Questions to Ask Your Senior Photographer Before Hiring Them (Plus Our Answers)
Choosing the right photographer for your senior portraits is a big decision, and it’s important to ask the right questions! We actually encourage it—because we want you to be fully informed before making your choice. That’s why we start with a Design Consultation before any photos are taken. We’ll cover everything from locations to print options, ensuring you’re comfortable and excited about your session. Here’s what to ask:
Why do you like working with high school seniors?
This is a key question! Senior year is such a special milestone and we’re passionate about celebrating it. We love working with seniors because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment that deserves to be captured by someone who truly cares about your student’s experience. We pour our hearts into making each senior’s session memorable, unique, and fun.
How do you typically work with seniors to plan their sessions?
We start with an in-person design consultation to get to know your senior and create a vision for the session. We’ll discuss locations, clothing choices, props, and more. We also go over pricing, our process, and the heirloom products we offer, such as coffee table albums and fine art prints, to help preserve these memories for years to come.
Do you shoot with off-camera flash?
Yes, absolutely! Whether we’re in the studio or outside in the sun, we always use off-camera flash. This ensures your portraits are evenly lit and eliminates issues like dark shadows under the eyes, which can happen in natural light.
Do you provide prints?
Always! While your senior might be most excited about their “Senior Sunday” Instagram posts, there’s nothing like holding a printed portrait in your hands. All of our senior collections include print options, ranging from coffee table albums to wall art and other keepsakes.
Do you provide digital files?
Yes, we believe we live in both a digital and tangible world, so we need copies of both.
Do you have backup equipment?
We take the reliability of our gear very seriously. While most senior sessions are captured on two cameras, we always have extra lenses, lights, batteries, and more on hand. Everything is prepped, charged, and checked before each session.
How do you handle editing and retouching?
We only deliver fully retouched portraits. Every photo you choose to order will be carefully retouched by Jean herself. All our editing is done in-house to ensure the highest quality and a personal touch.
Got more questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Send us an email or fill out the form below to schedule your Design Consultation. We’d love to help you get started and make this experience as special as possible for your senior!
JEAN JOHNSON PORTRAITS
LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER | PERSONAL ARTIST | FAMILY HISTORIAN
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Instagram: @jjshotme
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Serving as senior portrait photographers for families in Sammamish, Issaquah, Snoqualmie, Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, North Bend, Carnation, Woodinville, and the greater Seattle area.