With the upcoming senior portrait season, I thought maybe it would be helpful to post a list of frequently asked questions I've received over the past few years!

Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Portraits

Q. How does a typical session go?

A. Overall, most sessions have some similarities, but no 2 are ever the same! Before your session, you will need to do a bit of homework. (I know, I know…and you thought you wouldn’t have to do any homework!) Depending upon which session you choose, you will need to plan out locations. It can be a park, your favorite section of downtown, on your parents’ farm…it’s up to you. Another thing to consider will be your clothing choices.
When we meet for the session, we will spend a few minutes getting to know each other. The first 10 minutes of shooting are usually somewhat of a “warmup”, when we get accustomed to each other. From there we will move around the locations, changing outfits as needed.



Q. What happens when the session is over?

A. After your session, I will spend some time doing basic editing (color correction, cropping, etc) to your images. 3-4 of your images will be selected within 2-3 days after your session and will be posted on my blog as a Sneak Peek. After this, you can expect your gallery to be online for ordering within 1-2 weeks, and if you ordered a proof book, 2-3 weeks.



Q. What if I wake up on the morning of my session and have a giant zit on my forehead?

A. No problem! I will remove major blemishes from all ordered prints. For extensive acne/retouching, a fee may be charged.



Q. I really want to bring my dog/horse/motorcycle/insert your favorite item here/ to my session. Is this okay?

A. Sure is! Your senior pictures are all about you, so if it helps define who you are, bring it on!



Q. What kind of clothing should I wear?

A. The number of outfit changes you have will depend on which session you choose, but in general the simpler the better. Always choose solid colors over clothing with large graphics. Jeans and a nice top provide a simple, casual look, which is desired by a majority of seniors. Make sure your clothing fits well, i.e. not too loose or too tight, and is flattering. Shirts with sleeves typically look better than sleeveless, although the ultimate choice is up to you. For the ladies, try to be aware of revealing clothing-if you are wearing a shirt that is revealing, I will say something to make sure you are aware, and we will take steps to make sure you are not revealing too much!



Q. What if the day of session is cloudy? Should we reschedule?

A. NO WAY! Cloudy days make for EXCELLENT portraits!



Q. What should I look for when picking a location?

A. Look for somewhere with numerous small areas of interest. Some great portraits have been created in grungy alleys or by incorporating rundown buildings. Look for good textures and fun color. It is also helpful to choose a place that will have shade.



Q. What all can we do with my pictures?

A. We can create a custom coffee table book, a brag book, a custom collage, a gorgeous canvas, customized graduation announcements…let me know what you have in mind!



Q. After I order pictures, how long does it take to get them?

A. For portraits, Allow 3-4 weeks for turnaround time. For specialty items (canvases, albums, etc) allow 6-8 weeks.



Q. When do I need to pay for my session and portraits?

A. Your session fee is due at the time of booking, and any portrait orders are due upon ordering. For your convenience, credit/debit cards are accepted via PayPal. Sales tax will be charged on all orders.



Q. Do you charge mileage?

A. As I am based out of Hays, KS and Abilene, KS, no mileage will be charged within Ellis or Dickinson Counties.



Q. What packages do you have?

A. The sessions I offer are:
Senior Basic Session Fee: $100 (up to 1 1/2 hours, 2 outfit changes)
Senior Enhanced Session Fee: $150 (up to 3 hours, 4 outfit changes)
Senior Ultimate Session Fee: $250 (up to 5 hours, 8 outfit changes)
I also offer a few basic portrait packages that will be listed on my website under the Senior Information Page.



Q. How many locations can I use?

A. We can go to as many locations as you like, but keep in mind that each session has a time limit, so plan accordingly.


Hopefully this will help clear up any uncertainties you might have. If you have a question not covered here or need clarification, don't hesitate to contact me!

Labels: outdoors, portraits, seniors