What should I wear for my senior pictures?
Your senior pictures should be 100% reflective of YOU. The most important thing is that you are wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident - because it will definitely show in your photos. I do have a huge interest in fashion and styling though, so I love working with girls who share that interest, and I will absolutely love to help you put together your looks. In general, try to stay away from strapless dresses (unless you're wearing something over it), bulky or really flowy tops (which could make the tiniest person look big...and we definitely don't want that), anything that is too tight or revealing (Grandma Ruth probably wouldn't like that too much). Bring extra pieces for layering (jackets, cardigans, etc), your entire shoe collection, jewelry, hair accessories, and extra makeup. Make sure your nail polish isn't too chipped, either! Small details can really make a huge difference in photos. I also have a large collection of vintage clothing, purses, and accessories that I have with me at all times - so we can pull from my collection to add to your outfits, as well!

Can I bring a friend along to my session?
I definitely encourage you to bring a parent or friend (or both) along! However, please make sure that any friend you bring along will not be distracting during the session. I love having someone else there to help make sure we're getting natural smiles, etc., out of you, but it also needs to be someone who won't be trying to carry on a conversation with you as we're attempting to shoot!

Do you have a studio? Where will my session take place?
I do not have a studio. I feel that, especially for senior portraits, a studio would be extremely limiting, as well as not give any uniqueness to the senior's photos. So many senior portrait studios say, "Have UNIQUE photos taken in our studio" which usually means that you'll be sitting against the same backdrop as half of the students in your graduating class. I never shoot at the same location more than 2-3 times, and I never repeat locations for students that go to the same school! Prior to sessions, I have a general idea of areas that I'd like to shoot in, but the specific locations are usually decided after choosing outfits and driving around a bit to find the perfect spots for those particular outfits/styles.

If we're going to a bunch of different places, where do I change into other outfits?
That is really your decision, and based on your comfort level! Unless we're shooting in the middle of nowhere, we can definitely find a public restroom for you to change in between locations. Sometimes your parent/friend/I will stand outside of the car, blocking the windows, allowing you to change inside the car (if we're in an area with no restrooms nearby).

Why do you do senior pictures?
I really enjoy interacting with and working with young people. I'm 26, but I still feel like a teenager. I especially love the fact that I'm able to help teens (specifically girls) look and feel their best! My ultimate goal in any photography job is to make the subject look as amazing as possible, no matter what. I hope that at the end of your session, you will feel like a model! Any person that I work with is never just a name on a list to me. I've actually maintained some really good friendships with past seniors that I've worked with, and it feels so good to know that I have been someone who has helped, encouraged, or been an influence on along the way.

Can I choose more photos than the number listed for the session I chose?
Yes you can, however I do charge an extra $20 per photo for editing! I usually shoot 300-400 photos at each session (I just have so much fun!), so I know how hard it can be to narrow it down - but I'm also willing to help you choose which photos are the best!

What type of editing will you do on my photos?
I do very thorough editing, including blemish removal, evening of skin tone, highlighting/contouring facial features (like you might do with makeup - defining cheekbones, jawline, etc.). I will often do things such as darkening eye makeup, depending on the person/the photo. I'm very detail-oriented and do my best to remove any and all distracting elements from photos (visible lint or hair on clothing, weird things on the ground, weird things in backgrounds, etc.). In addition to the overall cleaning up of the photos, I do editing based on the location, lighting, clothing worn, and just what you like. Some people like bright & bold colors, some like a more earthy, vintage feel. I will usually give you 2-3 different edits of each photo, as well.

Are you going to make me lean against a tree or kneel down next to a little creek? Or do the resting-my-head-on-my-folded-arms thing?
Absolutely NOT! Trust me, my senior pictures were absolutely terrible (as were many of my friends') and I never want anyone to suffer the same misfortune that we did!! I'm not a fan of over-posing in photos - for the most part, I will give you a general idea of what we're going for, will give you a bit of direction, then just let you get comfortable and move naturally - from there I will adjust what you are already doing into something that will photograph wonderfully!

Can we shoot indoors?
I've done a lot of shooting in cool coffee shops, restaurants, antique stores, etc. If you have any places in mind, be sure to let me know, as we may need prior approval before shooting in certain public places. I also love shooting in cool houses/apartments that are decorated really nicely or have a lot of character. Talk to your friends and family members to see if anyone lives in or even works at a place that would be cool for photos!

Can we shoot at the same place that you took the pictures of _____?
If it is nearby and accessible, absolutely! Be sure to let me know if there are any photos or locations on my website that you like!  I try to shoot at new places for every session because I never want your photos to look like someone else's, but sometimes places are just THAT awesome :)