When planning your senior photos, one of the biggest questions parents and seniors ask is, “How much time do we actually need?”
The answer is…it depends.
Every senior is different. Some can’t wait to get in front of the camera, while others are only showing up because Mom said so. (If that’s you…don’t worry. I’ve seen it all.)
That’s exactly why I offer different senior portrait experiences. Some seniors only need the essentials, while others want multiple outfits, different locations, and the full experience.
So let’s walk through the different session lengths and help you decide which one is the best fit for your senior portraits.
Across my website, you’ll see these called my Essential Sessions. The message is really in the name. These sessions are designed to capture the essentials.
They’re perfect for seniors who simply need a few great portraits for graduation announcements, yearbook deadlines, or updated photos.
Honestly, these are also a popular choice for some of the guys who aren’t exactly counting down the days until their senior photos. We can get in, have some fun, capture what you need, and be done before it starts feeling like a chore.
These shorter sessions don’t allow time for outfit changes or different location looks, but they’re a great option when you simply want beautiful senior portraits without the full experience.
This is where things start to get really fun.
These sessions are usually photographed at one Phoenix-area location, but they give us enough time for a couple of outfit changes, a lot more variety, and the freedom to slow down a little.
More importantly…
They give us time.
Time for you to stop thinking about the camera.
Time for us to laugh.
Time for your personality to actually come out.
I’ve lost count of how many seniors have started their session by saying, “I’m so awkward in front of the camera.”
About twenty minutes later?
They’re laughing, dancing, joking with me, and completely forgetting the camera is even there.
That’s the magic of giving ourselves a little extra time.
If you want the full experience, this is my favorite.
The Senior VIP Tour gives us two full hours together, which means we can visit multiple nearby locations, change outfits several times, and create an incredible variety of images that all feel completely different.
I usually recommend bringing at least three outfits, but if fashion is your thing, we can absolutely fit in more. Two hours gives us the freedom to create a gallery that truly reflects your personality instead of feeling rushed.
This is where we really get creative.
Maybe we’re dancing in the middle of an empty road.
Maybe I’m pretending there’s a “hottie” standing behind me just to get a genuine laugh.
Maybe we spot incredible light around the next corner and decide to explore it.
The best moments are almost never planned.
By this point, all the nerves are gone. Confidence starts showing up, personalities shine, and that’s usually when we create everyone’s favorite images.
If you’re looking for the ultimate senior portrait experience with multiple locations, outfit changes, and plenty of room for creativity, this is it.
Choose the 20-minute session if you simply need the essentials.
Choose the 60-minute session if you’d like outfit changes, more variety, and enough time to relax and let your personality shine.
Choose the 2-hour Senior VIP Tour if you want multiple locations, several outfit changes, and a gallery that truly tells your story.
There isn’t a wrong choice.
It simply comes down to what you’re hoping to walk away with.
