hat does it cost?  Now that's a good question.  But the answer isn't so easy. 

Most portrait photographers, like me, are totally independent.  There is no photographers group that helps set pricing or define product offerings. 

I am a member of the Professional Photographers of America but they help ensure proper and ethical business practices and provide professional continuing education.  So, from your perspective, as a consumer, using a PPA member is certainly an advantage.

To help understand what the overall cost of a portrait session will be its helpful to understand how many photographers price their services.  For high school senior portraits, few provide a flat rate service.  You'll generally find that you're are paying for a Session and then ordering prints from that session.

Session Fees

Almost every senior portrait photographer will charge a Session Fee.  In most brochures or promotional material it is the Session Fee that is advertised.  The headline might scream "$45 Senior Portraits", but that is only the session fee and you'll find that this fee is only a small portion of the overall cost. 

My Session Fee is a flat $60.  The fee is to guarantee your session time and does not reflect any of the artistic effort that goes into the images that are being created.  Sessions can be rescheduled for no additional cost but session fees are lost for no-shows and cancellations within 24 hours.

Portrait Order

The largest portion of the overall cost of your Senior Portraits is the actual order itself.  Most photographers will provide Packages that can be ordered and/or individual prints. 

Packages

The most cost effective way to buy prints is in the form of packages.  Most photographers will put together packages that provide a variety of sizes from wallet size prints to completely mounted and framed wall art.

Individual Prints

If the package doesn't cover everything that you may want then it's a good idea to buy individual prints.  They may tend to be more expensive than a package but you can select exactly what you want.

Poses

Most photographers will limit orders to only a select number of poses - and for good reason.  Capturing the image is only the first step in the process.  Retouching the image is also very important but it takes time and skill so most orders are limited to a select number of poses. 

Retouching

Not every photographer provides retouching services.  Retouching is an art and the more skillful the artist the better the final image. 

Those that do provide retouching often charge handsomely for these services.  You may find price sheets that itemize "retouching acne", "fixing fly-away hair" etc.  These charges add up.

I do not charge anything for basic retouching.  What's basic?  Things like fixing acne, stray hairs, color balance and small distracting elements.  Major edits are not included. 

I want to ensure that you look the best you can.   

So What does It Cost?

I do charge a fixed price session fee of $60.  You can purchase packages of prints or individual portraits.  Most folks will find they spend about $400 to $600.  I do have a $250 minimum order. 

You'll find that my prices are very competitive with any other professional photographer.  I work out of my home so I don't have the overhead of a studio and staff to support. 

Comparing Photographers

Comparing photographers on cost alone is like comparing apples and lima beans - in the dark.  The most important factor when comparing photographers is their style.  We are artists and as such we have a recognizable style.  You should look at our work and see if it matches the style you want in a portrait. 

What Are You Buying?

One important thing to remember when buying any photography is that all images created are protected by federal copyright laws and every professional photographer I know retains the exclusive right to reproduce the photographs.  This includes the right to control the making of copies. 

It is illegal to copy, scan or reproduce photographs elsewhere without the photographers permission. 

With my senior sessions I do grant you the right to use any of the photographs for "promotional" use such as for the year book, newspaper articles etc.  Where appropriate, such as newspapers, I do request a credit line.  You'll also receive electronic copies of the images sized for use in emails, cell phones etc.

I do not give permission to make additional copies of the prints.