Booking a Senior Session
Where do you even start?
Booking a senior photo session can be overwhelming when you are just starting your search for a photographer. You might not know what to expect or what is even possible. Chances are you saw someone else's photo and it set an expectation of what you might get out of a senior photo session. What expectations are you bringing to the table when looking for YOUR senior photographer? What do you want out of the experience? What "look" are you going for? Do you have those studio sessions in mind where you're sitting in front of a backdrop with your sports/band/or whatever equipment arrayed all around you to show off? What about "the couch" where you're laying on your belly resting your head in your hands with your feet kicked up behind you?
Yeah? No. You won't find that here.
First of all, Hello.
Ok, so you stumbled upon my Facebook/Instagram/Website and you're liking what you see. Maybe you fill out my contact form or just dive right in and give me a call. What's that first conversation like? First off, I'm so glad to hear from you! I may ask about your senior: What's their name? What extra curricular activities do they like? Hobbies? Interests? Just whatever comes up! We don't typically get in depth at this point. I just want to know a few things about them. I'll gauge what you may be wanting to get out of the session. Do you plan on updating any portraits in your home? Interested in a custom Keepsake Album? Just would love to have a few digital images of this stage of life? We'll touch on these things. I'll discuss pricing and what to expect. If you wish to proceed with booking, then I will ask for your email where I'll send my contract for the parent to fill out, and questionnaire for the senior to fill out.
The Questionnaire.
I highly encourage your senior to fully fill out my survey. This is a great way for me to get a better snapshot of your senior and the direction we will be taking their shoot. After the survey is submitted I touch base with you via email to set up a phone consultation so we can work out the details of the session. This is the fun part because this is where we fully customize your session to be the perfect fit for you and your senior!
We will discuss:
- Locations
- Wardrobe
- Props/Pets (I love dogs, so yes, bring the dog!)
- Any questions you may have
What session should I choose?
Evergreen
We shoot up to 30 minutes to get the most out of a little time. We usually only choose one location within 15 minutes of Benton, Illinois. Downtown Benton has tons of variety with little walking in-between sets (thus wasting time). This is the least customizable option as it only allows for a single outfit to be worn the duration of the shoot but it's also one of my favorite location options because of how many options our town has.
Cascade
We shoot for an hour here. We are able to capture about 2 drivable location options and incorporate more options for customization. This is a good option for the senior who wants a little bit more variety than a 30 min. session will get them, but they don't care for the "whole experience". There is usually time for 2 different outfits to be worn during the session.
Luxe
As previously stated, this is the "whole experience" and is a 2 hour session. This is where most of my seniors land with their sessions as it allows them to have more time for us to really relax and take our time getting amazing shots. Locations do depend on driving distance between, so between 2-3 different locations including outfits. The variety of images is high with this session and is a great option for adding on a Keepsake Album.
I'm no model, fyi.
Don't feel that confident in front of a camera? No worries. Me neither (LOL). The good thing is, is that I'll be in full control of making you look awesome in front of my lens. You can come to me with the most clueless and blank expression, and I'll give you the pointers to looking your best. It's very common and natural to feel awkward at the beginning of our session. But it doesn't take long for us to get into the flow of things and get some amazing shots! I'm happy to show you back of the camera shots to show you just how awesome you're doing.
Hair and make-up
I highly suggest my senior girls include the hair and make-up option for their senior session. Upon including this option, the senior will be given a questionnaire from my stylist to help them come up with the perfect look for her session. Hair and make-up elevates your senior experience and can be as dramatic or natural as you want!
Phew! We're done!
All good things must come to an end, or so they say! For you, it is the end of your session, but honestly, I'm just getting started! After we part ways I head home to begin work on your Gallery. This gallery is comprised of the best out of your session. Culling a session is just one of the amazing things I do to best serve my clients. I take as many shots at the session to guarantee the best of the best makes it to your final gallery. From that final gallery you will be able to choose the amount of photos that were included with your purchased session, with the option to upgrade to the fully gallery available in the store.
What goes into Retouching?
I hand edit each and every photograph. It is part of my normal workflow to clean up acne and any obvious stray hairs as well as minor wardrobe issues. Judgement calls are made on each photo and this is just generally part of my creative process. I do not body sculpt as a part of my general workflow. Any advanced edits you wish done will need to be discussed with me as significant and timely edits will incur an additional charge. To finish, each photo undergoes sharpening to best prepare it for print. (Which, is the ultimate goal of taking awesome photos, amirite?)
