Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about the 2023 senior sessions! I am super excited about this year’s class and have some fun ideas and locations for this year! To help you choose the right photographer for your vision, I have put together a few things to think about. These tips for how to choose a senior photographer will help you find the perfect match for your graduation portraits. 

What Style Do You Want?

Before you even start looking, I always think it’s a good idea to figure out what style of photography you’re drawn to. A good place to start would be this year’s graduation invitations! Did one of them stand out to you? What do you love about it? Is it dark and moody or light and airy? Another great place to look for ideas is Pinterest. Search “senior portraits” and see what images you are drawn to. Once you’ve narrowed down what you like, you can compare your preferences to potential senior photographers’ portfolios when you start searching.

Begin Your Search

Now that you have an idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to start searching! One of the quickest and easiest ways to find a great senior photographer is online. Try typing in “senior photography near me” or the name of your city plus “senior photographers” and scroll through a few results pages to see what your options are. You can also ask around. If you know other seniors who graduated in the last couple of years, ask them who they used. 

Read Reviews

Once you have found a photographer with a style you like, read their reviews on Facebook or Google. These should help you get an idea of what your experience will be like. And of course, if you know other seniors who used that photographer, ask them how their experience was. What did they like or dislike? What would they have changed?

How Do You Plan to Use Your Photos?

Every photographer provides their images differently. Some offer prints only or digital photos only. Some deliver a CD or jump drive, while others provide an online gallery. Most photographers will help you decide how to display your images in your home and can help with ordering prints, but others may want to deliver the online gallery and be done. Make sure you ask these questions upfront to know what you are paying for and to make sure that you’ll be able to use your senior pictures the way you want to.

Inquire and Ask Questions

Once you have narrowed down all of the above (relax, it should be easy!) choose one or two photographers that fit your qualifications and inquire about pricing. I also think it’s good to meet face-to-face or over Facetime to get to know each other! At this point, you can get a better feel for your photographer and discuss details to see if you’re a good fit for each other. 

What Are Your Expectations?

Now that you know how to choose a senior photographer, there’s one more key to making sure you have a great session: Lots of communication. I believe that what makes any session unique is planning and communicating your vision with your photographer so you both know what to expect. Sit down and talk about what your ideal images are. Do you want sports images? Have a pet you want to include? Do you like pretty sunset images? Or maybe you’d rather have pictures at a lake? Details like these will help you and your senior photographer figure out what package is best for you. 

How to Choose a Senior Photographer…in a Nutshell!

If you’re like me and skip to the end to get the CliffsNotes, here is my general advice: Make sure whoever you work with understands your expectations and asks questions. Your senior portraits are special and they’re something you’ll want to hang on to for a long time, so you want to make sure they are what you envisioned!

If you decide that Megan O’Hare Photography is the right photographer for you, or you just want to learn more, please get in touch or check out the senior page here. I would love to help you create your ideal senior portraits!