Local Voice

Melissa Nansen has been working with high school seniors since 2012. Specializing in high senior portraits and creative portraiture. She has been published in numerous magazines and is a member of the Professional Photographers of America, most recently ranked in the Top 100 in the Pro Prints Second Annual Invitational. Currently, her favorite place to shoot is local venues like coffee shops.

Senior photos are a big deal! This is probably the last major photoshoot your child will have before their wedding day. We asked Melissa Nansen, a local photographer, for some questions to ask potential photographers as well as tips for seniors themselves.

1-  What is their pricing structure?

Every photographer will be different. Some photographers will have packages that include the session, prints and products, while others will charge a session fee (aka sitting fee) and charge separately for products, digitals, and packages. Knowing how much money you want to spend or the average investment up front will help you meet your budget needs.

2-  Who chooses location(s) and who covers the permit fees?

There are so many amazing locations in our area for photos, and many of our most serene locations have associated permits required to purchase prior to shooting (ie Castlewood Canyon, Roxborough State Park, Jeffco Open Space, literally anywhere in Boulder). A great question to ask your photographer up front is who will choose the location and if necessary, who is in charge of covering the permit fee.

3-  What about the yearbook photo?

This is a big one! With each high school having different requirements for image sizing and due dates, you want to make sure this process is ironed out before booking! Who submits the yearbook photo? Who is in charge of keeping the deadline? Who is responsible for making sure it meets the appropriate submission criteria.

4-  Can I see a full session sample or two?

Part of the reason you are booking this photographer is you like the photographer’s style and creative eye. Looking at a few galleries will show that the photographer can consistently provide a product of high value that aligns with your goals. This may also give you ideas on outfit choices, locations, poses, and any special props you might want to include.

5-  Are you insured?

This one is commonly forgotten. While we hope nothing ever goes wrong during a photoshoot and we will always practice safe shooting, wildlife, weather, and accidents do happen. Insurance is designed to protect you and the photographer.

This session is all about you:

Will you want to incorporate a sport, hobby or maybe even a favorite food during your session? If sports are your thing you may need to talk with your coach about getting a uniform and/or access to the facility/field for the shoot. We have seen many great sessions that include horses, dogs, books, etc., so you want to consider what you need planned and curated prior to arriving at your session so that you can maximize your photography portfolio potential!

Editing style:

This is huge. You can’t necessarily expect a photographer to change their editing style to match your vibe. So make sure you love their look. When looking at a photographer's portfolios, you might consider lighting style, posing, or general color scheme. Some seniors prefer a more traditional style while others prefer something a little more edgy. Consider the vibe you want and whether or not the photographer’s editing style might match.

Outfits:

Wear clothing you feel amazing in. Don’t feel the need to go out and buy all new wardrobe pieces. Bend, squat, jump

around–do all the things to ensure you feel comfortable and secure in your clothing choices. Ask the parental unit to take a picture of you prior to your senior session; if you don’t love how your clothes look in a cell phone shot, our magic cameras may not be able to fix that.

Retouching:

Beliefs on retouching are as varied as editing styles. If you see words like “lifestyle” or you notice the gallery samples a more natural look, that photographer will probably take a minimalist approach to retouching; this photographer values seeing you-as-you-are, whereas other photographers may offer more retouching options.

One of the most common questions we get asked is about tan lines and sunburns: Even the best editors may not be able to remove a drastic tanline, sunburn, or that lovely orange glow from a self-applied fake tan. We commonly outsource those to people who retouch for a living at an extra charge to you, so make sure you communicate this with your photographer.

Eat and Hydrate:

NO EXCEPTIONS to this. Make sure to eat and be hydrated! Don’t skip a meal! Bring extra water to drink and be well hydrated. A photoshoot is a fun and different kind of workout, and you want to show up your most authentic and vibrant self. Seriously, just trust me on this!