It’s your senior year (or almost your senior year), and one of the things you may be looking forward to is taking your senior portraits. In fact, that’s probably why you’re reading this. But how do you make certain you get the photos you want? I think it’s safe to say we all want our photographs to make us say, “Wow!” instead of, “Oh, I look okay”? So today I thought I’d share a list with you that will help you get the senior portraits you want! From what to look for in your senior photographer search to preparing for your photo session, this time-tested advice is a great cheat sheet to getting those picture-perfect shots.

1. Shop Around
With so many photographers available these days, you as a consumer have an awesome opportunity to search around and find the perfect photographer for you! Every photographer has a different skill set and a different style! Some photographers create more traditional portraits while others thrive creating something more natural and emotive. Some photographers prefer a vintage style, some shoot more high fashioned artwork. And there’s a range of experience and skill out there too! If you take some time to figure out what you like and how you want your senior portraits to reflect you, it will be much easier to find a photographer who matches your unique wants and personality!

2. Ask to See It All
As you shop around, be sure and ask for samples of entire senior photography sessions. One of the easiest ways to view an entire senior session is through an album or portrait book. Any photographer can take hundreds of pictures during a session and pick out three really good ones to show potential clients. But by viewing an album, you will be able to see if a photographer can consistently capture high quality images during the course of a whole session. It will also help you see how creative they are, and look for variety in poses and arrangements to ensure you’ll be getting the most creative options in your senior portraits!

3. Look to Connect
It is super helpful to find a photographer you can connect with and be yourself. Having your portrait taken can be nerve-wracking and stressful. Feeling comfortable during your photo session is the number-one most important thing if you want to have great, relaxed photographs. When you’re relaxed and comfortable around someone, you become more natural in front of the camera, allowing for even better pictures. So look for the photographer who you click with as a person!

4. Seek Out Service
While what you are ultimately looking for is photographs, don’t dismiss the importance of finding exceptional service. Great customer service can include anything from attention to details before, during and after your session to emergency kits during the sessions to making your session fun and stress-free. It’s anything that helps you enjoy your session and not worry about it. So hop online and check for testimonials and reviews. Ask your friends, browse photographers’ websites for testimonials, & check Facebook pages. You can even just ask the photographer for testimonials or information on how they would handle a particular situation to see if your needs will be met.

5. Do They Get to Know You
You’ve invested a lot of time (and let’s be honest, eventually money) in selecting your favorite photographer… now you want to see how much time they spend getting to know you. After all these portraits are supposed to be a reflection of you. Some photographers may have a survey or a questionnaire, while others may take some time to get to know you at an in-person consultation. Whatever their method – make sure your photographer gets to know you.

6. Get the Parents Involved
Your parents may have different tastes, and they do want what’s best for you, and they are paying for those pictures (usually)! Plus, they have the perspective of time. You may want to wear some really trendy outfits for your pictures, but parents know you may regret it in the future. It may be tough to imagine, but check out some of  your parents’ old photographs for what they were wearing in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. You might not think their outfits are very cool, even though they probably were back then.

7. Be Outfit-Savvy
It may seem silly how much we are talking about clothes, but they can play a huge role in the quality of your senior portraits. The main thing you need to do is be yourself and try on your outfits ahead of time. If you have a closet full of clothes, don’t feel like you need to run out and buy all new outfits. Instead go through your favorite outfits, invite a friend over, try them on and have them help you choose things that express who you are. Layering your outfits is always a good idea, too. It will give your photographer the opportunity to create a variety of different looks for you—taking off or putting on a scarf, jacket, hat, etc.

8. Pay Attention to the Details
There are some little things you can do before your session to help you feel more comfortable and confident and ensure great images. For example, if you tan before your portraits, build it up slowly, so the look is more natural…and you don’t burn. If you don’t feel confident about doing your own hair and makeup – you can always go to a professional for that on the day of your session too. Professional makeup artists and hairdressers do a great job of making you look natural and highlighting your best features. And don’t forget your nails – you can always get a mani-pedi before your session too. All of these are details that you can decide if they are the right choice for you and your session, but they are little things that can boost your confidence and ensure you’ll love every detail of your portraits!

9. Think About the End Result
Part of your photographer search and planning should include what portrait products you want. Are you just wanting photographs? Or something unique like a custom designed album or slideshow? Plenty of photographers offer digital images, but it’s best to go that route only if you have a plan on how to display them on your own. That’s one of the benefits of hiring a professional photographer who takes the time to get to know you. They will help you find products that are perfect for you and your home and guarantee the highest-quality keepsakes that will last forever.

10. Compromise Smartly
One of the best pieces of advice? Discuss a budget beforehand. Then gather information—based on the tips above—to support your best choice. Then when you look at the budget, your research in quality and service may help in making the decision about who the right photographer is for you. Budgets are important during your senior year, but if photography is really important to you, choosing a professional photographer who provides great customer service and an experience of a lifetime might be better than going to an amateur.

As you can see, it takes more than a nice camera to get those great senior shots you want. It takes finding a professional who’s invested in training and techniques, someone who knows how to hide your little flaws and bring out your best features. Someone who will go above and beyond to make you happy, comfortable and satisfied. Someone who will take the time to get to know you. Someone who might for the first time open your eyes to how beautiful and awesome you really are!