Congratulations!  You or your child is going to be a senior!  It is time for you to start thinking about senior pictures.  We understand that task can be overwhelming to you, knowing who to choose for your photographer and what to consider when choosing that photographer.   Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing that photographer to get the perfect match to capture your senior year.  

1. Location

Do you want a similar style as your friends?  Or are you looking for something different?  When looking for your senior photographer, be sure they offer locations that appeal to you.  You want different backgrounds to maximize your variety.  You should choose a photographer that can guide you to the best locations to match your style and personality.  You are unique, and your images should be unique too!   An outdoor session at your favorite location might pair well with a studio session!

2. Experience

All photographers have to start somewhere, but you don’t want a beginner to use your once in a lifetime senior session for practice!  You will have these images for the rest of your life to remind you of this important moment in time.  Make sure you check if your photographer is a Certified Professional Photographer from the Professional Photographers of America.  These photographers have to pass written and practical tests to show they can effectively produce great results for their clients.  When you hire a CPP, you know your getting someone who is willing to go the extra mile to deliver the best possible images.  They are business owners who drive on customer service and satisfaction, and they continuously aim to produce products that exceed your best expectations.

3. Consistency

Is the photographer you are looking at consistent with their delivery?  Some amateur photographers might have a good eye and “get lucky” on a few shots.  But, you will want to choose an experienced photographer who consistently produces good quality work through the entire session. You want every image to be just as incredible as the next!  Ask your photographer to see multiple images from one session to make sure the entire session is top notch!  Check out the sessions below!

4. Perfect Editing

It is important to choose an experienced photographer who knows how to professionally edit your images.  You want natural toned skin that doesn’t look like plastic!  We hand edit all ordered images to create a clean classic timeless portrait.  We do not run trendy filters on every image from the session can call it good. Also, remember to keep things timeless.  While it is really fun to have a few images with the latest trending style, you will not want your entire session to be that way.  Think back to the "selective color" editing style!  It was fun while it lasted, but it was just a fad.  Fad's come and go.  You will want something that lasts and stays true forever.  Here is a sample of our classic before and after editing.  

5. Photo Products

While getting digital files is great for posting to social media, we have clients tell me that they are so glad we don’t just give them a flash drive of images.  There is nothing like receiving a leather bound album, or a custom wall portrait, or custom designed announcements with your images.  These are things that will become even more special over the years than those images buried in your social media profile or stuck in a drawer on a flash drive.  Make sure your photographer provides the heirloom quality photo products you would like in addition to the digital files!

6. Testimonials and Reviews

What is the first thing you would do when trying out a new place to eat?  Check their reviews!   No one wants to go to a restaurant that gets bad reviews! The same if for photographers.  Check out their client testimonials.  It is important that your photographer not only proved amazing images, but also delivers and experience and great customer service that is second to none. Check out some of our testimonials here!

7.  Turn Around Times

When choosing your photographer, make sure you are clear on their turn around times for your images.  We have heard stories of photographer who get too many clients and then take months for them to get images and products back to their clients.  Sure, we have times that are more busy than others, but at Kari Douma Photography we only take on as much as we can handle while delivering products in a timely manner.  

8.  Communication

How long does it take for your photographer to answer your inquiry?  How is your photographer communicating with you?  Does your photographer return your calls or emails?  Communication is the first contact you have with your photographer, and if your photographer is not doing well here, it might be best served to move on before you find yourself frustrated when they are not getting back to you in a timely manner down the road.

9.  Booking

Once you’ve found the perfect senior photographer that you want to work with, it is time to book!  Do not wait.  A lot of senior photographers book up quickly, especially if they are in high demand.   Summer is the perfect time to get those senior portraits done before things get too crazy.  Most schools in our area have a late fall or early winter deadline for the yearbook.  Once school starts, between school, sports, or after school jobs it is difficult to find a time that works for everyone.  We typically recommend booking your session 1-2 months in advance.