Complete Guide to Senior Pictures 2025: From Planning to Prints

What to Expect from the Senior Pictures Process

Planning senior pictures for your teen can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to begin. That’s why I created this step-by-step guide to walk you through the entire senior portraits process. From the first inquiry to final prints, everything is designed to be smooth, fun, and completely tailored to your senior. Whether they’re excited or a little unsure about the session, we’ll make it feel natural and easy.

Step 1: Reach Out

Most parents contact me before their teen has thought about where they’d like to do the session, and that’s completely okay. You don’t need a plan in place to get started. Just reach out online or call me at 313-883-9500 with your availability. I’ll respond within 24 hours with everything you need to know to get the ball rolling.

Step 2: Book a Session

Once you’re ready, you can reserve your preferred date through the Client Portal. I recommend booking 3 to 4 months in advance, especially if you want a summer or fall session. A la carte sessions start at just $125, and there are longer portrait packages available that include more time and an account credit to purchase everything you want from your session.

By the way, I offer sessions all year. If you love the idea of snow senior pictures, there’s even a winter waitlist!

Step 3: Fill Out the Questionnaire

Before we plan the details, I’ll send over a short questionnaire with about 12 questions. It helps me learn more about your senior’s personality, hobbies, and preferences. These answers shape the entire session, so I ask that it’s filled out before we start picking locations or planning themes.

Step 4: Plan Your Session

Once the questionnaire is submitted, I’ll help you plan the session. We can do this by phone, text, or email, whichever you prefer. We’ll talk through different locations, outfit ideas, and any personal touches your teen might want to include. That could be a pet, an instrument, sports gear, or anything else that reflects who they are.

Not sure where to shoot? I’ll guide you through options and often refer families to my senior pictures portfolio for inspiration. Sessions can be done in natural settings, city backdrops, rustic areas, or a creative mix.

Step 5: Get Ready

As session day gets closer, I’ll send reminders and helpful guides to make sure everything is stress-free. Two great resources are:

• What to Wear for Senior Pictures
• How to Prepare for Senior Pictures

If the weather isn’t cooperating, we’ll reschedule. Wind is actually more likely than rain to push a session to a new day, especially when long hair or outdoor locations are involved.

Step 6: Session Day (The Fun Part!)

Now for the fun part. I’ll meet you at the chosen location and walk your teen through everything. The most common session is three hours, which allows for multiple outfit changes and a variety of backgrounds.

I help with posing throughout and make sure your senior feels comfortable from the start. I don’t bring music, but they’re welcome to play something they like if it helps them relax. We’ll keep things moving while capturing genuine expressions, real smiles, and authentic moments.

Step 7: Sneak Peek

Within a week after the session, I’ll post a sneak peek blog featuring one image from your teen’s shoot. I choose the image based on what I feel best represents the session. It’s a fun way to get excited about what’s coming and to share something with friends and family right away.

Step 8: Review Your Gallery

Once the images are ready, they will be published to your private online proof gallery. If you booked a portrait package, your gallery will stay live for two months. A la carte session galleries are available for 10 days.

You can review everything at your own pace. If you feel overwhelmed choosing images or placing an order, I’m happy to help walk you through the process. Many parents reach out for guidance and I’m always available.

Step 9: Place Your Order

Everything can be ordered right through the gallery including prints, digital images, albums, wall art, and more. Digital files come with full print rights so you can use them however you like.

If you want any photos touched up, you can add retouching options à la carte. Popular requests include blemish removal, teeth whitening, reducing glare from glasses, smoothing skin, or removing braces.

Still have questions?

Let’s talk. You can contact me online or call 313-883-9500 with questions or to check availability. I’d love to help you create a custom session your teen will enjoy and portraits you’ll be proud to share for years to come.