Questions to ask a Senior Photographer Before Booking
What you need to know before hiring a senior photographer
You and your parents have finally made the decision that it is time for your senior portraits. You are excited and ready to start the process. The easiest part is done. Now the hard part begins. What photographer do you decide to book your session with? This can be very nerve wracking and cause lots of anxiety and stress. Last year I wrote a blog post on How to “Pick the Right Senior Photographer”, https://www.shawnspencerphotography.com/blog/2021/9/8/how-to-pick-the-right-senior-photographer-for-your-senior-photos?rq=Senior%20Photographer. I laid out 7 tips to selecting a photographer that will fit all your qualifications and make your senior portrait experience is amazing. One way to ensure that you select the right senior photographer, is to reach out and ask the photographer a lot of questions before booking him or her. You want to make sure that you have all the right information before making that final decision.
After 15 years of experience in Senior Photography, I have come up with my top 20 questions to ask your senior photographer before booking and why each question is important for feeling comfortable enough to finally book your senior photography session. I have also created a checklist that you can download at the bottom of the screen.
1. What type of packages do you offer, are they customizable, and what exactly do I get with my packages?
Most photographers have some sort of pricing guide that outlines what packages they offer. Make sure it is detailed and you know exactly what you will be getting for your investment. You want to make sure that you are satisfied with what you will be walking away with in terms of images, products, etc.
2. How long is a senior session?
Check to make sure you have enough time to get all the outfits and poses you want, and to not feel super rushed. The average senior portrait session is roughly 1-2 hours.
3. How many outfit changes do you get with your session package?
Most photographers limit the number of outfits, which could be a deciding factor in who you hire. Keep in mind the session time and know that outfit changes can take up time, but you also want to make sure you can have some variety in your gallery of images.
4. Is my preferred season for your session available?
Picking a time of the year to do your senior portraits is just as important as deciding a location. If you have always dreamed of your senior photos to be taken in the fall, but your photographer is already booked – you want to know that before you book a session with that photographer.
5. What locations do you often shoot at and how many locations do you get with your session package?
This can be one of the most important steps because you want the area you are doing your session to fit your style and what you envision for your senior portraits. It is important to know what locations your photographer can offer you. Find out if they shoot solely in the studio or outdoors. Look at their portfolio to find out which locations they have shot at before and ask if they are willing to go to new places with you. If you have some location you’ve been dying to have your session at, always make sure you photographer is on board to go that extra mile for you.
6. Can I have a family member/ a friend come with me to my senior session?
I know that I often have seniors who bring a mom, sibling, or a best friend with them to encourage them while they model for the shoot. Find out if your photographer is open to the possibility, or if they have strict rules regarding this policy. Their answer to this will most likely help you find out what kind of personality your potential photographer has. If you’re looking for someone who is willing to provide a great experience along with photos, this question might help you weed out who you want to schedule your senior session with.
7. How much senior photography experience do you have?
Experience can be a key player when it comes to a senior photography investment and should be weighed along with a photographer’s portfolio. Be sure to ask to see an extensive portfolio of their work. My advice: find someone who has a great portfolio (i.e., ask to see a full gallery from one of their sessions instead of just the highlights from a few different sessions!), and weigh it against their experience.
8. How far ahead should I book?
Most photographer’s schedules begin booking up fast especially right before the fall season and the sprint season, so I recommend calling the photographer 2-3 months prior to your ideal time of year. Booking early ensures that you will get the date you want and will also help you plan your outfits and ideas early on.
9. What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate, and it is necessary to reschedule your portrait session?
We all know that weather can be unpredictable and can ruin the best of plans. It is important to find out the photographers’ policies on weather and know the flexibility and spontaneity of your photographer beforehand. Communication is key so you want to ask the photographer how they handle these types of situations.
10. What is your cancellation policy?
We all know that life happens and sometimes something happens to necessitate a schedule change. Make sure you know what you are signing up for in case you must back out for any unforeseen reason. If you are someone who often runs into the problem of rescheduling due to a busy life, find a photographer who matches that and can have a fluid schedule for you. Additionally, look for a photographer who has great communication skills, and can get back to you quickly and effectively. Most photographers have some sort of cancellation policy so find out what it is and if it matches your needs.
11. Do you have liability insurance, and will you have a contract for me to sign?
It is super, super important to find out whether the photographer you are dealing with is running a legal business, and if they are liability insured. If you injure yourself at a shoot, and you are dealing with an illegal, uninsured business, you are liable for all costs and have no come-back. It is also important that you get a contract to sign, both for your protection, and the photographers. Most contracts will set out exactly what you can expect from your session, how long it will be, and what would happen in the unlikely event photos are lost, or weather means your session cannot happen.
12. Will you help me pose, and plan my session?
Taking photos can be very intimidating for anyone, especially if you get a bit nervous in front of the camera. Ask the photographer questions about the session and how they will work and what is expected from you. Most photographers are trained to help you pose, guide you on hand placement, and put you in the most flattering light without stressing you out.
13. Do you require a deposit or retainer and if so, how much is it? Is the deposit or retainer refundable or transferable?
Make sure you and the photographer are on the same page and determine how much you will have to pay upfront as well as how soon it the amount due to officially book your session. Deposits can be refundable, but most retainers aren’t. Find out the photographer’s policy. Again, life happens. Find out what you’re getting into and what will happen if something comes up and you can no longer make your scheduled session.
14. What is your turnaround time?
Make sure your photographer has a reasonably quick turn-around time, or at least gives you an idea of when you can expect to see your session photos. You don’t want to get close to your graduation party and still not have your photos.
15. How do you deliver photos?
An online gallery is the most popular form of delivery. Make sure it is something that is easily accessible for yourself and when sharing with friends and family.
16. Will I have the rights to print my images?
This is a very important question. If you want to print graduation announcements or even use your senior photo in your yearbook, you need to clear it with the photographer. Many photographers provide rights to all digital images, allowing you to print as many copies as you’d like, but it’s important to be sure before you do so.
17. How long do we have access to the photos?
Verify you will have enough access time to your gallery to go through them, make favorites, purchase downloads and prints.
18. Can we order prints and albums directly from you?
Find out how the photographer handles tangible products such as prints, albums, and digitals. Will you be able to print through a third party, or do you have to go through your photographer?
19. What is your backup system like? Do you carry backup equipment?
Experienced photographers should always carry some sort of backup equipment on your session day. You would hate to get all ready, just for their gear to unexpectedly not work and not have a backup. Ensure you’re hiring a photographer who has a very secure back-up system in place for the digital files in case something happens. You don’t want to get a dreaded phone call saying they lost all your files.
20. Do you offer retouching or corrective services?
Know if your photographer offers these services and to what extent they are included in the package. If they are not included, they may be on a quote-basis.
The key take away is to know what you want before talking to you potential senior photographers. Look through the above questions, make up your own questions, decide what is most important to you when it comes to your senior portrait experience. Ask yourself what your make is or break for each possible answer. By asking all these questions ahead of time, you can hire someone who the right fit for you is and who can provide the experience and product you are looking for. Remember, ultimately you want to make sure that you are comfortable with your senior photographer, so you can feel relaxed and enjoy the experience. This will show in your images, and you will be glad you invested the time into the necessary research selecting a senior photographer who gives you exactly what you hoped and dreamed for!
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