Find a Senior Photographer
My name is David, and I’m a Kalamazoo Photographer.
It’s finally time to hire your Senior Photographer. Either for yourself, or for your son or daughter.
It can be a little overwhelming, intimidating. Or, even a little frightening. There’s a lot to consider. You want the best, but you also want unique, and, personal, and within your budget.
I get it. That’s what I want for you guys too. Let’s see if we can figure out what you’re looking for in your photographer.
Let’s get you the right photographer.
Price
First things first. We need to establish what your budget is. This can be one of the most difficult things to figure out. I know what you’re thinking. “You’re a photographer, you like to take photographs. Why do you charge so much?” Or, something like that anyway.
It’s a common opinion. There are a lot of friends and family you know with nice cameras. A few of these are perhaps capable of taking decent photos. But, by and large, you’re not going to get decent photos from your cousin’s wife. Trust me!
Do me a favor. Take a few minutes. Find the absolute best picture your friend took that you are basing your decision to hire, or let them do your senior session. Do a Google search for your area of senior photographers. There’s a very very good chance that if you click on the first search result page. Grab anyone of the pics off that page you’re going to find a much better photograph.
Or at just look at it on Facebook real quick. Compare it to this:
Let’s just answer a brief question. Are you able to see the difference in quality of photographs? Or the difference means little to you. Then by all means your cousin’s wife is perfect for the job.
If you see the difference, the quality means something to you. After all this the Senior’s final year. What we photograph today, will be available to the generations to come. That’s an awesome feeling.
The truth is that a good photographer despite loving their craft is going to charge for it. We like photographing seniors. It’s a unique and fun experience. But, we also need to make sure our passion is sustainable.
This list sums up what I’m saying. Your cousin’s wife is on the left. The pros are on the right. When you look at the back of the camera when your photographer shows you. When you see something that you don’t like. We’ll be able to figure out how to fix it, get it to your liking.
While a good photographer can get great photos even with entry level equipment there’s massive advantages to using pro grade equipment. Search Full Frame DSLR in Amazon. You’ll start to get an idea of what we’re looking at for just the starting point of the equipment. Lens are just as much, if not more. Flashes, modifiers. Software, Computers. Then there’s training of one sort or another. Hours and hours of study, practice, refining, and start over again.
Plus, we want to eat, and save for retirement.
There’s a very good chance that what you’re expecting to pay for a photographer can probably be doubled.
Please remember that while a good photographer seems like a lot of money. It really is an investment. The photos that you and your photographer create are going to be available for your grandchildren and beyond.
I’m sure that there’s going to be a considerable expense in getting the right clothes, makeup and hair. Either invested with a hair and make up artist or with plenty of time at home working on it yourself.
Don’t let your photographer give you out of focus, poorly lit photos!
Google Search:
Like most things we’re looking for answers for we turn to Google. Google works very hard at making the strongest most helpful and related search terms rank on the first page.
So, If you do a Google Search for: “Photographers in my area”, or “Photographers near me” that’s a great place to start.
Get a list together open a few tabs. Right click to save a sample of your favorite photos they show.
Once you have a list of 5 photographers that fit into your revised budget. Really dig in there and start looking at the things you do like about the photos. The bad things that you don’t like.
How is the lighting? What about the poses? Is it a style that you like? Is there a trash can in the background!
Does it look like the subject was having fun?
Wants:
This is where what you’re really looking for in senior pics should be focused. There are plenty of natural light photographers out there. They do absolutely brilliant work. But, what if you’re really looking for a little more edge or drama? Perhaps the lens flares and dreamy look isn’t what you’re wanting. Even if this is what your friends did, and like doesn’t mean you have to.
I think the edge and drama photos work very well for athletes. That’s my personal style. It’s what i gravitate to. I can do light airy lens flare photos. But, I much prefer a little bit of dark and mood. It adds strength and determination in the pics.
Which style looks the best? Neither. It depends on you. What do you like? What do you want to show your friends and family? What about the family that will come in the future?
It’s all up to you.
Locations
If you’re looking for place to photograph your senior pics in the Kalamazoo, MI area. I have a list of a few places where I’ve worked.
First: Your family home may offer up some very nice spots that you’re very fond of already. Don’t rule it out because it’s home. It may very well be a spot and a picture you’re very fond of in the future.
Second: Your school if you’re an athlete!
Or if you are able to get access to the library:
There’s Western Michigan’s Campus:
Third Parks: There are plenty of parks in the Kalamazoo area.
Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo:
Milham park is a favorite of many:
Asylum Lake preserve:
It’s an engagement photo but shows what you can expect from the location:
The other parks that are in the area are:
Springvalley
Woods Lake Park
Celery Flats
If you get on Instagram and do a quick location search for one of the above parks you will find other ideas of what the parks have to offer.
These are only a few of the parks in the area. There are plenty more. Just giving you some options. When I have photos from these areas I’ll be sure to add them to this blog!
Downtown Kalamazoo:
This is my favorite. Just parking in a different area, and walking in a different direction can lead to very different photos from the last people that were downtown.
There’s lights, there heights (Kalamazoo heights, that is!) there’s roads, cars, alleys, walls, intersections, and windows.
It’s safe to say that Downtown Kalamazoo offers plenty of different opportunities for your photos.
There’s always in studio sessions as well.
You may not live in the Kalamazoo area, but don’t worry there are plenty of places around. We’ll get you the photos you’re looking for!
South Haven:
This is a favorite of a lot of High School Seniors. Check with your photographer, South Haven is quite a ways from Kalamazoo and the area most shoot in on a regular basis, and the distance and time usually requires extra travel fees.
Schoolcraft:
This is where I live!!
Paw Paw:
Allegan:
Three Rivers:
As you can see there are endless amounts of places for your photos to taken. Don’t hesitate to ask your photographer for some ideas, or to suggest an idea. Most will be more than willing to try new spots, or familiar ones.
My typical Senior session includes two spots, three if they’re close. This justs makes sure that the time for both sides is respected. And, the session can move along at a good pace.
Hiring your photographer does not need to be overwhelming even if it is a big decision. Take your time. Find one you like, and there’s a very good chance you’ll look forward to working with them again in the future.
A few steps we can take:
- Figure out your budget, and then be prepared to spend a little more than your initial expectations if you’re able.
- Google search “Senior Photographers near me”
- Get a list of no less than 5 photographers that you really like, and want to consider hiring.
- Make a list of what you’re wanting from your session.
- Get a list of locations you would like to consider.
- Start reaching out to your photographer of choice.
If you’re wanting to hire me as your photographer I want to thank you for considering me! You can text me at 269-372-0435, or email me at david@wethingtonphoto.com
Congratulations, you just hired a great photographer. You’re going to love your photos!
Extra research you can look into is for a make up artist, or hair stylist.
See if you’re able to secure access to the school. If you’re a football player, baseball player and so on. Most coaches and schools are more than happy to get access for the seniors.
Be sure to also get your your jersey if you don’t already have it.
