THE KARA HANES
Let's just start off by saying: I know senior portraits may not be the thing you
are MOST excited about in your senior year. I totally get it: being in front of the
camera can be intimidating and feel a little bit like a chore or a box you have
to check to make your momma or your parents happy. But, I'm going to ask a
huge favor...just trust me that we're going to have fun. Seriously! The BIGGEST
thing I hear from my senior guys (and ALL of my clients) is that they're so
thankful I make the process quick, easy and painless. You have worked SO
hard for so many years to get to this point and you are SO close to
graduation...you DESERVE to be celebrated and have amazing photos to look
back on 10, 20, 30 even 50 years from now!
I have been photographing senior portraits for over 10 years. My goal is to make your
experience fun, make your shoot feel like YOU and give you images that you
are excited to share with your friends and family. So, please read through this
guide to learn everything you could possibly need to know about your senior
portrait experience...and let's brainstorm some fun ways to make your shoot
unique and get you excited! Want to photograph somewhere epic? Include
your car, your dog, your family? Let's make it happen! I want this shoot to be
something you're excited for, not something you're dreading...so let's work
together to make it amazing! See you soon!
Kara Hanes
HEY, THERE!
Your senior year deserves to be captured!
Senior Experience
I know you had a LOT of options for senior portrait photographers...so I just
wanted to take a moment to say thank you for choosing me to capture
your son's senior year. I know how proud you must be and how bittersweet
it is to know that he has worked SO hard for this moment for so long...and
it's finally here! I hope that the images we capture will be a celebration of
everything he has accomplished + will continue to accomplish over the
next few years!
While I know that *most* of my senior guys aren't super excited about their
senior portraits...my goal is to make it as FUN and as personal as possible. If
you are the one reading over this guide, I just ask that you let your son
know the important pieces! I try to make every senior experience as easy
and streamlined as possible...so I hope this guide answers any and all of
your questions to help you prepare and get EXCITED about this
experience!
If you have any questions arise leading up to our shoot together, please
don't hesitate to reach out and ask! And, if you have any creative ideas that
come to mind or sentimental moments/locations/memories that you'd
like featured during his session...I am all ears!
I can't wait to meet you and create some wonderful memories for you to
cherish for years to come!
See you SOON!!!
MOM AND DAD...
THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING ME
Now that we've gotten to know each other, let's dive into the good stuff!
I started this business in 2008 but it wasn't until a shift in my day to day job closed in 2020 that I discovered a love for senior photography. I have been involved in mentoring senior girls for that last 8 years and when they graduated high school in 2021 I realized senior photography was something I wanted to do more of. I'm a 37 year old who loves spending time with my husband Ben, my kids Caleb (16) and Naomi (14) as well as our adorable maltipoo Bella!
in case we haven't met...
I'M KARA
What to expect
Now that you are booked and things are officially official - let’s talk through the entire senior experience, step-by-step! Your senior experience starts NOW, and I want you to know what’s around every corner as you begin to prep for your shoot day!
01
Alongside this guide, you are going to receive a senior questionnaire to complete. This questionnaire will help me to get to know you, your style and your preferences so that I can create the best possible senior experience for you! Please take the time to fill it out thoroughly after reading this guide - the more info you give me, the more I can customize your experience and be sure your images reflect YOU! But, finish reading this guide first…there’s helpful stuff in here!
the prep guide & questionaire
02
the week before
As we get closer to the day of your shoot, you can expect to hear from me with our meeting time, location and final check-in! I photograph senior portraits at “golden hour” - either 2 hours before sunset or the 2 hours after sunrise. This time of day has the most amazing, glowing light, cooler temperatures and less crowds at popular locations. Because of this, I like to wait until we are 1-2 weeks from your shoot date to lock in an exact meeting time based on the time of the sunset. If there are clouds or rain storms in the forecast, this also allows me to plan around the weather to ensure we get the best lighting possible! So, if we planned for around 6pm…it may end up that 5:30pm or 6:30pm is actually the best time to meet. That is super normal!
03
the shoot day!
This section of the style guide could be its own book in itself! SO many fun things to talk
about on the day of your shoot! Let’s dive into what to expect each minute of your
senior session!
The importance of being on time
First things first: being on time for your shoot is VITAL.
And I don’t just say that because of my time…I say that
because we are on the SUN’S time. Since we plan your
shoot around the ideal time for golden lighting…being
late means that you lose that time off of your shoot.
Even being 15 minutes late means that we’ve lost 15
minutes of light. Once the sun goes down…we can’t
shoot anymore! So, try to plan to be 15 minutes early
for your session. That way, even if you hit traffic or a
delay…it doesn’t eat into your shooting time! If you are
more than 30 minutes late for your session, we will have
to reschedule for my soonest available date (which is
typically 1 month out).
the first 15 minutes
When you arrive at your shoot, the first thing we are
going to do is look through your outfits together! We
will run through them together on the day-of to map
out exactly where we will photograph each outfit and
when you will change. This helps us to go in with a
game plan and decide which outfit will look best in
which location.
Changing Outfits + Locations
I frequently get asked where my seniors will change
outfits on their shoot day…and the answer is almost
always in your car! Typically, the locations that we
shoot don’t have public bathrooms…which isn’t ideal.
But, you can take a break in your car for some heat or
air conditioning in between each outfit! If you’d prefer
to have a bathroom to change, just let me know
ahead of time and I will be sure to select locations
that have this option.
Posing + Shooting
The BIGGEST and most important thing that I want
you to know about your shoot day is this: I am going
to tell you what to do the ENTIRE time! You do NOT
need to have any posing or modeling experience. I’ve
actually never photographed a real model in my
entire 10+ years of being a photographer! Part of your
investment in your senior portraits is my experience
and ability to pose you and make you look (and feel!)
your absolute best. So, there’s no reason to be
nervous at all! I will guide you through every single
pose and I promise the BIGGEST compliment I get
from seniors is that I make it so easy. It’s going to be a
blast!
After we look through your outfits together, we will
start shooting! We typically spend 15-20 minutes
photographing each outfit before changing and
moving to the next spot. I try to always save the BEST
outfit for last…so keep that in mind when planning
your faves!
Who to bring with you
I request that at least one parent or guardian attend the senior session with us. This person will be there to help. This is especially important if there is a lot to look out for such as a great smile or the way you like your hair. Sometime they are a help to me when the sun is too bright or if you have things that we need to carry. What this doesn't mean is that said person tell you how to stand or where to look (don't worry, that's my job). I want to make you as comfortable as possible. If your parent has a request I ask that they talk to me privately so that you feel your best during the entire session. I do ask that you limit the amount of people that attend unless they will also be photographed. Sometimes when it becomes a party it can take up too much of your time during the session and I wouldn't want you to miss out on getting as many portraits as you want.
Another frequently asked question is “who do I bring with me!?” And this has a two-part answer!
Deciding who you want to be PHOTOGRAPHED with! One of my favorite additions to any
senior session is your favorite people. If you want to have your best friend(s), significant other,
parents, pet or anyone else join in your photos…they are more than welcome! I just request that
they wait to meet us until the last 25-30 minutes of your shoot. This way, we can make YOU the
focus for the majority of the session with minimal distractions…and still capture photos with your
favorite people as the grand finale! More on this later in the guide This is an aception if you're getting a group of people together for a session such as a cap and gown photos!
PART 1:
PART 2:
LET's talk locations...
Are they a big deal?
Aside from choosing outfits (which we are diving into next, don’t worry!) - choosing your
LOCATIONS is a huge part of what will determine the overall style and aesthetic of your
images. It also takes a little bit of logistical planning to map out where we will shoot and
the travel time between locations if you booked a full session. Overall, there are a few
things to keep in mind when picking where to shoot:
It’s actually not the location that matters most…it’s the LIGHT!
YEP. This is hard to understand if you aren’t a photographer, but hear me out: if you
have the most amazing location in mind with tons of cool views and backgrounds…but
it’s in the DIRECT sunlight all day long…it’s actually not an ideal place to shoot. It would
be better to have the session in a random field on the side of the highway with gorgeous
back-light coming through the trees…because the LIGHT is what makes the biggest
difference in the whole world! Trust me on this one!!
Try to think of an overall “feel” or “vibe” for your shoot…and let this guide your location choices!
While the location of your shoot totally matters…it may not matter quite as much as you
think. The majority of the images in your final gallery will be close-up images…meaning
you can’t see a whole lot of the background. What you CAN see is the colors, light and
overall “feel” of the location. For example, if you want a neutral, light feeling gallery to
match your home decor when you print your photos…we literally only need one white
wall to achieve that! If you want natural, beachy vibes…we don’t need to photograph
every image on an empty beach. We can do some in the water, some in the dunes,
some with trees nearby…you get the idea! The point is: don’t get so caught-up and
stressed over one specific location. Choose a “vibe” that you want…and I can help you
pick spots that will make that happen!
I have one request: pretty please TRUST me on this part!
When I tell you that some of my most
AMAZING images have been created in the
weirdest locations…I mean it! I’ve had images
published in magazines that were taken by a dumpster. I’ve asked my seniors to
crawl into random bushes and sit in crazy
positions to get the right angle. I’ve even had
clients walk out on scary rocks in the middle of
the river for an epic shot! And, they all got
some of the BEST work I’ve ever created
because they TRUSTED me as their
photographer. I may have an idea or location
suggestion that sounds crazy…but it’s because I
have 10+ years of experience finding the
lighting and composition that will create stellar
images. Even if it sounds insane! So, my
biggest request is that you trust me even if I
sound crazy…I promise you’ll always be glad
you did!!
2024 Sunset Schedule
I base all of my senior sessions around the sunset during what is called "golden hour" or when you get the best light. This is usually within 2 hours of sunset. Below you'll see times indicated when the best time to do your session would be based on the sunset in Allendale, Michigan. If you are doing a session more inland this may cause the time to adjust earlier
MONTHS
next
prev
The Week of May 5
8:51pm Sunset- Session start 6:45pm
The Week of May 12
8:58pm Sunset- Session start 7:00pm
The Week of May 19
9:06pm Sunset- Session start 7:00pm
The Week of May 26
9:13pm Sunset- Session start 7:15pm
(Not a recommended month for the beach)
The Week of May 5..............8:51pm Sunset................Session start time 6:45pm
The Week of May 12..............8:58pm Sunset................Session start time 7:00pm
The Week of May 19..............9:06pm Sunset................Session start time 7:00pm
The Week of May 26..............9:13pm Sunset................Session start time 7:15pm
(Not a recommended month for the beach)
The Week of June 2
9:18pm Sunset- Session start 7:15pm
The Week of June 9
9:23pm Sunset- Session start 7:15pm
The Week of June 16
9:26pm Sunset- Session start 7:15pm
The Week of June 23
9:28pm Sunset- Session start 7:30pm
The Week of June 2..............9:18pm Sunset................Session start time 7:15pm
The Week of June 9..............9:23pm Sunset................Session start time 7:15pm
The Week of June 16..............9:26pm Sunset................Session start time 7:15pm
The Week of June 23 ..............9:28pm Sunset................Session start time 7:30pm
The Week of July 1
9:28pm Sunset- Session start 7:30pm
The Week of July 7
9:26pm Sunset- Session start 7:30pm
The Week of July 14
9:22pm Sunset- Session start 7:30pm
The Week of July 21
9:17pm Sunset- Session start 7:15pm
The Week of July 28
9:10pm Sunset- Session start 7:15pm
The Week of July 1..............9:28pm Sunset................Session start time 7:30pm
The Week of July 7..............9:26pm Sunset................Session start time 7:30pm
The Week of July 14..............9:22pm Sunset................Session start time 7:30pm
The Week of June 21 ..............9:17pm Sunset................Session start time 7:15pm
The Week of June 28 ..............9:10pm Sunset................Session start time 7:15pm
The Week of August 4
9:02pm Sunset- Session start 7:00pm
The Week of August 11
8:52pm Sunset- Session start 7:00pm
The Week of August 18
8:42pm Sunset- Session start 6:45pm
The Week of August 25
8:31pm Sunset- Session start 6:30pm
The Week of August 4..............9:02pm Sunset................Session start time 7:00pm
The Week of August 11..............8:52pm Sunset................Session start time 7:00pm
The Week of August 18..............8:42pm Sunset................Session start time 6:45pm
The Week of August 25 ..............8:31pm Sunset................Session start time 6:30pm
The Week of September 1
8:19pm Sunset- Session start 6:15pm
The Week of September 8
8:07pm Sunset- Session start 6:00pm
The Week of September 15
7:54pm Sunset- Session start 6:00pm
The Week of September 22
7:41pm Sunset- Session start 5:45pm
The Week of September 29
7:29pm Sunset- Session start 5:30pm
(End of the month is not a recommended month for the beach)
The Week of September 1..............8:19pm Sunset................Session start time 6:15pm
The Week of September 8..............8:07pm Sunset................Session start time 6:00pm
The Week of September 15..............7:54pm Sunset................Session start time 6:00pm
The Week of September 22 ..............7:41pm Sunset................Session start time 5:45pm
The Week of September 29 ..............7:29pm Sunset................Session start time 5:30pm
(End of the month is not a recommended month for the beach)
The Week of October 6
7:17pm Sunset- Session start 5:15pm
The Week of October 13
7:05pm Sunset- Session no later than 5:00pm
The Week of October 20
6:54pm Sunset- Session no later than 5:00pm
The Week of October 27
6:43pm Sunset- Session no later than 4:45pm
(Not a recommended month for the beach)
October start times must be done earlier due to more overcast during this month once the sun has set behind the clouds we can't shoot anymore
The Week of October 6..............7:17pm Sunset................Session start time 5:15pm
The Week of October 13..............7:05pm Sunset................Session start time 5:00pm
The Week of October 20..............6:54pm Sunset................Session start time 5:00pm
The Week of October 27 ..............6:43pm Sunset................Session start time 4:45pm
(Not a recommended month for the beach)
October start times must be done earlier due to more overcast during this month once the sun has set behind the clouds we can't shoot anymore
The Week of November 3
5:34pm Sunset- Session no later than 3:30pm
(Most colorful leaves are gone from trees after this week)
The Week of November 10
5:26pm Sunset- Session no later than 3:15pm
The Week of November 17
5:19pm Sunset- Session no later than 3:15pm
The Week of November 24
5:14pm Sunset- Session no later than 3:00pm
November start times can be earlier due to more overcast during this month
(Downtown Grand Rapids is recommended for this month)
The Week of November 3..............5:34pm Sunset................Session start no later than 3:30pm
(Most colorful leaves are gone from trees after this week)
The Week of November 10..............5:26pm Sunset................Session start no later than 3:15pm
The Week of November 17..............5:19pm Sunset................Session start no later than 3:15pm
The Week of November 24 ..............5:14pm Sunset................Session start no later than 3:00pm
November start times can be earlier due to more overcast during this month
(Downtown Grand Rapids is recommended for this month)
This part can be SUPER overwhelming - I know! So, let's break it down to be really easy.
Typically, for my guys I recommend only 2-3 outfits for their session. To get the MOST variety possible, I recommend doing
one casual look (shorts and a collared shirt, for example) and one more formal (a blazer
+ bow tie). You can also opt to have one of those outfits be a sports uniform or college
tee - or throw those on at the end for a few quick shots! The next few pages are some
general tips to help guide your choices.
WHAT TO WEAR
1. be comfortable & Be Yourself
The NUMBER ONE, most important thing to remember when planning your outfits: if
it’s not comfortable to wear in real life, it won’t make you feel confident on camera! If
you aren't someone who likes to dress up or ever wear a suit jacket...I don't
recommend doing it now. In order to make the pictures look MOST like you...they
should be a slightly elevated version of an outfit you would normally wear. Don't try
to push yourself too far outside your comfort zone! A suit can be a great option for
LinkedIn profile pictures and professional head shots...but it's not a necessity!
2. CONSIDER USING COLOR
When choosing outfits for your senior session, you want to draw attention to your face. For rustic, natural locations brown and tan colors as well as earth tones (like a lot of the
greens that you see in this guide!) are good options. For city industrial locations reds, yellows, and jewel tones always look amazing.
3. HAVE SOME VARIETY
Like I mentioned above, you want to feel and look like yourself...but you don't want all
of your photos to look the same. So, even if you don't dress up and don't want
pictures in a jacket or suit...try to think of at least two outfit options to bring along with
you. Even if it's just a change of your shirt!
4. EMPTY YOUR POCKETS!
I will do my best to remind you of this on the day of our shoot, too...but don't keep
anything in your pockets during photos! Your phone, keys, wallet, etc. will all show up
in your pictures as a random square in your pocket...and we don't want that!
5. ACCESSORIZING ISN'T JUST FOR THE LADIES
Consider bringing along a nice watch or two, a belt, cuff links if you are wearing a jacket, a
hat if you are wearing your sports gear...think outside the box a bit! Bringing along
additional pieces like this allows us to get a lot of variety in your photos in a short
time, and make them feel more like YOU! I do however recommend avoiding items like apple watches that will not stand the test of time.
inspiration
Scroll through the below sessions for inspiration from previous seniors who NAILED it with their outfit choices + styling for their session!
BRADY
Brady had a 90 minute session in downtown Holland. He went with lighter tones which look great for that light and airy look. For a second option he threw on a sweater to give some texture and warmth to his session. It give a little variety as well.
click for full post
ZACH
Zach had a 90 minute session at the Grand Ravines in Allendale. His classic white button down shirt with blue jeans was perfect for the red barn and greenery that was everywhere during this summer session. If he wanted to add something extra for a quick change he could throw a sweat on over his top for a second look or better yet, a jacket.
click for full post
ELI
Eli had a 90 minute session in downtown Holland, and then at Holland State Park. I LOVE how much variety we were able to get in just these two outfits! He brought a zip up jacket and t-shirt as and then his khakis with a button down for his 2 main outfits. It worked perfectly!
click for full post
Connor
Connor had so many options with his outfits and it was so much fun. He is a fan of specific movies so he wanted to represent that in his session because that is who he is. We finished at the beach with a more drressed up casual outfit that perfect for mom and dad's preference and it all came together nicely.
click for full post
OTHER WAYS TO PREP:
Aside from your outfits, there are a few other quick things you can do to look your absolute
BEST and be super prepared for your senior session!
1. Plan a haircut a few days (up to 1 week beforehand)!
This is something that is super easy to forget until it's too late! You likely don't want a
haircut the day before or day-of, just in case it's a little short immediately after.
Getting a haircut about a week in advance is typically the perfect amount of time for it
to look natural + like YOU, but without it begin overgrown or too long!
2. Shave or manicure facial hair the morning of
Another important element! If you are someone who likes a clean shave, be sure to
do this the MORNING OF your session. Not the day before...we'll see a little bit of
shadow if you do it too far in advance. If you have a beard or any facial hair, just be
sure to trim it up and manicure it the day-of, too!
3. Clean your nails
4. Moisturizer + chapstick
May sound silly...but it matters! Be sure to cut your nails and clean them up just a little
bit before your shoot.
Listen, I'm not here to tell you that you need a 5-step skincare routine...but pretty
please be sure your skin + lips are moisturized and not dry or flaky. This can be super
hard to edit out and appear natural, and it's super easy to avoid!
Make it feel like YOU!
This is clearly a theme of this entire guide! The
goal of adding in props or accessories is to make
the shoot feel even more like YOU. Try to think
creatively about the things that make you who
you are. What are your hobbies? Favorite colors
and styles? Extracurricular activities? Are you an
athlete with medals and trophies that you want
to highlight? Do you already know your plans for
college and want to have celebratory images to
share about your next steps? Let’s do all the
things!!!
Ties + Watches + Class Rings
One of the best parts about bringing extra
options for props is that it gives us VARIETY. I
already mentioned this once in this guide,
but the little details matter! Think about ways
you can add elements to your outfits that are
sentimental or a little more attention to detail
than your typical day-today. This will add a
lot to your photos, I promise!
PROPS & ACCESSORIES
Now that we have a better idea of the overall style for your session based on your
outfits and locations…let’s add in the personalized details! First, let me clarify: this part is
TOTALLY optional! If you don’t want to add any props or personalization to your shoot…
you don’t have to! All we need is YOU to make your shoot amazing. But, if you want to
personalize your shoot even further and add in some fun “extras”...this section of the
guide is going to help you!
SPORTS + HOBBIES
One of the easiest + best ways to customize your senior experience is to add in some
of your favorite things that you do every day! I've had seniors want to highlight the
sport they play, their favorite foods, their love for reading, shopping or flying
planes...I've done it ALL! Use this section of the guide to start brainstorming ways we
can creatively incorporate what makes you YOU!
Athletics + Sports
If you play a sport that is a huge part of your high
school career...we need to highlight it! You can bring
along your uniform + equipment (soccer ball, lacrosse
stick, etc.) for some really fun photos. You can also
consider adding in any medals, trophies or letters you
have to highlight
Football + Basketball
Let me just start by saying these are BOTH also
sports...but they deserve their own section! I was a
cheerleader myself, and it is so fun to capture these
photos. Bring along your uniform + poms or your
dance shoes + we will get some really amazing action
shots of you!
Hobbies + Artists
As a photographer and artist myself, I love finding
creative ways to highlight your talent! If you paint,
write, read or are a photographer yourself...let's show
that off! We can find some really fun ways to highlight
this, and I would love to have you bring along any
pieces you are proud of to incorporate in your
images!
Favorite Things
Incorporating your favorite things into your pictures
can be really creative...and also really funny! Are you
someone who can't live without your daily energy
drink? Have a Chick-Fil-A obsession? Super proud
your car or motorcycle? Let's brainstorm together to
find some fun ways to highlight these things at your
shoot!
cap & Gown photos
If you already have your cap and gown before your shoot (or want to order a cheap
one on Amazon even the tassle) - we can get cap & gown images at your session! We can get some more candid
lifestyle images of you looking like a GRAD!!! This is a perfect session to book for you an a couple friends email me if you'd like to set something up.
Pick the right outfit underneath!
Because the gowns typically look a little like a
potato sack (let's be honest), I typically
photograph my seniors with them un-zipped to
be a bit more flattering! I recommend wearing a
neutral colored dress shirt or a coordinating
colored bowtie underneath - this looks really
traditional and timeless underneath the gowns. I
also recommend a neutral pair of shoes! We will
get images with it both zipped and un-zipped, as
well as with the cap and without - just so you
have tons of options!
Bring your tassel
+ decorate your cap!
Don't forget to bring the tassel for the top of
your cap (most highlight your graduating
school year!) as well as any additional cords,
awards or elements that you want to
highlight! If you choose to decorate your cap,
doing it before your shoot allows us to get
cool detail photos of it!
COLLEGE GEAR
Already know where you plan to head to school next year? AMAZING! The biggest
congratulations to you!! If you want to celebrate by capturing some images rocking
your college gear, let's do it! I typically tell my seniors to bring this as an "additional"
outfit . We'll throw it on
for a quick 5 mins and give you the perfect photo to announce your plans for next year!
What to Wear:
A super fun way to highlight your
university is with a football or other sports
jersey! If you are planning on playing a
sport at college, you can also bring your
own gear to use in these photos. If not,
just grab a college tee, hoodie or
crewneck to throw on! If you want to
bring along your acceptance letter or a
fun sign, we can capture that, too!
I've got you covered!
Now, for the slightly less fun part...let's address a few quick things that
could go wrong at your session. These are some frequently asked
questions that I get about common problems that can pop up...and I want
you to feel as prepared as possible! I've been doing this for over a
decade....so I've seen it all! And, I'm confident that we will get you amazing
images no matter what gets thrown our way!
frequently asked questions:
Here are some questions that I get often, and what to do if anything goes
wrong leading up to your shoot date!
This is by far the most asked question I get about things that could go wrong, which makes
total sense...because bad weather happens all the time! If there is bad weather in the forecast
for your shoot, rest assured that you have options and I am MORE than happy to reschedule! I
typically wait until we are 1-2 hours out from the session to make a final decision about
weather because it changes so often.
If there is a 50% chance of rain or LESS: It is TOTALLY up to you whether you want to move
forward with trying to shoot, or if you'd prefer to reschedule to another date. If we shoot and it
DOES rain...we will have to finish the session despite the weather (we can't do two shoots if
you decide to move forward but the weather doesn't cooperate). But, we can make some
REALLY cute photos happen in the rain!!! However, if you have your heart set on glowing light
and bright images...I'd recommend rescheduling to be safe.
If there is a 50% chance of rain or MORE: My professional recommendation in these scenarios
is to reschedule. Even if it doesn't end up raining...it's always better to be safe than sorry,
especially if you are really excited about bright, sunset light in your photos!
Wind: There has only been one time I've had to reschedule a session for bad wind...and it was
CRAZINESS! Typically, we can shoot despite the wind if we are strategic with WHERE we
shoot. But, if there are crazy gusts and you would prefer to move to a day when we know
your hair won't have flyaways...we can make that happen!
Fog: Typically, fog is only an issue with sunrise shoots....but I've had it happen! If there is
severely thick fog, it will impact your images because they will be cloudy and grey...which is
not my typical shooting style that you booked me for.
Cloudy: I have a lot of seniors who get worried about cloudy days because they think their
images won't be as bright and beautiful...but rest assured, that's not true!! Cloudy days are
actually AMAZING for photographers...because it means there are no harsh shadows!! Unless
it is a seriously grey day with heavy fog or severe storm clouds...cloudy days are our friend!!
AND they aren't as hot!!
That is COMPLETELY okay! We will make the final call 1-2 hours before your
session. Part of the reason I only take 2 senior sessions per week is to leave TONS of
room open for rescheduling if we need to. Typically, you won't have to wait longer
than a week if we have to move your date!*
*This does NOT include needing to reschedule because of poor planning, running late or any other reason. These reschedules are required to book for my next available Monday/Thursday date - which is typically 2-3 months out.
My skin is breaking out like crazy...HELP!
We've ALL been there! Don't worry one bit. I am happy to remove any large
blemishes in Photoshop - you won't even know it happened! Promise!
Where am I going to change my clothes?
I mentioned this briefly earlier in the guide...but it's a question I get a lot! Typically, my
seniors choose to change their outfits in the car. A lot of the time, we are
photographing at locations that do not offer public bathrooms, so it's the quickest
option! I recommend trying to organize your outfits + accesories ahead of time to
make this process super quick and easy. If you would feel more comfortable
changing in a bathroom, just let me know ahead of time - I'm happy to select your
locations based around which ones have public bathrooms!
GALLERY DELIVERY
YAY! It takes 2-3 weeks to edit your senior images, then you'll get an email with the link to your full gallery! This is where you will be able to purchase downloads, share and print all of your high resolution digital images. You can purchase individual image downloads or the entire gallery. You can also individually save purchased photos to your phone to start sharing on social media! The next few pages of the guide will walk you through how to use your gallery and the best ways to print and display your new favorite photos. Be sure to come back and reference this after your session!
After your shoot, my favorite part of the process is sharing your sneak peeks! I truly get just as excited about your images as you do…and I go home straight from your shoot to edit a handful of my favorites and get them in your hands ASAP! You can expect 1-2 sneak peeks to be shared the within 2 days of your shoot…and you are welcome to share them anywhere you’d like, too!
The Sneak Peeks
Editing your final gallery typically takes 1-2 weeks, and gallery delivery day is THE MOST EXCITING!!! I will send you the link to your final gallery in an email. This gallery is where you can easily purchase downloads, share and print all of your high resolution digital files. Your gallery is SO easy to use, and my hope is that it makes purchasing your images easy. Here’s a peek into what it will look like:
The Gallery Delivery
You will be prompted to log into your gallery with your name and email. This is for your safety and my records! This way, I know exactly who is viewing your gallery and downloading your images...and you know that random people can't get access to it without us knowing! Additionally, you can favorite images and I can see them on my end...which makes it easy for me to help you order prints and products!
Logging In
The top of your gallery will have a section called "The Highlights". These images are what I think are the BEST of the best...my personal favorites from your entire shoot. Whether it is an epic location, the perfect shot or awesome lighting...you'll start off your gallery experience scrolling through the best of the best! From there, the rest of your gallery will be in chronological order.
"The Highlights"
There are quite a few ways to purchase downloads+ save your digital images! When you are looking at your full gallery, you can click the buy now button which will then prompt you to add it to your cart.
DOWNLOADING YOUR IMAGES
Lastly, you can click full gallery or individual download from your phone. However I don't recommend downloading the entire gallery to your mobile device as these files are extremely large and will use all of your phone storage.
You can download your senior photos on your phone the SAME way you can download them on a computer - it's super easy! For the best quality, I recommend downloading them on your computer. This way, you can view them in large size and save them to your back up devices. You can also text your gallery link directly to your friends and family if you want them to be able to log in and view the photos for themselves! Just remember that your gallery is only available for 30 days. If you decide to purchase your gallery download let me know and I can turn the expiration off. I can also send you a mobile app with this purchase to keep right on your phone! Simply just request this after you've made this purchase. Unfortunately there is no exception for the gallery expiration unless you purchase the full gallery download.
#SENIORSUNDAY
Now for the fun part: sharing your images!
printing your images
I truly believe so deeply in the power of printing your images and displaying them in your home. There is something so special about having a physical copy of these memories to cherish and pass down to other family someday. I have physical photo books of my anniversary pictures, family pictures, and I flip through them ALL the time! You took the time to invest so much money into your senior session...why not print the images and have a physical way to cherish them and share them?
As you know, I do not have any purchase minimums or requirements in terms of printing your images. They are yours to share and print from whenever you prefer! But there is the option to purchase professional-quality prints and products through your online gallery. This is the ONLY printing option that I personally and professionally recommend in terms of quality and durability. If you print somewhere else, I can NOT guarantee that the quality of the images will look the same as they do online, or that the products and prints themselves will be durable.
My honest suggestion is this: if you want to print your images larger than a 4x6…the professional printer through your online gallery is the best way to go.
In the next few pages, I am going to walk you through the "shop" portion of your senior gallery. This is where you can find prints, photo books, canvases, graduation cards and more directly through my professional printer!
Prints & Canvases
accessing the shop
When you are inside your full gallery, you will see two options at the top: "GALLERY" and "SHOP". You can toggle between the two SUPER easily!
When ordering prints, you will see all of the print TYPES in the left-hand column and all of the SIZES on the righthand column. Depending on which size you select, it will likely prompt you to "adjust crop" for each image.
It will open up a window that looks like this so you can customize the crop and be sure nothing important is getting cut off! I recommend centering the people in the photo for the best cropping.
SENIOR BOOKS
One of my personal favorite ways to print senior images is in a senior book. They are also the most customizable option - you can pick the cover material + color, plus I'll spend time curating your custom pages. These are all done outside of your online gallery because I highly value these and want them to be done well. These are very popular too. You can order these here
These make AMAZING gifts for family members, too!
GRADUATION CARDS
Want a super fun way to announce your graduation or invite people to a grad party? These graduation cards are absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the professional print quality means your images will look incredible featured on each card! There are TONS of amazing design options for these!
Grad Cards
