Hi there! You’re either a high schooler or the parent of a high schooler and realized that you need to find a photographer. Selfies and photoshoots with friends have their place but when it comes to your senior pictures…you need a professional.
What to expect
When you first start looking you probably already have a dollar amount in your head. You’ve seen specials on groupon or even ads on facebook for FREE senior pictures. (Please be wary of these, they can just be a way to get you in the door and then you’re stuck with fees at the end because of the small print.) You check out a few websites in your google search and you’re a bit shocked at the price. Am I right?
Senior Pricing in Portland
In the Portland area, you can find photographers at every price point. There are hobbyist that do it part-time, there are photographers that will photograph anyone or anything and there are specialty photographers. I’m one of the specialist kinds. I know, you’re already thinking cha-ching.
Photographers that specialize in senior pictures in our area can range from $500-$5000+. Yikes right? And you could say what I’ve heard over and over again from parents “Who spends $5k on senior pictures? I didn’t spend that on my wedding pictures!” Funny thing is, there isn’t just one and the ones that are at that price point don’t seem to have a lack of bookings!
Why I do what I do
I hope you’re still with me cause that isn’t me. I value my work and time of course but my dream clients aren’t dropping $5k. My dream clients are a bit like me as a teen. Maybe a bit shy, says she isn’t sure she really wants senior pictures but secretly really wants to look and feel gorgeous. She wants a beautiful image to hold on to and remember her teenage years. She might not seek the spotlight but she deserves it, doesn’t she?
I’m an introvert in an extrovert’s job and I love connecting to my clients 1 on 1. It’s why I’m a portrait photographer. It’s why I love working with teens. I remember those awkward years vividly and my senior pictures were one of the best experiences I had. I’m so happy when I can do that for a teen. To show her how beautiful she really is.
Senior Picture Pricing
I’d love to be your senior portrait photographer. My pricing for the Class of 2020 has two options. You can choose The Luxe Shoot or The Classic Shoot. Both are just $499 to book the date and time. With The Luxe Shoot, everything is custom to the senior. We’ll find the perfect locations, she’ll get pampered with professional hair and makeup, an extended photoshoot that can accommodate two locations and multiple outfit changes. Your session fee goes towards your purchase. This shoot has a minimum purchase of $1500 but most spend $1800-$2000+. As of this post there are only 2 in July and 2 in August left.
The Classic Shoot is new this year and has been super popular. Because I’ve been doing senior pictures for so many years, I know parks that are perfect for seniors. Each month, June-October, I’ll be at a different park so seniors can pick which is their perfect backdrop. I’ll also be in the Pearl District a few times per month because teens love the variety of backdrops from nature to city. This shoot is $499 and include 5 digital images and no additional purchase.
Let’s wrap this up
In the oversaturated instagram world these days, we see picture after picture of teens. They pose, do duck lips, pull a face and then ten minutes later hate it and delete it. Senior pictures with me aren’t just a quick throw away. These are pictures to mark this transition of life and capture a bit of who they are today. These are the pictures they’ll go back to in 10, 20, 30+ years to remember that they were in band or dance, or have their first car in a picture. And when they go off to college or to live on their own, you’ll want a picture framed on the wall or an album on the shelf to flip through.
Sorry if I got at bit heavy there, I’m a Mom too and I can already see how fast it all goes. Ok, don’t lie…you clicked to read this blog post because of the title. I know, its why I chose it. I do it too! I wanna find the best deal I can for what I want. I just want to make sure you get wonderful images of your senior for a price that you can afford.
Contact me if you have any questions or check out the page with details about senior pictures with me!
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