What to look for when hiring a senior photographer

It’s your senior year…AH! I’m so excited that you are planning to document this huge moment!

This is such an awesome time in your life! Hopefully you have been considering hiring a professional photographer, because we all know, an iPhone or even some entry level cameras just won’t cut it.

By now, you may just be searching around on IG, seeing who some of your friends have used. Before you start buying outfits and choosing locations, it’s soooo important to really pay attention to the style of photography that you want. This is one of the main reasons you should pick a photographer –– before you look at packages, pricing, etc.

If you don’t like the photographer’s style, the way they shoot and edit, it’s not going to be worth it!

What Does “Style” Even Mean?

STYLE: The way the photos are taken and edited and how the people in the photos look.

There are a million ways photographers describe their styles –– light and bright, dark and moody, looks like film, crisp and clear, cinematic, colorful, very adventures and wide angles, close up portraits, very stylized, or simple…the list is endless!

Really this just comes down to preference. 

I obviously love warmer tons, clean editing with pops of color and contrast, so I gravitate towards those types of photos. But I have a ton of friends that love the “moodier” tones that look more cinematic and I think they’re beautiful as well, but just not my style.

It’s difficult to ask a photographer to shoot and edit in a way that is different from their previous work and you won’t be allowed to edit the photos differently later, so think about your choices when making the investment!

What Type Of Posing Do You Like?

Next is looking at the way the people look in the photos –– do you want to be really joyful? Do you want more model-like? Girl next door style? Lots of candids? Or more strategic posing?

Most of the girls I work with want laughing photos with a little more control over the way they look. For example, I am a very directive photographer meaning I tell you exactly what to do and make little tweaks along the way. This usually lasts for the first part of the shoot and then we get really comfortable with each other and can be more playful –– if you’re feeling up for it! My seniors laugh with me the entire time, specially because sometimes I have no filter 😉

This is totally a preference - I love the candid photos, especially when people are laughing and spinning around. I LOVE the golden hours with the beautiful/soft light shinning at my seniors. I love to move around - we will NEVER stay at same spot for too long.

LMP Senior Experience

What To Expect From My Senior Experience?

With LM Photography, you can expect:

• Bright colors and light (unless we are in golden hours/end of afternoon): all different kinds of backgrounds, bright colors and lots of LIGHT, and LOTS of portraits. I love to capture my girls/boys laughing and smiling.

• “Directive posing” because my goal is to make you feel natural but also give direction so you never wonder what you have to do with your hands!! This makes it easier for girls who may feel a little shy at the beginning before we really get to know each other. I promise I’m here to have fun too!

• High quality images: LM Photography invests in top level equipment to make sure high quality images can be produced, that can be printed in large format products (like canvases and wall prints) and stand the test of time.

• Natural and beautiful edit: One main factor to consider is how the images have been edited. Skin tonality is VERY important to me! Do the senior have pores, freckles and natural skin tone? These aspects are important to observe because what you see in my portfolio will most likely be how your very own senior images appear. Blemishes can be removed but I will NEVER give you a plastic face, all editing will be very natural.

There are different senior photo processes that will allow you to choose which one is best for you depending on your needs. Choose the photographer you will feel more comfortable with, look at their work and google reviews. If you have questions about finding your style, feel free to drop them below so I can help you out!!

What you need to know before your Lifestyle Session

What is a Lifestyle Session?

A lifestyle session aims to capture the everyday moments in a beautiful way. It’s captured in your home, with your own surroundings, and your own memories. One day you can look back on the photos and remember that bedspread you had, the toys across the floor, the nursery set up, and those couches you spent your days and evenings on. Lifestyle photography aims to express the essence of you and your family, with minimal posing and no additional props. With newborns, it aims to catch those little details – such as the tiny toes, the way they hold onto your finger, the resettling in your arms when they won’t sleep, or the multitasking of holding a baby while making lunch.

Where do you take photos in a Lifestyle Session?

Photos are taken inside your home, and usually in the areas where you spend the most time. When I arrive, however, I’ll have a quick walk through to see where the best lighting might be – and maybe I’ll suggest something strange like having a little picnic in the hallway instead of the kitchen because the light is better in the hallway! Most of the time there are at least some photos taken on Mom and Dad’s bed – and sometimes the kids will even be allowed to jump on it if allowed (just this one time!).

What do we do in a Lifestyle Session?

The aim of Lifestyle Sessions is to photograph you and your family in a REAL way – not just in a way where everyone is dressed nicely and smiling for the camera. Lifestyle sessions have very minimal posing – although situations will be set up so that we can capture some of the memories you want to freeze in the time allocated for the session. For example, we may see you dressing your little one, reading your

child a story, doing dishes together, making a cake together, playing a board game together – whatever is real and relevant for your family. If it’s a newborn lifestyle session, we may just see you just laying and looking at your new little baby and their little toes and gorgeous features, you feeding your baby, dressing your baby, or putting him/her to sleep. Before the session I encourage you to think about the things that make your family special and let me know the type of things you might like to freeze in time.

We will also likely just spend some time with your family hanging out on your bed. You don’t all need to be sitting nicely and looking at the camera – although we will often get some of those as well – lifestyle is all about keeping those real and genuine connections. What happens when the kids start jumping on the bed? What happens when your little one comes in for a snuggle? In your session just be as relaxed as possible. The aim isn’t to be perfect – the aim is to be genuine.

Do I need to clean the house?

No! Lifestyle is real and authentic, so things don’t have to be perfect. However, I would recommend some decluttering and a basic tidy – you just don’t need to go crazy! Especially if you have a newborn, you don’t want to be worrying about everything looking perfect!


What do we wear?

Lifestyle is about being genuine and authentic. There is no need to go out and buy new outfits (although – any excuse for a new outfit, right?!). Wear clothes you feel relaxed in and comfortable. Avoiding tops with logos is very important! Also keep your hair in a way that won’t cover your face at time of session. Having said that – avoid wearing your worst/oldest gym clothes that you might normally wear around the house on the weekend! A nice jumper or jeans with hair loosely tied back,

looks beautiful and natural because it is a good compromise between being too casual, and being too dressed up. With kids, you might like to let them choose what to wear so that they feel that they can let their little personalities out. For example, if they want to wear their tutu and tiara – let them! It captures who they are at this moment in time! You may want to restrict their choices, so that they at least pick something you have pre-approved!

How long does the session go for?

Lifestyle sessions usually last for 1-2 hours. If there are particular activities you really want to show, but they are only done at certain times of the day (example:

putting your little one to sleep) – then let me know and we can try to book the session so that the time suits. Many activities can be recreated so that they are done at times you wouldn’t normally (example: making pancakes at lunch time instead of breakfast, or getting your little one dressed in pj’s in the middle of the day), but some do require very specific timing.

Please give me a call or text 407.773.2463 if you have any questions! I am excited about capturing this fun day for you and your family :)