Tips for Choosing a Senior Photographer - Products and Location

What should you look for when selecting who will take your senior photos?

Your senior year is a major milestone and senior pictures should be more than just a picture for your yearbook. There are so many photographers to choose from and I want to help make sure that you get an experience tailored to you and images that you will treasure for years to come.  

All right, let’s get started!

Not all senior photo sessions and photographers are the same.  You will find a wide range of prices and services between professional photographers when you start searching for a local photographer.  In my last post I had you think about what is important to you in your senior pictures.  Use this list you came up with when you start researching potential photographers. 

Your first step in generating a list of potential senior photographers is to search for photographers that are located close to you where you live.  Some photographers will travel to you, but you will add expense to your session to cover their travel costs.  (I’ll cover destination sessions in a later post)

Check their website to determine if they offer the types of products that are important to you.  If you want an album with images from your session make sure they offer quality albums with many sizes and options.  If you prefer to hang your images on your walls, check to see if they offer canvases or framed prints in sizes large enough for creating a wall display.

I’ll never forget the moment a senior told me that they were so glad that I didn’t just hand over a thumb drive of images and then leave the printing up to their family. While having digital files is awesome for posting to Instagram, Facebook, and making your own reels and TikTok videos, I have had seniors as well as parents tell me that there’s nothing like receiving a leather bound album or custom made image box with all of their images in them. You will love the tangible keepsakes from your session now.  Over the years, they will become even more special to you. Make sure that your photographer provides heirloom-quality photo products so your images will last without fading or discoloring.

When looking on their website keep in mind what types of locations you want in your final images. If you’re looking for a natural or urban session, make sure your photographer has images in their portfolio in these types of locations. Also, if it is important to you to have photos in a different location from your friends, make sure that the photographer you hire can provide unique locations for your shoot.  Your photographer should ask you what types of locations you want for your session and be able to provide suggestions for local locations based on what styles you want in your senior photographs. 

Something that the seniors I’ve photographed have told me time and time again is that they love seeing a variety of locations and that none of the backgrounds in my photos ever look the same as other people’s photos. Even within their own gallery they have many different backgrounds and looks to choose from in their gallery.

Reviewing a potential photographer’s website will allow you to create a shorter list of local professionals who offer locations and products that are important to you.  In my next post I’ll share more tips on how to narrow down your list to a few key photographers to help you pick the right photographer for your senior pictures.

Can’t wait for the next post for more tips?  Contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions you have.  My sessions come with a free consultation before your session to make sure your senior photo session is tailored to create images that communicate your true self, beautifully.

Jump to the next post with tips on finding the right photographer that matches your style.