I’ll be honest with you; the products I offer are not the one-hour special – I want to learn about what makes you interesting, and then design a senior portrait session that captures what makes you unique and gives you a chance to stand out. This takes time, but we can make the experience fun – whether your version of fun is a fashion shoot or a quiet day with friends. Getting senior photos shouldn’t be like a trip to the dentist!
Along the way we will also get your parents (and grandparents) great images for the wall or create a photobook that they can show to friends while you are at college! We can also customize your photography session to match your budget and give you the best bang for your buck!
If a customized senior portrait session interests you, just keep reading!
-Sean
“Sean, you honestly just helped to heal a giant part of my soul. I cannot thank you enough for taking your time to shoot with me!”
The Process
planning your shoot
Every session starts out with a good conversation! I generally prefer a face-to-face conversation with you and at least one parent to start, either at your home, coffee shop, or a local studio depending on what is convenient for you. During this consultation we can get to know each other and start planning your senior session. We will also choose a location and wardrobe that best fits you and your interests; whether that is outdoors, in a photography studio, or a favorite hang-out!
After we meet I’ll send you a copy of the plan to review and help you prepare for the shoot. If you get an awesome idea later that week, let me know — we can always update details ahead of the shoot. I always like to start with a good plan and then add variations as ideas strike us.
The Day of the Photoshoot
Most senior sessions are planned for later in the day (the light is better) and last for a good 2 hours depending on our plans. The shoot will begin with you getting your makeup and hair done as we discuss the plan for the shoot and you and your support person (typically Mom and/or a friend) settle in. Our goal is to capture you and your personality at your best, which means you being comfortable!
Then we will get you in front of the camera. At each location I will guide you into poses that best fit the look and the feel that we want for those images. During this process we will make sure to get the shots we need to satisfy your parents but we can also throw in other fun ideas as the opportunity presents itself – it is always fun to get a little crazy at the end and get more creative with makeup and props!
the reveal
At the end of the session we will schedule a reveal session about two weeks after the photo shoot to let you see the images and make your final selections to build out your package. These reveal sessions can be one of the most fun aspects of the whole process because you get to see the result of our hard work!
After the reveal session I’ll do the final editing of the images and deliver the final prints and products that we decided on within two weeks. Beyond the printed images, you will receive digital versions of the images you chose in your package which are great for posting online. But most customers really only appreciate the images when they see them printed – you can’t easily scroll by a photo when it is two feet wide printed and mounted on your parents wall!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can we retake my yearbook photo?
Generally, no. In the San Francisco Bay area most schools already have a company supplying the images for the yearbook and it is best if they all match. But, we can definitely create images that will stand out everywhere else, including Instagram!
How much does it cost?
Session fees start at $299 -- that holds your spot on the calendar, includes a professional makeup artist, and includes $100 in credit towards print and digital image packages. In some cases the session fee will be higher to cover travel, location fees, or any exotic props.
Print and digital photo packages vary based on what you are looking for -- a typical senior will spend $500 on prints and images.
I’d like to work with you but do I live too far away?
I serve most of the San Francisco / San Jose Bay Area, although my local area is Fremont, Union City, and Newark. There is no additional fee for travel within 30 minutes of Fremont (which includes Mountain View, Redwood City, and Hayward). If you are farther than that, ask, and let's see what we can work out!