Your senior year is an exciting time and a milestone that you definitely want to capture.

Getting the best photos starts with finding the right photographer though and there are four main things to consider before you start your search.

1. Your Photographer’s Personality

In order for your photos to look natural and relaxed, you need to feel comfortable with the person behind the camera. Before you schedule your senior portraits, it’s important to meet with your photographer to decide if they’re a good fit. Everyone feels comfortable with different types of people, so decide what type of personality you would feel the most relaxed around so that you know what to look out for during your meeting. In fact, you should already be able to get a good idea of what a photographer is like based on your telephone conversation with me. Making a decision about a photographer over email is not the best approach.

2. Your Photographer’s Style

Senior portraits no longer follow the traditional formula, so before you start your search, get an idea of the photography style that you’re looking for – Pinterest is a good place to start. You’ll easily be able to narrow down your choices by going through each photographer’s portfolio, ensuring you’re only meeting with photographers who meet your requirements. From there, get on the phone with each photographer to decide who you would prefer to meet with.

3. Your Budget

It’s important to have an idea of your budget before you start your search. Most photographers will already have their rates on their website. If not, you can ask about pricing when you speak to them over the phone. The price of your senior portrait session will vary depending on what you’re looking for and how experienced your photographer is.

4. Availability

Keep in mind that photographers generally have very busy schedules so it’s important not to leave your search to the last minute. It’s recommended that you plan at least 6 weeks in advance if you want to get the date you want for your photo session. If you’re struggling to secure a date, find out whether changing the location or the date to a weekday will make it easier for your photographer to fit you in.

Once you have a date secured, you can start focusing on the finer details such as the location, your outfit as well as your hair and makeup. Speak to your photographer for recommendations if you need them.