3 Things to look for when choosing your senior photographer

Choosing a senior photographer is a big deal. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it requires both time and money, and you should feel comfortable and confident from start to finish. The right photographer doesn’t just take great photos; they guide you through the entire process. Here are three tips to help you choose a professional photographer for your senior pictures.

1. Look for consistency in their work

Professional photographers consistently produce images that align with their style. As you browse their website and social media, pay attention to whether the look and quality of their work feels cohesive and matches what you love.

You don’t want to fall in love with one or two standout images, maybe from a friend’s session or a single post, only to discover that the photographer can’t consistently deliver that same look across an entire gallery.

Red flags: They only show one or two images per senior session. They don’t have enough images on their website or social media for you to be able to tell if they are consistently producing work you like.

2. Their images are properly exposed

A professional photographer’s images should be well-exposed, sharp, and thoughtfully edited. While some styles intentionally break traditional “rules,” those choices should feel deliberate, not accidental. When exposure is done well, you can see texture in clothing, detail in lighter areas, and depth in darker tones, without anything looking harsh or washed out. Images should be sharp with the subject in focus, especially the subject’s eyes, unless using blur for movement or other artistic intention.

Red Flags: Blurry/out-of-focus images. Images that are too dark or too light with blown whites and highlights, and lack details in the whites and blacks.

3. They should provide good customer service

Senior pictures only happen once, so it should be smooth and enjoyable! Your photographer should guide and educate you, so you have a good experience and result. How do you know which photographers are likely to give you good customer service?

Green flags: They respond to your emails/phone calls in a reasonable amount of time. Their emails and pricing guide include more information than just prices. The prospective photographer provides helpful details about what to expect, and they have a process that involves more than just collecting payment and showing up on the day of. They offer to connect in some way before the shoot to answer questions and get to know you. They have testimonials from happy clients.

Red Flags: They don’t seem to have a clear process. They only send you pricing without explaining what’s included or what to expect. They ghost you.