Whether you’ve been daydreaming about your senior photos since freshman year or Mom is dragging you along kicking and screaming…
Whether you freeze in front of every single camera or you’re an Instagram queen who already knows all your best angles…
Whether you have a vision of everything you need your senior photos to be or have no idea where to even begin…
Whether you’re obsessed with light and airy vibes or are all about that dark and grungy mood…
Whether you’re a small town girl, city boy, athlete, musician, bookworm, a little bit punk, a little bit preppy, or all the things rolled into one…
Welcome.
We’re going to have a blast.
Your senior pictures are going to be awesome.
Pricing
- Bargain
- $450
- 1 hour of shooting time
- 1 location
- 2 outfits
- 10 fully retouched photos of your choice
- Digital downloads of full-size unwatermarked retouched images
- Full rights to print your own images
- Standard
- $575
- 1 hour of shooting time
- 1 location
- 2 outfits
- 25 fully retouched photos of your choice
- Digital downloads of full-size unwatermarked retouched images
- Full rights to print your own images
- Premium
- $750
- 2 hours of shooting time
- 2+ locations
- 5 outfits
- 40 fully retouched photos of your choice
- Digital downloads of full-size unwatermarked retouched images
- Full rights to print your own images
How it all works
Your portrait location is completely up to you! Do you love nature? Architecture? Dreamy forests, urban graffiti, open fields of sagebrush, vintage buildings, old barns? It’s a tough decision, and if you’re not sure where to begin, I’ve put together a blog entry of my favorite portrait locations in the area for that very reason. I also recommend checking out where my other seniors have chosen to shoot recently on Instagram or Facebook to see what strikes your fancy. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed by all the choices but have a general idea of what you’re looking for, let me know and I’ll brainstorm with you!
(If you already have an idea of where you want to shoot, throw it at me! Anywhere in the Boise-Eagle-Meridian metro area is fair game! Locations further afield may incur extra charges, but I’m usually up for a little roadtrip so ask away.)
For one-hour sessions, we don’t have enough time to drive to more than one location, so if variety is important, pick an area with lots of options within walking distance.
For two-hour sessions, we can fit in multiple locations, although I still recommend picking options fairly close to each other so we can maximize photoshoot time. Think pairings such as Kathryn Albertson Park and the Boise Depot, the Old Idaho Penitentiary and the MK Nature Center, Freak Alley and the Military Reserve Park.
Let’s be real: most of us aren’t natural models. (Sometimes I tell the lucky few who are that they’re natural posers and they look at me weirdly, oops.) What are you supposed to do, stand in the middle of a field with your arms hanging awkwardly at your side? What do you with your hands? What do you normally do with your hands? It’s hard to remember when you’re on the spot!
Fortunately that’s where I come in! Ten years of experience in portrait photography = a LOT of know-how for turning normal people into terrific models in minutes. Even those “candid” snaps you see on Instagram require some prompts and posing tweaks, and I’m there to help you navigate it in a relaxed and silly way that never makes you feel self-conscious.
By the end of your session, you’ll be a pro at this, I promise. Bonus: think of all the new modeling skills you’ll bring to future impromptu photo ops!
Within a week (often within 48 hours!), I’ll send you a secure link to view all the photos from your session. Now the fun begins: narrowing down your favs. Each package includes a set number of edited images (Bargain: 10, Standard: 25, Premium: 40), with the option to purchase extra photos a la carte. Take your time reliving your session and fighting with family members over favorite shots, mark your top picks with a star, and shoot me an email to let me know you’re ready!
No photo looks its best straight out of camera: #nofilter isn’t a badge of honor in professional portrait photography! I edit each of your selected photos to look their very best while maintaining realism. Editing includes:
- Skin retouching to remove blemishes and acne, even out color and texture, and brighten under-eye circles
- Teeth whitening
- Elimination of glare on glasses and brightening of transition lenses
- Removal of distracting elements such as stray hairs, litter, people in the background, power lines, unwanted graffiti, phones in pockets, etc. (when possible)
- Color and contrast enhancement to deepen tones and give each photo that extra wow factor. Occasionally I’ll use other styles such as black and white or vintage toning for variety if I think it will look great on a photo – please note if you’d like regular color editing only.
I always take special requests for editing too such as slimming, hair enhancement, or particular styles, so ask away and I’ll let you know if it’s possible.
For editing examples, scroll down to the “Before & After” section!
Each session includes high-resolution unwatermarked downloads of your edited photos via your online gallery and a photo release giving you full rights to print them however you want. Many photographers require you to print through their studio and pay expensive markups, but not me!
If you’d like to simplify your photo order, you can also order directly from your gallery for top-quality, competitively-priced prints shipped straight to you via my preferred lab out of Santa Cruz – far superior to the likes of Snapfish and Walgreens. Boutique prints on materials such as canvas and metal are also available!
Before & After
FAQs
How far in advance should I schedule?
- Off-season (December-March and July/August): 2-3 weeks is usually enough lead time for weekdays, more for weekends
- High season (April-June and September-November): 2-3 months at least – ALL fall dates usually sell out by the end of August!
I always keep a waitlist and may be able to fit in last-minute bookings occasionally, too!
What days of the week do you shoot?
I’m typically available to shoot any day of the week, including Sundays! I only take a maximum of five sessions per week though and only one per weekend, so slots fill up fast. I take off most major holidays and am out of town on many summer weekends.
What time of day will our shoot take place?
The best time of day to schedule a portrait session is when the sun is low on the horizon, typically an hour or two before sunset (or a sunrise session if need be, but it’s often quite a bit chillier, and yawning + shivering isn’t ideal for photos!). Afternoon sessions aren’t completely out of the question, but when the sun is directly overhead, we end up making a beeline for shaded areas, which limits our options.
Do you do yearbook photos?
Not the tux and drape ones, unfortunately! Some schools allow their seniors to use on-location headshots, though, and I’m happy to get you set for those. Be sure to check on your school’s yearbook requirements and deadlines!
Do you do college senior photos too?
Yes! Most of the verbiage on my page is geared toward high school seniors since I work with them more often, but college seniors absolutely deserve their own photoshoots, too. Bring on the grad photos! Just remember to iron out those impossible wrinkles from your gown and stole for best results. BSU grads: allow lots of time for photos at the B – it gets mobbed in the spring, and we may have to wait our turn!
What should I wear?
That’s completely up to you! It’s great to have a varied assortment of outfits from fancy to casual, and if some ensembles can quickly be changed up by adding or removing something simple such as a jacket, scarf, hat, or other accessory, even better. If you have any wardrobe pieces of special significance—a team jersey, a family heirloom, an awesome costume—10/10 recommend. And if it’s chilly out, bring a heavy coat or blanket to warm up between takes!
What not to wear:
- Busy patterns – you don’t want to camouflage with the scenery…unless that’s your intent!
- Ensembles that make your mom go “You’re wearing that?!” – your session is not a good time to have a family feud about your wardrobe choice
- Outfits that are uncomfortable and require constant adjusting
- Transition lenses – they never look totally clear, even after editing
How many outfits can I bring? Where do I change?
We can fit in 2 outfits per hour of shooting, sometimes 3 if it’s a simple change like a shirt – more than that and we simply don’t have enough time to take photos! Some seniors are fine with ducking behind a few trees to change outfits, whereas others would rather return to their cars to switch gears, so factor in comfort levels and the complexity of the outfit change. It’s rare to have bathrooms nearby to use as changing rooms, so consider bringing a large blanket as a privacy shield!
Can I get photos with my family at the same time? BFF? Boyfriend/girlfriend? Pet? Car? Musical instrument?
Yes yes yes yes and yes! (Groups of 3+ are subject to an additional $25 group fee.) I highly encourage bringing anyone on Team You – fun photos together, moral support, and extra helping hands to carry outfit changes and play photography assistant! If you’re bringing a pet, consider allowing a little extra time for them to adjust to new surroundings and settle down. Fur babies are like small kiddos: they never want to cooperate on picture day!
What if the weather doesn’t cooperate?
One of the downsides to on-location photoshoots is that we do end up being a slave to the conditions…sigh! Overcast skies or a few drops aren’t a problem, but if the forecast is calling for heavier rain/snow or unusually high winds, I’ll rebook you (no charge). I keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to sessions and will let you know as far in advance if possible if the odds aren’t in our favor!
What if I get sick? Do you have a cancellation policy?
These things happen! Just give me as much notice as you can and we’ll reschedule, no charge.
What if I have a massive breakout on my face and everything is terrible?
I’ll edit it out so well no one will ever know. I’ve got you covered!
When do I pay you? Do you require a deposit to hold my spot?
No deposit needed to reserve your date, but please give me at least 72 hours’ notice if plans change! I do require a 50% deposit at the time of your session, with the rest due only after you receive your finished photos.
What payment methods do you accept?
I can accept checks, cash, Venmo, or Zelle. I can only accept credit cards via PayPal with a 3.75% processing fee.
How long after my session will I get my photos? What about the retouched versions?
My typical turnaround time is one week, although it may take up to a week and a half during busier times of year. If you have hard deadlines to meet, let me know and I’ll try to expedite things. Look for previews from your session on Instagram and Facebook a day or two after your photoshoot!
Why are senior photos so expensive??
I get it – when our 21st-century selves are used to snapping dozens of photos a day for free, it can seem unfair and unwarranted to pay someone else $$$ for the same thing…but it’s not the same thing! Portrait photographers invest thousands of dollars in camera bodies, lenses, lighting equipment, and editing software that far exceeds even the most sophisticated smartphone camera. Behind every click of the shutter is thousands of hours of practice and study in gear, lighting, and posing; after every click of the shutter comes many more hours of editing, editing, and more editing. It’s much more than the simple push of a button!
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