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!
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!
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.
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 a teen with Down syndrome has taught me through my photography
I have been a photographer for quite a while and have had many sessions with high school seniors. Seniors are easy - they know what to do, how to pose, and how to use the right angles to flatter themselves… especially the girls! :)
A little over a year ago, I was contacted by a Lake Brantley Mom who was inquiring about a Senior Aession for her daughter Abigail. I was super excited and at the same time a little anxious anticipating my session with the senior. Abigail was born with Down syndrome but she was no different to any other senior I photographed before. Like Abigail says: “I am a typical teenage girl except I have an extra chromosome”.
Throughout the whole photoshoot, Abigail was just a smiling happy teenager. Although she had a cold at the time, she still managed to pull everything off so well. I couldn’t believe her attitude, I was very impressed with her determination and positivity. Every picture showed different sides of her. Sometimes she was a teenager having fun, sometimes she was a woman, sometimes she was a young girl with a super confident walk. I hope she felt like a SUPERSTAR, because that is how she looked … just smiling and being herself.
Photographing Abigail has helped me to realize even more that kids with Down syndrome are precious gifts, and even with certain limitation, kids with DS can do anything they put their minds to. From NY Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, Pro Bowl halftime show with Jordan Fisher, meeting politicians in Washington, to TV commercials… there are no limits to Abigail! I learned so much with her ❤️
I photographed Abigail like any other high school senior. I wanted to bring her personality closer to the viewer — to show that she can have the same feelings and dreams and especially to show that Down syndrome is only a small part of her incredible story! I feel so blessed with the opportunity to meet her and her family.
A few words from Abigail and her parents:
“No matter who you are or where you came from, your success begins with you. Always follow your dreams! Down syndrome doesn't hold me back. Don't let anything keep you from being the best you”! Abigail Adams
“Our main goal has always been to give others hope. To share that our girl has done much more than others would ever imagine! We never got to go to Washington and advocate and meet politicians! We never were in TV commercials! We were told so many negative things when we were expecting and even people apologized when she was born and felt sad for us. We reminded them that we were thrilled to have a little girl and she was a baby first and just happened to have Down syndrome.” Steve & MaryAnne Adams
👉 Follow Abigail on Instagram and learn about her work representing people with disabilities
https://www.instagram.com/abigail_the_advocate/
👉 Abigail’s page: AbigailtheAdvocate.com
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbigailTheAdvocate/