you are talking with them.

Photographers usually only put one or two of their best photos from a session on Instagram, Facebook and their website. This is also a great time to ask your prospective photographer if they have a full-featured session gallery that they are willing to share with you. Being able to see an entire session will give you confidence that the photographer can consistently produce quality work that you will be happy with and ensure that you don’t end up with just one or two good photos.

If you’re wondering what you could expect if I were to be your photographer, I’d be happy to share a full session gallery with you. Just contact me and I’ll send you a gallery from a recent session.