It’s the summer before your senior year of high school (or your child’s senior year), and you’ve got an important decision ahead of you: hiring a senior photographer in Colorado. You open Google and search, “Best Senior Photographers in Colorado Springs” or “experienced photographer for senior pictures in Fort Collins”. Pages and pages of search results come up. They will begin with Google now giving you an AI search result, then sponsored results, then map results, and then pages of individual websites. How will you ever decide who to hire for your senior session? Here are some questions to consider as you search for your photographer as well as some questions to make sure you ask before you sign a contract:
What Is Your Location?
Does the photographer take photos near where you live? Near where you want to have photos taken?
Beyond the actual physical location of the photographer, make sure that they are willing to take photos where you want if you have somewhere in mind, or that you love the locations that they are willing to go to?
Another location questions to ask:
Will you take photos for me at multiple locations or just one? Do you charge extra for multiple locations?
Some photographers will be willing to go to multiple locations if you pay extra, some just want to stay at one place that is agreed on. For me, I like going to multiple locations so that the seniors will have a diverse gallery to choose from, and this is included in my session price. Sometimes the lighting or the look will not be what you are hoping for at one location, so having more options to choose from when picking out your photos will be helpful.
Do you allow for multiple outfit changes?
I have touched on this before in previous blogs, but it is important to note that it is not a given that a photographer will allow you to have multiple outfit changes. Busy photographers that have multiple sessions scheduled may not want to take the time for you to change. Photographers that tend to have add-on costs may include an add-on for outfit changes.
Just like I allow for multiple locations, I also love it when seniors bring outfit changes to their senior session, and I do not charge extra for this. I encourage seniors to bring at least one casual outfit and one outfit that is a little more dressy, but it is totally up to them. Check out my OUTFITS blog to help you start thinking of what to wear for your senior photoshoot.
What is Your Package Cost, What is Included, and Are There Any Potential Extra Fees?
It is important you know upfront exactly what is going to be included in your session fee, and whether or not there will be any extra costs. Some photographers charge separately for the session, then charge for each photo separately. Make sure you know if the digital of each photo is included. Do they include prints? If so, how many? Are they going to charge extra for additional outfits or locations? Are edits/skin touch-ups included? How many photos will you receive? Do they give out unedited photos (most, including myself, will not)? Make sure that you have read through your contract/session agreement so that you understand what is being provided at the exact cost you agree to. If there is anything not mentioned, make sure you have clarified this with your photographer. Being on the same page with your photographer is incredibly important so you both know what each others expectations are, agree upon how they are met, and avoid any potential conflict.
What Can I Bring to My Session?
Make sure you know ahead of time what your photographer would allow you to bring to your session. Cap and gown? Instruments? Sports equipment? Pets? A car? Other family members to take a picture with?
If you have something/someone that is important for you to include in your senior photos, make sure to ask the photographer if they/the location will allow that.
One thing I would absolutely LOVE to do one day would have a senior bring their horse to a photoshoot, but I would have to make sure ahead of time that horses are allowed at whichever location we would be going to.
Additional Questions
Here are some additional questions to consider asking a potential photographer:
How long will the session be?
When will I get my photos back?
Do I get printing rights to the photos, or would I have to print through you?
Do you help resize the yearbook photo?
Do you have any full gallery examples of your work from a single client?
Do you have the date available that I want to do my session on?
Do you require a deposit to secure the session date?
As with anything in life, make sure you have a very clear picture and understanding before you sign any contracts or pay any money to a photographer. Make sure you know exactly what you are getting and the exact price you are getting it at. If a photographer doesn’t have everything listed on their website, make sure to write or call them to get your questions answered. There are so many great senior photographers in Colorado, and I hope these questions will help you find one that fits exactly what you are looking for.
If you’d like to start the planning process for taking senior pictures in Colorado with Amare Clara Photography, I’d love to hear from you:
