For Parents: Choosing Your Photographer

Choosing the right photographer for your teenager’s senior pictures is easy if you know what to look for; here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Style: First, make sure you and your senior like the style of the photographer. A great price means nothing if you aren’t going to get pictures that you both like. Look online at some of the other senior portraits the photographer has done. Do you like the posing? Do you like the expressions? Is this what you want for your senior? Is the website professional in appearance and function? A photographer’s website is an extension of his/her portfolio. If you don’t like the website, you may not like the work either.
• The Look: There are many different looks available today. Do you want a trendy, sassy, fashion look? Maybe you want very traditional portraits, or perhaps casual and relaxed. Most parents and grandparents prefer a more traditional look, and many seniors want a more trendy fashion look; make sure the studio or photographer can supply the looks that you both want. Will the photographer help your senior so he or she looks natural and relaxed in their portraits, not stiff and overposed?
• The Photographer: Take the time to talk to a few photographers.  Make sure you and your teen feel totally comfortable with them; if either of you feel uneasy, that may not be the best choice. Make sure that it is a photographer that deals with teenagers regularly, not someone who takes pictures part time or is just a hobbyist.  Seniors are unique in their personalities, needs, and desires. The photographer you choose should be able to provide an environment where your teen can be comfortable and express themselves, or the pictures will be boring and expressions will look fake or forced.  Look for a photographer who is happy and fun!
• Quality: Pay attention to the quality of the images.  Are the colors off a little bit? Are the highlights all blown out or is it out of focus?  This is an indication of someone who is not familiar with their equipment or post-processing software.  Images should be true to color, with proper exposure, and sharp, in focus.
• Once you have a couple of photographers you like, start considering your budget. Please don’t choose your photographer on price alone; this is too important! While considering price first may work for some things, anything you expect to have for the long term should be looked at differently. We don’t buy cars, boats, houses, or anything that lasts on price alone. Wendy Mayo has a wide variety of products and prices, and you are never required to purchase an expensive package!
• A professional photographer or someone with a camera? Today it seems like everyone is a “photographer” and claims to be a “professional” capable of doing senior portraits, but they have little or no training as a photographer. That can be a sad reality for many parents who choose these individuals. These so-called professional photographers believe that if they purchase a great camera, they will be able to produce great images. The reality is that the camera is only a small part of making great images. There is so much more to it, something these “professionals”” generally find that out as they practice on your teen’s senior pictures. A professional golfer doesn’t get to be a professional golfer simply by purchasing a great set of golf clubs and signing up for the tour. We all know that even if a golfer purchases the very best clubs available, it still won’t make them a professional golfer! It’s exactly the same with photography. Photography is an acquired talent that takes years to learn. Just like the pro golfer, race car driver, or quarterback, it is the talent AND experience that makes them a professional, NOT the equipment they own.

* Look for a true professional photographer who is capable of producing images that will make you and your senior proud to display.
* Look for a photographer who specializes in senior portraits.
* Look for a photographer who has experience, one who has photographed a variety of seniors.
* Look for a FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER; it really does make a difference!