5 Tips to Find the Right Senior Photographer

Guides + How-tos

Feb 23

Senior Portraits | Newport, RI

Senior portraits have changed a lot in the last few decades. Instead of a formal studio portrait, like the ones offered by your school, senior photographers are making images now, often taken outside, even at the high school, and feature multiple outfits and poses, allowing you to show off who you are, what you love, and even your plans and dreams for the future.

Choosing a photographer to take your senior photos is important because, like any professional images, these are photos you will want to look back on for years to come. You want to find a photographer you vibe with (yes I know, I’m showing my age). You want your photographer to be someone with experience and skill who you can trust to capture your personality and help you mark this momentous occasion in your life.

5 tips on finding the right senior photographer

Know what style you want
Find someone you connect with
Look into their credentials
Read the reviews
Make sure your parents are happy

Know what style you want

Different photographers have different styles. Some specialize in posed, stylized portraits, while others go for a more natural look. As you’re researching photographers in your area, look at their images from previous sessions and determine if these are the kind of photos you want from your session. My style leans towards a more natural look. I often tell you what to do with your extremities, like your hands, feet and head, but for the most part, I encourage you to settle into a position that you’re comfortable in and then go from there. My photography editing style leans towards colorful and vibrant. I love photographing on days when the sun can be seen in the sky. Many folks prefer a cloudy day, but that is NOT my jamm at all! I love bright sunshine because it adds drama to my images and natural vibrancy.

Find someone you connect with

So one of the reasons why I am a photographer, is because I find life safer and less threatninng behind the lens than in front of it. That does not mean I don’t take pictures, it just means that I can empathize with all clients who are not natural shutter-bugs. If you’re not particularly comfortable in front of the camera, it’s especially important to choose a senior photographer who makes you feel at ease and can answer any and all your questions - even the ones you consider “no duh” questions. The right photographer will talk to you about what you want and expect from your session and will help plan out locations and even offer wardrobe advice. I offer my seniors some advice about outfits. You can read more about this here (tips 4 and 5 address this directly). Basically, I want you to be able to talk to me about all the things because the more comfortable you feel with me, the better your images will turn out.

Look into their credentials

It is very important that you do some research on the depth and breadth of your senior photographer’s experience. There are a ton of amateur photographers out there. and you want someone who has the knowledge and skill to create quality images. Ask the potential photographers you’re considering:

About their previous work, specifically about if they specialize in photographing seniors
Where they learned photography
Any organizations they belong to and
How many years they’ve been taking photos as a profession.
If this sounds like a job interview, you’re right—well, it is! After all, you are hiring this individual for their services, and you want to hire someone who can do the job you want.
My answers to the questions above are as follows: I’m a wedding photographer primarily, but I’ve photographed portraits for just as long as I have weddings. Seniors became a focus for me because the wedding industry was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I learned photography through working with friends and family over the years. I took formal classes with the RISD continuing education program to round off the more technical aspects of my education. I’m a member of the Professional Photographers of America association (PPA) and the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) association. I’ve been a professional photographer for over 10 years and I went into business for myself 8 years ago.

Read the reviews

It is very important to read the reviews of your senior photographer. You wouldn’t buy a product on Amazon without reading the reviews, would you? Do not hire a photographer without checking out what previous clients have said about them. My personal preference is for you to talk to friends and family in the area. See if they have worked with the photographer before or have any knowledge of how the photographer conducts business.

Make sure your parents are happy

I know - this is the Unpopular opinion, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Yes, I know that your senior session is all about you, but chances are your parents are paying for it, so it’s really important that they’re also pleased with your choice and the resulting images from your session. While your graduation is about you and all your accomplishments, it is also about the people who have supported you along the way.