So many of my seniors last year told me how hard it was to find a senior photographer. I heard it's overwhelming, confusing and time-consuming. People have told me that they started looking prior to their senior year and just gave up because it was too much and then before they knew it, it was March. 

       With so many options, how do you narrow your choices down from a gazillion to one? 

       You could throw a dart at a map. You could go to the photographer your BFF went to. You could get your senior pictures done at the location where you get your yearbook picture done. You totally have options. But at the end of the day, you want to know that you made the right choice for YOU.

       I can't promise that it is going to be a totally stress-free process but it doesn't need to be overwhelming. Grab a notebook and your #2. We are going to get through this together.

       There are 4 questions you need to ask yourself and in turn, if you are a parent, there are 4 questions you need to ask your senior.

  1. How do you want your images to look? 

      What are you drawn to when you look at images? Do you like light and airy or dark and moody? Bright colors, muted colors? Happy and fun-loving, serious or a mixture?  Why is this important? Because each photographer will have his or her own style. Some have mastered the light and airy. Others, the moody or muted colors. Just like every senior is different, so is each photographer.  

      Not sure exactly what you want? Look on Pinterest, Google senior photography and browse through some images. Pay attention to if the images are light and airy, dark and moody, bright colors, muted colors. Listen to your gut, it will tell you want you do and don't like. 

       Once you figure out what you want your images to look & feel like, give yourself a high five because believe it or not, you just narrowed down your choices without even having to look for a photographer yet! 

   2. How do you want your session to be?

      Are you looking for a one-hour session or do you need multiple hours because you want multiple locations and outfit changes? Indoor or outdoor? Do you want to include your best friend, puppy, car? Do you just want to show up, do your session and be done or do you want to have input on your session - where to go and what to do. 

      I know I sound like a broken record but, every photographer is different. Some have a planned location or two for senior sessions, some will travel near and far - wherever you want to go. Some only offer one location, one outfit change and some will offer more. Some will schedule you and meet you for the first time at the session, some will want to meet you before then.  It is important that you know what YOU need & want in order for you to be comfortable during your session.

  3. What do you want to do with your images?  

      This step is just as important as the first step so DON"T SKIP IT! It's also important that parents and seniors are on the same page with this so you might want to take a second to ask. It would be terrible to get to the end of your session just to realize that the photographer you chose can't fulfill your needs and wants.

        Do you need personalized announcements or party invites, prints to send to relatives, wall art, books, banners, video? If so, you'll need to be on the lookout for a full-service photographer. They will help take some of the pressure off of your parents by doing the work of product building, print ordering, and delivery so you can concentrate on all the other tasks that come with graduation. Or are you looking for a thumb drive of images? Some photographers offer only prints and products, some offer only digitals and some offer both. You'll want to pay attention to this once you begin looking at websites. And if you don't see the information you're looking for, ask.

   4. When do you want your senior experience to happen?

       This part is not especially important in finding a senior photographer but it is important when checking the photographer's availability. Choose a month but try to flexible on the day. Also, some photographers shoot multiple types of sessions and will try to do senior sessions on a weekday in order to leave their weekends open for weddings or family time. If you are looking specifically for a weekend date, you might want to mention that in your first contact with the photographer.

     So now you know what you want your images to look & feel like, how you want your session to be, what you are going to do with your images and a month that you want your senior experience to happen. You are ready!

      It's time to start checking photographers out. This is the part that makes people want to give up. But not you! You are fully prepared to do this now. You know exactly what you are looking for and knowing is half of the battle! 

      You can do this in several ways. Google, Instagram, Facebook or friends who have already had a senior session. Whatever social media platform you find them on be sure to go to their website. Check their images to see if they fit with what you are looking for. Check their about page or bio so you can get a feel for their personality. Check to see if they are digital-only or offer prints & products. In other words, profile stalk. If you love what you are seeing and they fit with what you want and need, write them down! Share these choices with a parent and get their opinion. Narrow it down to your top 3.

     Is one particular photographer pulling at you? Can't get them out of your head? Contact them! Can't choose between those top 3? Contact all of them! Pay attention to how they respond to you. If you don't catch all the feels with their response, move on. Seriously. If you were on their website and everything about what they wrote inspired you, made you happy and you felt that connection and then their phone or e-mail response doesn't fit with what you read..move along. Example - I am the first to admit that I am awkward on the phone but I am always friendly and upbeat (unless it's really early). It's one thing to be awkward and another thing to totally not be who you say you are.

     Ok. You're ready! You now have everything you need to find just the right senior photographer for YOU. And when you find the right photographer, you can relax and trust them. And when you can relax and trust them, you will be at ease in front of the camera. And when you are at ease in front of the camera, you can be yourself. And when you are yourself, that's when beautiful images happen.

     If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask! I've got you!