The process

Every photographer is going to be different! But here’s a step by step of my personal process!

Picking your package


Personally for my senior photos I have 3 packages

  • Mini $50
  • standard $75
  • Premium $90


Picking your package

For my senior photos, I offer 3 packages • Mini $50 • Standard $75 • Premium $90. These packages include different things, but all will meet your needs. Picking one comes down to budget and what you want to do for your photos. If you only need an hour to get what you want done, then Standard might be for you. If you like long shoots, Premium is perfect. And if you don’t want to spend too much time and just want the photos done, then Mini is what you should pick. Every photographer will have different packages. In Michigan, the average for a senior photo session is $100-1,500!These all include different things but all will meet the requirements of what you need. Picking one comes down to budget and what you want to do for your photos. If you only need an hour to get what you want done then standard might be fore you. If you like long shoots premium is perfect. And if you don’t want to spend too much time and just want the photos done then mini is what you should pick. Every photographer will have different packages. In Michigan the average for a senior photo session is $100-1,500!

Booking


I typically start excepting senior photo bookings as early as April! The process is quite simple! It all starts with a quick conversation over either Instagram, email, in person, etc! We typically will talk about what you are wanting and when is a good time to schedule you! Another way is through a google for I send out with all the info I may need before booking you. I also typically send the form out to people who book through messages to make sure I don’t miss anything and so I have a way to have it documented.

Picking a location(s)


Location is a huuuuuge part of how your photos feel. Whether you want to be on the beach, city, a field, a forest, or all of the above! Try researching “beach towns near me” or “public wooded trails”

You can also ask your photographer if they have recommendations. I always appreciate inspiration pics to go off of.

Picking your outfit(s)


I have a whole blog post about picking an outfit for your shoot called “what to wear to your next photo shoot”


That blog is extremely helpful for picking outfits and how to go about the color schemes, layers, and more! However senior photos have one extra thing. Most schools require a formal outfit photo and a casual outfit photo! Make sure you have your outfits prepared!

Props


Personally, I LOVEEE when people bring props that mean a lot to them. Some examples could be a childhood stuffed animal, favorite book, sports gear, photos, theater props/programs, really anything that shapes who you are today!!

What to expect at the shoot

 

The day has come! Let me walk you through an average senior photo shoot.


Once we meet at the location, we will get settled into our first spot!

Do not worry about feeling awkward posing. I typically have some go-to poses to start with, and if we run out of ideas, Pinterest is very helpful!  I typically try to make a mood board based on your inspo and the locations we can use for posing. We will walk around the location, and based on how many locations and outfits you want, we will decide when it's time to switch. It all comes very naturally and I have never had someone seem as though they didn't warm up within 5-10 minutes.

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Receiving and downloading the photos


I send my photo albums using the Adobe Lightroom share feature. It comes in a link, and then you hand-pick which ones you download (YOU DON'T NEED TO SAVE EVERY PHOTO IF YOU DON'T WANT!!!) Sometimes downloading photos can be harder than it sounds. Every photographer has a different downloading process.  I personally include instructions in every album. An example is below!


Submitting your photos


Every school will have different rules about what is allowed to be submitted. Common requirements are:

  • The Pose: Usually a head-and-shoulder or waist-up shot. You must be centered, facing the camera, with both eyes visible.
  • The Background: The photo must be taken in front of a simple, uncluttered background. No busy scenes, and many schools prohibit solid neon or single-color studio backdrops
  • The Format: Photos are almost always required to be full-color, high-resolution (usually 300 dpi) JPGs. Black-and-white or sepia submissions are rarely accepted
  • And even file names are typically FirstName_Lastname_Formal/Casual