You may know exactly what you want for your senior photoshoot, but you can’t achieve much without the right photographer. Whether you have just started your search or have been searching for a while, these tips will help.

• Consider the photographer’s style.

By now, you probably have a good idea of what you want your senior photos to look like. What you need to make sure of is that a photographer’s overall style matches your preferences. Do you want images that are slightly moody and artistic, or would you prefer bright and playful photos? Browse through your photographer’s portfolio to find out more about their style.

• It’s also important to look for consistency.

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Does your photographer have a consistent style, or does it differ across their website and social media profiles?

• Review their experience.

Your photographer might be able to work a camera, but this doesn’t mean they should be taking your senior photos. When reviewing potential photographers, look at whether they have specific experience with senior photoshoots.

It’s also essential to read through any customer testimonials to get a better idea of what you can expect when working with a particular photographer. Any mentions of industry awards are also a good sign.

• Set a budget and shop accordingly.

Before you even start shopping around for a senior photographer, decide on a budget. This way, you can easily rule out potential photographers before you go to the trouble of reviewing their portfolios.

• Cheaper isn't always better.

A photographer who has the lowest prices is usually a beginner. Most professional photographers charge more because of their experience and their premium quality services and lux products.

And lastly, once you find a senior photographer you’re happy with, don’t wait to book them. It’s also best to have a backup choice should your first photographer not be available.

Your senior year deserves to be celebrated and commemorated, and there are so many fun ways to
do this – a photo session is one of them.

If you’ve never scheduled a professional photo session before or simply want to know what to
expect from a senior session, this guide covers the basics.

This is what you need to know…

The Before
- Yearbook deadlines. If your school is creating a yearbook, find out when they need your
digital photo file. This will help you plan ahead.
- The location. The location of your senior session should fit in with your personality and the
story you want to tell. Picture yourself doing what you love – where would that usually be?
There are always lots of great location ideas to choose from.
- Sooner rather than later. Photographers get a lot of requests for senior photo sessions, so
it’s best to schedule it a few months early to avoid missing out.
- The outfit. You can decide on an outfit once you’ve chosen your location, or you can do both
at the same time. Your outfit should also represent who you are and fit in with the location
you’ve chosen. Just make sure your outfit isn’t too distracting or it will end up being the
focus of your photos.
- Hair and makeup arrangements. Your photographer will have a professional HMU team.
Let them know your heart's desire right away. Don’t leave your hair and makeup arrangements for too
late either. Decide on your final look and whether or not you want to do your own hair and
makeup.

The During
- Set aside 2-4 hours. The average senior photo session takes 1 to 2 hours, so take a few hours
out of your day. This should include time to get ready.
- Bring your wardrobe. Make sure it is pet fur-free and wrinkle-free and on hangers.
- Meeting up. On the day of your session, you will meet your photographer at your location at
a specific time. There’s no need to be nervous. Your photographer is there to make sure you
have a good time and get the photos you’ve envisioned.
- Prepare to change outfits. Some seniors prefer to bring along an extra outfit to changes into
during their shoot. This is because one outfit might look better in a certain location than
another. You can discuss this with your photographer ahead of time.
- Bring some company. If having a friend or family member with you will make you feel more
comfortable, bring someone along. Just don’t bring too many people or they could end up
being a distraction more than anything else.
- Sign a model release. Your photographer will also require you to sign a model release form
before you leave your photo session.

The After
-Ordering session. You photographer will have a gallery for you to view so you can order the wall art, albums, or any products they offer.
-The wait. It takes two or three weeks for your photographer to complete your images and your order, so you will
need to be patient.
-As soon as your gorgeous portrait products are ready, you will pick them up at the photographer's studio.
- Now, it is time to share and enjoy. 

This is a basic idea of what you can expect from your senior photo session. Don’t be shy to ask your
photographer more questions if you have any. 

As always, all of your questions will be answered during your commentary consultation. Call or text anytime 217-962-0048