Senior Portrait Pricing and Info

Portland Senior Photos and Portraits

A lot of people look back on their senior photos and cringe. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Because face it, there are a LOT of really bad senior photos out there. Fake backdrops, cheesy posing, bad editing, obvious retouching (or none at all). And cookie-cutter images that look the same as everyone else’s. Gross. How do some senior photos manage to look like they were taken 20 years ago? They can be SO much more than that. YOU are worth so much more than that.

If you feel this way, and you want something a little better, (or maybe just something a little different), you’ve come to the right place.

Maybe you identify as male and you are wondering why half the websites you see only show femme-leaning senior photos.

Maybe you are a parent and you know your teen isn’t going to fit into the cheesy wheat field stereotype you see everywhere.

Either way, I would love to help take your photos in a way that truly does justice to your personality and unique self.

Your senior photos don’t have to be an over-the-top fussy senior experience. They can just be easy, chill, natural, and fun. Laid-back, but true to who you are as a person. Deeply personalized without feeling like too much of a production.

My portraits feel vibrant, raw, real, bold, honest, moody, genuine and artistic.

I shy away from conventional senior sterotypes and focus on everyone as an individual. I’ll work with you to bring out your unique laugh and your quiet confidence. We’ll chat on the phone before the photoshoot, brainstorm ideas together, and create imagery that resonates with you, flatters you, and compliments your spirit.

Posing and Direction

Do you feel awkward anytime a camera gets pointed at you? If the answer is yes, that’s totally normal. I’ve got you. Literally everyone feels that way at first, even me! So don’t worry. I give SO MUCH direction when I’m shooting that you’ll never have to ask “what do I do with my hands?!” or feel nervous. I’ll give you cues and directions that will get you moving and laughing and feeling exactly like yourself!

PLUS, I’ll teach you the best ways to position your body so it looks the most flattering in front of the camera!

My Process

Interested in working with me? That’s awesome! Here’s a little insight into how my process works.

1) Email me! From there we can set up a phone call to get to know each other and chat about details! I want to hear all about you, your story, so I can take the best possible photos of you!

2) Choose one of my collections and I’ll send you an electronic contract and invoice reserve the date! Then you’ll be officially booked!

3) I’ll send you resources to help you figure out outfits and a perfect location.

4) On the day of the shoot, we’ll meet up at the first location and start shooting right away so you can warm up in the first 10 minutes or so. Everyone takes a little time to feel comfortable in front of a camera, so don’t worry if you are a little nervous at first! We’ll wander around the location to get a lot of variety in backgrounds and poses, and you’ll be free to change your outfit anytime you want. A lot of places don’t have public restrooms, so you might have to bring a sheet to hide behind, or change in your car. I also ask any friends or relatives who might come along to turn around and not watch you while you are being photographed, just because that helps you feel more comfortable. No one wants an audience!

5) After the shoot, I’ll upload the photos and get rid of anything awkward, out of focus, or a duplicate, and then I will put the rest in a private online gallery and send them to you as proofs. They will be straight out of my camera at this stage, but you will able to look through them all and choose your favorites for me to edit and retouch. Each of my collections has a specific number of final images, so depending on which one you get you’ll be able to choose 20-40 images. You can also order extras for $15 each.

6) Once you finish selecting your favorites and email me, it will take up to 4 weeks for me to edit them and get them back to you!

7) I’ll edit and retouch the photos and deliver them in a second online gallery where you can download them directly or order any prints you might want!

Portland Senior Photographer Katy Weaver_1009

Portrait Pricing

My photoshoots are very personalized, so I usually prefer to email you a pricing guide and chat with you on the phone before we start digging into the details! But I also understand that price is a HUGE factor in choosing a photographer, so my starting rates are listed below!

My senior photos, headshots, branding portraits, dating pictures, college grad, and family portrait collections all start at $900

If you want to do a 20-30 minute, mini portrait session, those start at $450 and I offer them on specific dates, or at Mt Tabor Park year-round. You can sign up to get notified when I release new dates and time slots on my mini session email list here.

Email me and we can go over all the details together!

Photo Locations in Portland

THE BEST PORTLAND SENIOR PHOTO LOCATIONS

We all have places in our lives that make us feel relaxed and at peace, or places that hold special memories and meaning. Choose a place for your photos that feels like YOU. I’m always happy to suggest ideas based off what you have in mind!

I also LOVE the look of a clean studio environment! There are several studio options available in Portland if you prefer an indoor location for your pictures.

In Portland: Hoyt Arboretum, Forest Park, Cathedral Park, George Rogers Park, The Pearl District, various bridges in downtown, the Eastbank Esplanade, Old Town, Alberta Arts District, Sellwood Riverfront Park, Tryon Creek State Park, Lewis and Clark State Park, Laurelhurst Park, The rose garden in Washington Park, Jenkins Estate, Cooper Mountain, Peninsula Park.

Outside of Portland: Sauvie Island, Timberline on Mt. Hood, White River Recreation Area on Mt. Hood, Trillium Lake, Women’s Forum in the Gorge, Latourell Falls, Government Cove in the Gorge, Viento State Park, Dalton Point in the gorge, Steep Creek Falls, Beacon Rock, St Cloud Day Use Area, Rowena Crest, Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park, Hug Point, Cape Kiwanda, Smith Rock State Park, Painted Hills, Mt. Saint Helens, Silver Falls State Park, Tamanawas Falls

What to wear for senior photos and portraits

The most important thing is that you wear your favorite clothes that make you feel the most confident and comfortable! Make sure that everything fits you really well, and if you feel self conscious about a certain part of your body, don’t wear clothes that show it off! I typically prefer photographing people in neutrals and solids because I want the focus on you, not on your clothes. Want more ideas? Check out the link to my in-depth outfit guide below!

WHAT TO WEAR FOR SENIOR PHOTOS AND PORTRAITS

Weather and Light

Although locations and backgrounds are important, I’d still say that the number one thing that shapes the way a photo looks is the lighting.

I almost always use natural light (not flash) because it tells the story more accurately and give my photos a beautiful authentic look. However, not all natural light is created equal.

Bright sunlight in the middle of the day can be harsh but edgy. Open shade is flattering and soft, while dappled shade with sunlight can be difficult and contrasty. Soft backlighting in the evening looks romantic and happy with sun flares. Cloudy weather makes for photos with a beautiful even cast and more mood. It’s important to know that all these types of lighting create a different look, and for the most part, that look is up to the weather.

I love to take portraits year-round in any type of weather, BUT I always prefer to do the sessions around sunrise or sunset so we can get the most flattering light of the day!

While I can’t guarantee a specific type of weather, you can book a photoshoot around a particular time of year when you are most likely to get the look you want! If you love my foggy, moody, Pacific-Northwest imagery, those photos are most likely taken between October and April. If you want brilliant sunshine, harsh shadows, or soft backlighting, you may want to plan a session in peak summer.