MINNEAPOLIS SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

It’s spring here in Minnesota! Are you thinking about senior photos?  I want you to have your dream senior photos, so whether that’s with me or another photographer, here are some tips to help you select the best senior photographer for you.

What You Should Know
Before You Book Your Senior Photos

senior photo

I’ll try to put these in order for what you want to know first, but just know the answer for everything is research and ask.  Your senior photographer might send you info in an email or chat on the phone. Either way, take lots of notes.  Yeah, I know it sounds just like school, but it will be worth it!  Ask lots of questions, don’t assume anything.  And if a photographer doesn’t want to talk about, or can’t provide, all the details, move on.

 

Do you need a pro?

Let’s be honest; no one needs to have a professional photographer to capture your senior yearbook photo.  But it’s a rite of passage in our culture.  You can easily have a friend or parent take a picture for the yearbook, but would you regret that? Would you feel like you missed out on that rite of passage?  And would you get the look you want?  There are many things to consider when crafting beautiful photos: flattering lighting, wearing the right clothes/colors, removing background distractions, and post editing (I address these and more in my blog post “Preparing for your Senior Photo Session“).  If these things are important to you, then hire a pro.  If not, then don’t sweat it!  Grab a friend and go have some fun.

HOW TO FIND A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Some photographers are general photographers, which means they will do just about any genre of photography.  Others, like me, specialize in one or very limited areas. I recommend focusing on a photographer who specializes primarily on seniors with maybe one or two other genres (like maybe family portraits).  

The best way to find a professional senior photographer is to ask friends or relatives who they used for their senior photo session.  Did they like the experience and the photos?  Keep in mind the value of these photos isn’t the same for everyone.  Some will want the whole shebang – extra pampering with hair and makeup, multiple outfits, locations for their dream senior portraits, and others just want to meet up at a predetermined location and be done in less than an hour.  Some senior photographers only offer the full luxury experience (for thousands of dollars!) and others offer the simple “get-em-done” approach.  If the luxury experience isn’t what you’re after, look for a photographer that offers an array of options that best fit your desires.

INVESTMENTS WILL DIFFER

Whether your family budget is $200 or $2,000, you need to know what you’ll get for your investment. Everyone seems to want the digitals these days. That’s great, and I offer them with all my collections. But ask about more than that. Does the photographer offer prints, wall art and albums from a professional print lab? When will you have to pay? Are pre-payment plans available? Budgeting for senior portraits is something parents and teens need to work out ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than booking your dream photographer, loving every image, and then realizing you can’t afford the images. Or worse, realizing you signed a contract for a minimum purchase you can’t afford.

MY TOP TIP

Start looking now!  Seriously.  In the Minneapolis area, our window for senior photos is June through October.  If you’re waiting until the start of the school year you might not get your dream photographer or your dream photo shoot.  Waiting until November or December just isn’t realistic to ask for a wheat field or flowers outside.  Our weather is the best for outside portraits in summer, so plan ahead!  Your photographer can help you determine the best time of year for what you want from your portraits, but if they are already booked you might not get what you want.

A quick recap
  • Find a photographer that focuses primarily on seniors and students rather than a one that’s spread out among too many genres.
  • Have an idea of what you want. Do you want the full model experience, just a few photos for mom and the yearbook, or somewhere in between? Knowing this before you start your search will narrow down the possibilities.
  • Know your budget and find a photographer that can deliver what you want within that budget.
  • Know what you’re getting for your investment. Only want digitals? Great! Are they included or are they extra? What about prints, wall art, or albums? Know what is included before committing to a photographer.
  • Most importantly, get a contract! A professional photographer will always have a clearly written contract to protect everyone from miscommunications.

My Class of 2025 senior photo calendar is open for booking.  But you’ll have to reach out to me to find out what’s still available.  Contact me to check availability and set up a call to discuss your senior photo session.  I promise I’ll make it as painless as possible.  I want you to have the senior photos you’ve been dreaming about.