How to choose the best Colorado senior portrait photographer for you

It's finally time to choose your photographer for your Colorado senior portraits! Here are some tips for finding the best senior portrait photographer for you.

Your ideal senior photographer will:

1. Be a good fit style-wise and personality-wise

   It's a good idea to take a look at a potential photographer's Instagram profile as well as their website, including their portfolio on their website. This will give you a good sense of their style, the consistency of their images and if these align with what you're looking for. Also, do you have an opportunity to meet with him or her or talk to them ahead of time to see if you feel comfortable? You want to feel at ease during your senior portrait session to get the most genuine images and to have fun.

2. Prepare you for your senior portrait session

   It's a good idea to ask what happens between booking your session and showing up on the day of your senior photos. It is helpful if your photographer provides information on what to wear, what to bring, what to expect, and how to prepare for your photos. This ensures your Colorado senior picture session goes smoothly and is enjoyable!

3. Personalize your senior photo session

   How will your senior photographer create a senior portrait session that reflects who you are -- your interests and talents, your personality, your style? I sit down with my seniors for a planning session ahead of time so that I can hear your ideas and we can plan your experience together. This results in senior pictures that are uniquely you!

4. Offer final products you want

   You are probably looking for digital images that are Instagram worthy, while your mom probably wants a portrait of you on the wall so that when you head off to college, she has a piece of you. I understand where you're both coming from, and I make sure we get the looks, vibe and images you're after in addition to checking the box of the yearbook photo and close-up portraits that parents will love.

5. Focus on service vs volume

   Do you want a volume photographer who books with you online, spends an hour with you their camera and never sees you again? Or do you want more? I mean, you've waited 17 or 18 years to get to this point in your life. I strive to make your family feel like VIP from the moment we meet. I want this to be an experience you'll remember. I want this to feel easy and fun versus stressful and just one more "to-do" for senior year. I offer the highest-quality heirloom products so that you can show your images to a future partner or family. We'll meet up multiple times throughout the process, and I'm cheering for you all through graduation and beyond.

6. Specialize in high school senior photography as a profession

   Does your senior photographer do this for a living? There are many part-time or hobby photographers out there. Or maybe you have a neighbor or an aunt or a friend who takes photos. Choosing a photographer to capture your once-in-a-lifetime milestone images is a big decision. A professional senior photographer is going to have the proper permits to go to a variety of locations, insurance to protect both of you in case an accident were to occur, own professional lenses, lighting and other equipment to capture the highest quality images, and have the knowledge and experience to know how to position and pose you and use angles, lighting and lenses that are the most flattering for you.

   
   

There is a lot to consider when making a decision on who to use as your Colorado senior photographer. I hope that you'll consider me and Five Parks Photography if you are in the Boulder, Denver, Arvada, Broomfield, Westminster, Louisville or Golden area. Take a look at my portfolio, and reach out with any questions you may have!