Senior Portrait Timeline Explained!
What to expect when you book your senior portrait session!
Are you a rising senior (current junior, soon to be senior) or the parent of a soon to be senior? You know you need to start thinking about senior portraits for the school’s yearbook, but you aren’t exactly sure how the process works. I’m here to explain the entire senior portrait experience from booking to picking your yearbook photo. So you know exactly what to expect when you book your senior photos with me!
When should you book?
The first thing before you start the booking process is to figure out when you want to take your senior photos. The ideal time to have your senior portraits taken is typically during the summer before your senior year or the fall of your senior year. Before you decide when you want to have your senior photos taken, you should know what your school’s yearbook deadline is! Most of the local schools have deadlines starting in October through December, but it varies greatly so definitely check in with your yearbook advisor if they haven’t already shared the deadline with you.
Once you know when your yearbook photo is due, you can plan your session around that. Make sure you give yourself about 3 weeks (at the minimum) before your yearbook photo deadline! This will give you time so you don’t have to rush to pick which image you want for your yearbook photo. (I can definitely accommodate quicker turn around times, so reach out and check if your deadline is closer then 3 weeks).
Step 1: Read through my pricing guide!
Now that you’ve decided when you want to book your session, you should head on over to the senior photo section on my website. It has a link to my pricing guide that explains the different session options I offer. It also has a dedicated area to answering some frequently asked questions.
You’ll want to review the pricing guide (with your parents) before you head to my booking site so you know exactly what you want to book for your senior photos. My pricing guide explains what is included with each session as well as what add-ons you can choose when you book your session.
Step 2: Head to my senior photo booking site!
Now that you have reviewed my pricing guide you are ready to book! You are going to head to my booking site, it is linked on the senior section of our website, but you can also access it here! The booking site is where you can see exactly what dates I have available for senior portrait sessions. This makes it easy for you to pick the perfect date that works with your busy schedule.
You will select which session you want (VIP, Premium or Standard). Once you have selected your session date and session type and fill in your contact info, I get an inquiry that you want to book. I will adjust the start time of your session based on when sunset is and how long your session is and will send you an email with your personalized booking link for you to officially book!
It’s important that you use an email that you check regularly!
If you don’t get a message from me within 24 hours check your spam folder!
Step 3: Officially Book your session!
Once you get the official booking email you will want to finish up your booking, so keep an eye on your email! You have 48 hours to officially book your session, otherwise I open the date up for other interested seniors. I can only hold a date for 48 hours because I have lots of seniors interested in booking.
To officially book your session you will need to first choose if you want any add-ons. The perk with purchasing an add-on now is you get a 25% discount if you pre-purchase it. You’ll get to pick from a few digital image collections, print collections or albums.
You will then sign the contract and fill out the questionnaire, it asks questions that help me get to know you better, some of your interests as well as how open you are with posing. It also helps me determine and what type of location you want for your session. The more details you share in the questionnaire the better!
Step 4: Pick your senior photo session location!
I have a variety of locations to pick from for senior photos. I am constantly scouting out new locations in the area that are perfect for senior photos. Depending on which session you book will determine the locations you can pick from. I’ll also review your questionnaire answers and send you some options that fit the vibe you want for your session. Want flower, I’ll send you all the locations that fit that look. I have Pinterest boards that show photos from most of my popular locations, to make it easy for you to pick!
Step 5: Read my session prep guide & get ready for your session!
I have a session prep guide that outlines how to prep for your session. I recommend you read it as soon as you get it. It has tips on what to wear, hair and makeup and what to expect during your session. If you have any questions about what to wear don’t hesitate to get in touch, I’m happy to help!
You’ll get a reminder email the day before your session. If there is any concern about the weather and it looks like we might have to reschedule I’ll reach out to you and let you know. I don’t like cancelling sessions until the day of, because the weather can change so much in a few hours.
Make sure when planning your outfits that you give yourself enough time for clothes to be delivered if you are ordering online! I’ve had more then a few seniors tell me they had to switch up their outfits at the last minute because they didn’t come in on time.
What to expect after your senior portrait session!
I’ll post some sneak peeks on my instagram and facebook the day after your session. I will tag you in the sneak peek so you’ll know when it’s shared.
About a week and a half after your session you’ll get your proofing gallery emailed to you. Your proofing gallery has basic edits done to all of the images. Your job is to pick which image you want for your school’s yearbook. Make sure you follow the guidelines for your school when you select your yearbook image.
If you purchased a digital image collection, I’ll instruct you how to pick which images you want. I will then do some additional edits for any of the images you have selected and then deliver them to you via your gallery. Purchased an album? You’ll select your favorite images and I’ll start the design process for it. Purchased a print collection? I’ll get the filenames for the prints and send them to the lab for printing.
If you didn’t purchase a digital image collection, album or a print collection with your session you will have the opportunity to do so from your proofing gallery.
Now that you’ve read through the entire senior portrait experience from booking to yearbook photo selection I hope you are excited for your senior photos.
Mr+Mrs Drew Photo are senior portrait photographers based out of Chelmsford Massachusetts and the Greater Lowell Area. Amanda’s (Mrs Drew) goal is to bring out every senior’s personality in their images and is dedicated to making sure that every senior feels confident and amazing during their session. Mr+Mrs Drew is now booking the Class of 2024. To learn more about being an MDP Senior, click here.
