The EXPERIENCE

“My job as your photographer is to give you the best senior experience possible.”

You know how fashion boutiques offer specialty products and personalized customer service? My photography studio embraces those same principles.

I have chosen to specialize in specific genres of photography instead of trying to be all things to all people, and pride myself on offering a higher level of personalized service than you would typically expect. I love all types of portrait photography, but there is just something special about working with high school seniors… A portrait session with me typically means a very personalized session in a place that is important to you. I’ll take the time necessary to get images that are authentic and represent who you really are, and I will do my absolute best to give you a fabulous experience with images you’ll treasure for a lifetime!

Who are you?
What are you passionate about?
What would you want to see on a highlight reel of your high school experience?

The answers to these and other questions will help me make your senior photo experience a true reflection of you. I can certainly take some great photos of you that will look incredible hanging on your parents’ wall, but it’s also important to capture you doing “YOU”, whether you’re sipping coffee outside your favorite coffee shop, perfecting your gymnastics routine, practicing free throws, or playing piano. Maybe you’re tinkering on your ride in the garage, tossing a football with friends, fishing off the dock at your favorite lake… or just hanging out at home with a good book. Knowing what’s important to you is important to me, and can make all the difference.

We’ll collaborate to create a memorable and meaningful senior photo experience for you. There's just something about this time in your life that is so exciting, captivating, and fun to be a part of...where will you go, what will you do? Are you confident? Do you see your own potential? Nothing is more satisfying to me than helping you see yourself as others do, instead of through the out of focus, tilted lens we have a tendency to view ourselves through. Your senior photo experience should be awesome, and a time you remember fondly every time you see the photos. I will take the time to ensure that the images from your portrait session are a genuine and authentic representation of who you are, and my hope is that you will find value in this approach and choose to plan your portrait session experience with me.

We’ll spend time together before, during, and after your session, to make sure we are all on the same page with regard to the details of your session, and we’ll talk about how you intend to enjoy and display your photos. Talking about these things before we ever get to the session will ensure that you end up with the best images to display in your home, as well as a fun experience you will remember long after it’s over.

The SENIOR SESSION Process

…from Start to Finish

So you might be wondering how this all works - what do you have to do and when do you have to do it… First off, you really don’t need to worry about a thing. I’ve done this a couple of times before, and I’ll guide you every step of the way. 😉 I am here to help and make this a fun and easy experience that will help you kick off your senior year in the best way possible! But information is always good, so I’ve outlined the process below to walk you through your senior session experience from start to finish.

Find the Session Option That is the Right Fit for You

When you contact me about scheduling your session, we’ll talk about the session type that best meets your needs, and most likely decide which one you’ll do at that point. Every session experience varies in the number of outfits, locations, and edited images to choose from. We can discuss any questions you might have at the consultation if you haven’t already decided by then. Check out the Senior Session Options below.

Schedule your Senior Session
Book your session early to ensure you get the date that fits into your busy schedule. If you’re an athlete, you’ll want to complete your session before the school year starts…you’ll thank me later. 😉 Payment for your session is due according to the following schedule – one third at the time of booking, one third on the session date, and final one third at the reveal and ordering session. Contact me online or via phone to book your session, along with two additional appointment dates related to your session – the Pre-Session Consultation and the Image Viewing and Ordering Appointment.

The Paperwork
Yes, there’s always paperwork, isn’t there? Once you have scheduled your session, I will send you a quick questionnaire (via email) to learn a little more about you. I will also send a Session Agreement that covers all the legal beagle stuff, like what happens if you trip over a light stand, stuff like that…and just in case you’re wondering, I’m not responsible if you’re super clumsy. 😊

The Pre-Session and Wardrobe Consultation
I always meet you in person before your session! We’ll meet at my studio to get to know each other a little better, and make sure we are a good fit for each other. I want to make sure we connect one on one, because that’s the only way we’re going to get great images and have the best experience possible. If we don’t connect, I’ll refund your money so you can find a photographer you do connect with. Don’t worry, it’s never happened, but I want you to know that I am way more interested in giving you the best experience and images possible than taking your money for a session that won’t be the best it can be! This is also where we’ll work out the finer details of your session experience – we’ll talk about your vision and location ideas and brainstorm about how to make your session experience a modern and authentic representation of you.

I’ll also ask you to bring a suitcase full of your favorite outfits, including the ones you’re planning to wear for your session.

Preparing for Your Shoot
Shortly after your Consultation, you will receive a Session Prep Guide via email with tips on what to wear, hair and makeup tips, and more! You will also receive email reminders prior to your session date to make sure you don’t forget.

At the Shoot: Have a Blast!
Your senior portrait session experience is all about you and what makes you unique, so this is the day you’re going to rock it out, and I’m going to capture “You doing YOU”. Don’t stress out at all - we’re going to have a great time!

Reveal and Ordering Session
Within three to four weeks of your session, we will meet for your Viewing and Ordering Appointment. You and your parents will come to my studio to review your images and place your order. You’ll want to make sure all decision makers are at this appointment, as this is when you’ll be placing your photo order.

Deliver Order

Once your order arrives, I’ll get in touch and we’ll coordinate a time for delivery.

Pretty easy, huh?

SENIOR SESSIONS

The DESTINATION

$$$$

This once in a lifetime custom session allows you to document your senior year with a special destination photo shoot in the location of your choice.

This session may include a limited local session for yearbook submission purposes.

The DESTINATION will be completely customized for you, and include a custom heirloom album of memories from your trip.

The UNDISCOVERED

$$$

This session is for the senior who is looking for a fun and non-traditional senior photo experience.

The UNDISCOVERED is two parts model session and one part senior session. We’ll work together to plan and style your session to communicate YOUR story in a way that is authentic to you. Your session will include lifestyle images that you’ll want to share on Instagram, as well as the traditional photos your mom wants to hang on the wall.

The UNDISCOVERED includes:

- Social Media copies of all ordered images

- In Person Pre-session consultation

- Wardrobe Styling consultation

- Up to 3 hours

- Multiple locations *

- Unlimited outfits

- Yearbook photo submission

- In person Reveal & Ordering appointment

- Product Credit towards your order

* IRS mileage rate applies more than 20 miles outside Brainerd/Baxter

The CLASSIC

This session is for the no-nonsense senior who wants to capture some great images in a favorite location.

The CLASSIC includes:

- In person pre-session consultation

- Up to 1 hour

- One location within Brainerd/Baxter

- 2 outfits

- Yearbook photo submission

- In person Reveal & Ordering appointment

- Product Credit towards your order

Session payments are due according to the following schedule: 1/3 due at the time of booking, 1/3 due on session date, and remaining 1/3 plus tax due at image reveal.

CONFIDENT | AUTHENTIC | INSPIRED

Portrait photography should be a fun experience that you revisit every time you see the images.

I love spending time with my clients. Catching great moments and capturing photos that showcase their authentic personalities is what I LOVE most about being a photographer! There is no greater compliment for me than knowing that you had as much fun as I did during the session, and are pleased with the results.

Kind notes, text messages, and emails from clients...here are a few excerpts...

“I absolutely love all of them!!!This is going to be so hard to choose. Thank you so much!”

“I love the photos. I am giddy with excitement. Thank you! Thank you!”

“Love love love!!!”

“Ok. Serious! How are we going to pick!! I seriously love them all!! You are amazing!!”

“Thank you for a great photo shoot! …and for being such an adventurer. I can’t smile big enough- I love these!!!”

“Oh my gosh, Deb! These are so great! Wow!! Love them!”