How to Create An Unstoppable Photography Client Experience

Wouldn’t it be amazing if your clients were excited to book with you—not just because of the photos you take, but because they can’t wait to work with you specifically? Imagine running a business where people don’t hesitate to invest, where word-of-mouth referrals keep your calendar full, and where clients leave their sessions thinking, “Wow, that was worth every penny.”

The truth is, high-paying clients don’t just buy photos. They buy trust, confidence, and a seamless experience. And that all starts with how you make them feel.

A great photography client experience is not just a series of steps that you rinse and repeat with every single client. Rather, having a standout client experience means that you, as the photographer, become someone who is SO confident at adapting to any sort of question, circumstance, or obstacle that may arise. In a way, a client experience is less of a “series of steps” you provide and more of a “skillset” you possess.

Have you ever felt like people don't take you seriously because you're too young, kind, or warm?

Or maybe you have a hard time connecting on a personal level with your clients because you really prioritize being a professional…

The good news? You don’t have to pick between warm and authoritative. Let's talk about how you can be both!

Studies in psychology (Harvard Business Review) show that when people first meet you, they subconsciously assess two things:

Can I trust this person? (Are they warm towards me?)

Can I respect this person? (Are they authoritative?)

If you’re only warm, people like you—but might not take you seriously.

If you’re only authoritative, people respect you—but may not feel connected to you.

So how do you craft a seamless, high-end experience that keeps your calendar full? Let’s talk about two things you should be doing—and two things to avoid—to make your client journey unforgettable.

DO: Set the Tone Before They Even Book

📍 When to do this: The Pre-Booking Phase

Before a client ever reaches out, they’re forming an opinion about you. Your website, Instagram, and inquiry process should all send a clear message: that they are in the best hands!

✔️ Warmth: Use approachable, inviting language in your emails and captions. 

✔️ Authority: Have clear pricing, packages, and next steps. Confidence sells—clients should feel like they’re stepping into a well-structured, professional experience.

Here are two examples. Instead of this:

“Thank you for your inquiry [polite, but not warm — you want your lead to know that they’re special]. To move forward, please see the attached pricing sheet, and let me know if you have any questions.” [lacks authority — unsure who’s leading the conversation, open-ended next steps]

Try this:

“I’d love to celebrate you! I see you go to XYZ High School, congrats on your big win last Friday! [warmth — friendly, specific, attentive] To save time and see if this is a good fit, the next step is to set up a consultation call with me: (link).” [authority — firm, clear] 

DON’T: Make Them Feel Like One of Many

📍 When to watch out for this: The Pre-Session & Session Day

Nothing kills the photography client experience faster than feeling like just another name on your calendar. While automation is important in order to scale, if your process is too one-size-fits-all, clients won’t feel personally valued.

🚫 Avoid automating every single part of your email communications — add personal touches like their name, session location, or something fun they mentioned in conversation.

🚫 Get into conversation with your clients to learn about their vision and personality. Even knowing small details about their pets, extended family, or heritage opens up so many opportunities to customize their experience.

DO: Go Beyond What’s Expected

📍 When to do this: Post-Session & Follow-Up

People don’t remember what you do as much as how you made them feel. Surprise and delight your clients after their session, and they’ll become lifelong fans.

✔️ Warmth: Send a handwritten thank-you note or small gift to show you genuinely care.

✔️ Authority: Deliver their final images in a way that feels premium—think high-end packaging, a beautiful online gallery, early delivery, or a bonus print.

DON’T: Disappear After the Session

📍 When to avoid this: The Follow-Up Phase

If your last interaction with a client is sending their gallery and an invoice, you’re leaving money (and referrals) on the table. Post-session is where the money is made!

🚫 Don’t assume they’ll refer you—ask! A simple, “I’d love to work with your friends & family!” goes a long way.

🚫 Avoid missing out on reviews—make it easy by sending them a direct link and a short prompt.

Ultimately, the thing between you and clients that feel taken care of, trust you, and invest at a high level is a solid client experience. 

An established photography client experience gives you:

• A reputable brand as the go-to photographer in your area, known for so much more than just great photos.

• Consistent word of mouth referrals — the best kind!

• The ability to charge higher prices, as clients go out of their way to pay more for an elevated experience.
  
  

Cleaning up your client experience skills will prevent a few things, too:

• Miscommunication & confusion are much less common when clients know exactly what to expect and have no “last-minute” surprises or misunderstandings.

• Burnout: Once you master premium pricing AND client experience — you’ll unlock the power of CHOICE. You’ll get to  choose your volume level based on the season of life you’re in. Want to book more and earn more? Go for it! Ready to take fewer clients and spend more time with your family? Not a problem. With premium pricing, your bank account is looking good either way!

• Turning leads into luxury clients: Did someone say effortless marketing?! No more struggling to find new leads, since every client you work with becomes a passionate ambassador for your business (and often becomes a repeat client themselves!).

When your client experience is dialed in, everything in your business feels smoother, more profitable, and more enjoyable.

After mastering my own client experience, I unlocked a business model that attracts leads effortlessly, converts at a 90% rate, and generates four-figure sales per client.I was able to more confidently share my premium prices, enjoy a steady flow of referrals from happy clients, and build a reputation that does the selling for me. 

If you’ve ever struggled with how to show up via email to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table with your clients, I can help! 4-figure portrait photography bookings aren’t out of reach when you have the right tools. Check out my freebie to learn the exact 3 email phases I go through with each of my 4-figure clients.

Senior Photographer vs Wedding Photographer: Which Niche Has More Earning Potential?

I’m just going to come right out and say it: being a booked out wedding photographer is NOT the only way to make “real money” as a photographer. Some may consider this a hot take, and some may think that I am biased as a senior photographer myself, but I’m living proof that a multi-six-figure portrait photography business is completely possible. 

Thinking wedding photography is the way to get those big bookings makes sense, as weddings are definitely an industry where it’s typical to charge 4-figures for your services. But what I want photographers to know is that you can also make 4-figures per client as a portrait photographer without working weekends, editing thousands of images, or spending hours traveling away from home.

Have you been sticking with bookings you don’t enjoy for longer than you’d like to admit?

I get it! If we’re being honest, money is a big motivator for any photographer. Most of us don't go into business full-time to break even, right? 

I know that you’re motivated to provide for your loved ones, invest your money to create long-term wealth, and enjoy the financial freedom you didn’t get to experience growing up. So, you keep saying yes to a certain type of booking that consistently comes your way, because it seems foolish to turn money away. Because, by turning that booking opportunity away, in your mind it seems like you're wasting the earning potential.

But let's flip that on its head for a second. What if, by spending time doing the bookings you don't enjoy, don't want to post about, and don't get excited about — the ones that leave you feeling drained, un-inspired, frustrated — you're actually preventing your business from growing to its full potential?

Without thinking about money for a moment, instead think of how that impacts your photography business from a mental and emotional point of view: when you dread your next booking, you're far less likely to be motivated to create, and worse yet — you might start to believe the lie of “photography just isn't for me after all.”

Money is just money, right? Any booking is just as good as the next one, right?

Not necessarily.

In the beginning of your photography journey, sure, it makes sense to try out all types of bookings and niches so that you can see what you enjoy, what you feel naturally good at, and what fits into your network and lifestyle. HOWEVER: once you start to get more inquiries, more referrals, and feel more confident in your work as a photographer, the best way to SCALE is to SIMPLIFY.

Just like nobody thought it was humanly possible for man to run a 4-minute mile until someone actually came forward and did it, we often don't know what's possible until it's been done before. And I'm here to tell you — simplifying your life and business by becoming an expert in one or two niches is the best way to run a successful photo business.

Before I was a full-time senior photographer, I was just like you.

I was gladly accepting wedding bookings early in my career (I couldn't believe I could make 4-figures from one booking!) but quickly realized, from both a creative and professional POV, that weddings didn't seem like a fit. For one thing, they were usually a bit stressful in general given the multiple 'moving parts' of a wedding day, required a lot more gear, and of course, meant I had to be working most weekends.

I remember thinking to myself, “wait… if I get really good at this, then most of my weekends are going to be working. When did that happen?!” As a business owner, we always have to make decisions based on what we value. And for me, I knew I wanted to spend weekends with my friends and family — the people I love. 

Then, there was the editing. Thousands of images! Even though I had brought in a 4-figure booking, the time spent preparing for, attending, and then editing the wedding meant that my overall hourly rate was a lot lower than I typically charge for a portrait session.

In addition to weddings, I was also booking birthday parties, corporate events, surprise proposals, you name it — and here's the thing: every time I went to prepare for a new session, it was like I had to put away the skill set from the one prior and dust off a brand new set of skills for this next one. It was inefficient from a time standpoint, and uninspiring creatively.

That's where seniors came in. After leaving my full-time corporate job as a data analyst, I decided to do photography part-time and become a cheerleading coach part-time (and I was also doing digital marketing consulting on the side, it was truly my #hustleera). But it was being around teens every day that made the transition into being a senior photographer so, so natural. 

It got to the point where, after launching my first senior rep team in 2018, my afternoons became so booked with sessions that they started to conflict with cheer practice! That was the jumping off point, and slowly but surely, I started to say no to bookings for brands, families, parties, proposals, etc. 

Transitioning to the senior photographer niche wasn’t easy at first.

This kind of shift in your photography business is not an overnight transition!

First, I had to take down all the pages on my website that I had spent time setting up to accept bookings for things like branding, proposals, weddings, parties and events, etc. Then, any time I got a DM I had to exercise the “muscle” of saying no to a perfectly good booking opportunity simply because I knew my time is better spent nurturing ONE niche than spreading my services across multiple.

So for example, in any given month, rather than having 2 senior sessions, 2 proposals, 1 wedding, 1 birthday party, and 1 headshot session for a company (which requires different workflows, equipment, email sequences, etc.) — I was committed to replacing all of that with 8-10 senior sessions.

And in doing so, I became crazy-familiar with every second of the senior client journey.

Opening up that time in your business is what allows you to become known as the go-to, expert-level [insert your favorite niche here] photographer in your area. People who find you have no question or confusion around who it is that you serve, and that makes you all the more magnetizing to work with! 

Worried about how to grow a thriving photography business as a full-time senior photographer?

Sometimes photographers think that if they're new to the area, or are a certain age, that they just don't have the tools to have a successful senior rep program. Not true. Senior model teams, also known as ambassador programs, are a proven method to build the demand for your senior photography business, year after year. They don't have to be expensive, humongous, or time-consuming. The key to a successful senior rep team is building them right into your client base, and adding in a 'tilt' that you look forward to every year! Learn more about how to create a stand out senior rep program here.

Whatever you decide to focus on, go ALL in.

If you're a photographer who wants to scale to six-figures and beyond without weddings, a photo studio, or a jam-packed schedule, then I have good news: you CAN earn 4-figure portrait photography bookings on repeat (multiple times per week) WITHOUT putting in all the hours or weekends that other niches require. This process is even easier when you have all the right tools. Check out my freebie to learn the exact 3 email phases I go through with each of my 4-figure clients.

How To Make More Money As A Photographer

Let me guess — you wish you were making more money as a photographer. Right?

Listen, what I know about you is this: You are so talented at what you do. You’re passionate about capturing beautiful moments and creating images that make your clients stop with their jaws dropped and say, “Wait whaaaat?! I can’t believe that’s me!”

You know you just nailed that session. You’re proud of the images, and you can already see how thrilled your client is going to be when they receive them.

You send over the gallery, and you’re excited and hopeful. You think, “They’re definitely going to upgrade. They’re going to want all these images—how could they not?!”

But then… crickets.

Maybe a day goes by. Maybe two. You don’t get the upgrade notification, and suddenly, doubt creeps in. You start second-guessing yourself:

“Was my pricing too high?”

“Should I have given them more time to decide?”

“Maybe I should just email them again and remind them…”

Here’s the truth that might sting a little: It’s not that your pricing is wrong, and it’s not that your clients need more time. Actually, it’s the opposite.

A common myth I hear is that the best way to make more money as a photographer is by offering gallery upgrades.

When you deliver an online gallery and leave the decision entirely in the client’s hands, it's passive. You’re hoping they’ll see the value on their own, and crossing your fingers that they’ll take the time to review, discuss, & upgrade on their own.

But, believe it or not, HOPE is not the strategy that will get you (or your clients, frankly) the best possible outcome.

Your clients are busy. They do love their photos, but they don’t always have the time or energy to scroll through the gallery, weigh their options, and make decisions. And the longer you give them to decide, the easier it becomes for them to get swept back into the current of everyday life, forgetting about it entirely.

Here’s the thing: It’s not about giving them more time—it’s about giving them LESS time and MORE guidance.

What to do instead? Position yourself as the expert.

Become the trusted guide that walks them through their options every step of the way. You're not "putting the ball in their court" and expecting them to take action. Rather, you're right alongside them from inquiry to sale.

Another way to close the deal? Make upgrades irresistible.

For 4-figure sales and above, you need to be offering multiple types of upgrades that have a lot less to do with images, and a lot more to do with each client's unique story and needs.

The third route to a no-brainer? Master your messaging.

With love, this hands-off gallery approach is not the way to scale your business to six figures and beyond without burning out.

The good news, though, is that there’s a much, much better way.

In fact, there’s a way to work with your clients so that they’re excited to pay you three times what they paid for the session. A way to serve them at a higher level and build a business that gives you true financial freedom AND time freedom — and not just a packed calendar.

This is the shift that will change everything for you. And it starts with knowing what to say and when to say it.

I hear from my students all the time that since they don’t live in a luxury area, the clients in their market simply won’t pay higher prices. I know successful photographers who charge luxury prices who operate in small towns with corn fields in their backyard! 

These are limiting beliefs that unfortunately are far too commonly accepted in the photography industry. It's almost like a comfort blanket that helps photographers justify playing small. 

Anyone who wants to generate wealth as a photographer must have the courage to say, "You know what? No. I know what I'm capable of, I know I can do this. If anyone can build a successful, profitable photography business, it's me! I'll figure it out. I'll learn from the best. I'll surround myself with people who have done this already."

There is always a solution, always a way to make more money as a photographer, no matter where you're located. If you don't book the luxury clientele, someone else in your area will.

How To Plan A Senior Rep Photoshoot | Senior Photographer Education

As with any event, there’s a lot that goes into planning a senior rep photoshoot, How nice would it be to know exactly how to plan a senior spokesmodel group shoot without all the stress? The truth is, it’s more than possible — and today, I’m teaching you a method that will help you through every step of the process. 

In the same way you can confidently follow a recipe and know that a delicious cake is bound to come out of the oven, what you’re about to learn is a system just like that. When you follow my signature 4-D framework, you’ll have everything for your senior rep team event covered. The ingredients you’ll need are:

2+ senior reps

1 venue

1-2 outfit concepts

1 info sheet

1 healthy sprinkle of your creativity!

Instead of pouring, whisking, mixing, and baking, the main actions you’ll be taking in this system are: discovering, deciding, designing, and distributing. This is the exact recipe I’ve used to plan and execute over THIRTY senior ambassador events so far. When you follow this proven framework, you'll plan a successful group photoshoot that actually works to bring you new senior leads (and rep applicants for the following year) — which is the primary motivation of investing your time and energy into these fun group photoshoots.

Picking a theme

Discover: Head to Pinterest first and look for Pinterest trend predictions. Also research Tiktok "aesthetics" so you can get a better idea of what teens are wearing and/or "into" right now.

Decide: Choose at least one aesthetic with photos of outfits, textures, patterns, and settings. Then, decide on a fun name for the theme!

Design: A Pinterest board showcasing the theme.

Distribute: Include a link to your Pinterest board when you send out your group session materials to your team.

Picking a location

Discover: I usually spend a couple of hours researching location options, whether local or destination. For some senior rep photoshoots, I'll re-use locations I visit often with regular clients, and sometimes I'll look into rentals, venues, and spaces I've never tried before. 

Decide: You might find yourself with several great options (I know I have!) and sometimes I take a few days to pause before coming back to make the final call. I'm always looking for places with posing diversity options, props, unique backdrops or cohesion with the wardrobe aesthetics. Book your location as far in advance as possible — you’ll want to lock it down before someone else snags it!

Design: Download photos of the space and save them into a folder.

Distribute: When you’re sending out the details for your shoot, share the photos of the space so your clients know what to expect upon arrival.

Creating a schedule

Discover: First, check your schedule to confirm which of your reps are scheduled to attend this particular group shoot. (My Rep It! Students have an entire "Kitchen Sink" spreadsheet which includes one tab for easily tracking their rep team members' info throughout the year.) (We should link something here about rep it… the rep it freebie here instead of later in the budget section? Let me know your thoughts)

Decide: Decide how many outfits, how many backdrops, and whether you want to do group photos or solo shots or both (I’d recommend both).

Design: Write out an easy-to-understand schedule list with order of clients, time slots, and important notes about timing.

Distribute: Be sure to include these details in your info sheet or group shoot email that goes out to parents and seniors.

Putting together goodie bags

Discover: Brainstorm what small gifts will surprise and delight your team.

Decide: How much are you willing to spend and what items will go into it. Check your budget spreadsheet! (This is another gem that Rep It! students have access to.)

Design: How do you want to present the present? Presentation is everything! 

Distribute: I like to have the gifts set up upon arrival as a surprise, or pass them out one by one. For this shoot, we did unique nametags that doubled as "wanted posters." For example, Bailey got a card titled "WANTED: Blackjack Bailey" - it was a hit!

When it comes to preparing your reps, visuals are everything! I also suggest looping in both parent and senior, clarifying your guest policy, including parking and directions, and even adding some suggestions for other activities to do in the area. 

If you ever feel frustrated about a theme not coming out the way you hoped, or the outfits missing the mark, chances are there was a miscommunication from your end to the client's end. Doing this 4-D prep work ensures that there is no room for guessing — your team will step inside your mind and see the vision alongside you!

As far as my own preparation as the photographer, there are a few must-haves I won’t show up without: extra batteries, memory cards, water, and sometimes an outfit change for fun. 

Behind the scenes coverage is a need as well, as it’s super important for leveraging this event into content over the next several weeks post senior rep photoshoot.

The JenRenPro team shows up and shows out at these group shoots — I couldn’t do it without my videographer and assistant. A videographer will capture vertical video for social media and/or professional video for promotional videos on your rep team application website. One year I even hired someone to bring a drone and it's some of my favorite rep footage to date! My assistant helps with running the schedule, notifying the next senior when it's almost their turn, chatting with parents, etc. Having an extra person on hand is SO helpful, even if it's your spouse, sibling, or friend jumping in to help!

Budgeting your senior rep photoshoot

It can seem tricky to justify a senior rep group photoshoot if it costs more than it produces — which is why knowing how to harness this event for marketing is essential to the success of your program. 

Group photoshoot costs can range anywhere from $100-$2,000+ — it depends on factors like venue, number of students, costs for assistants, gifts, props, wardrobe, partnerships, travel, etc.

That's why it is SO important to track each and every expense in your rep team, as well as how much business it brings you. That way you can feel confident that these group photoshoots are not a trivial expense for a few likes on social media — they're a surefire investment. 

You put in a dollar and it gives you ten dollars back. That's the idea for marketing across the board!

Getting together the theme, location, schedule, budget, and everything in between doesn’t seem so hard now, does it? With the 4-D framework and these tips in your back pocket, you can plan an unforgettable senior rep photoshoot for your senior rep program!

Knowing how to increase your senior leads is one thing, but marketing your business is only one piece of the puzzle. If you're ready to learn how to scale your business to six-figures without burning out, join the Shoot Less Make More challenge.

Day In The Life Of A Senior Photographer | Photography Business BTS

As a senior photographer, there are a lot of things I love about my job. One of the things I appreciate most is the flexibility and freedom it brings into my life. No two days look the same, but the beauty is—I get to design my own path.. Join me on a breakdown of a typical day in my life as a senior photographer and see behind the scenes with a business owner!

My Hatch alarm (ocean noises, thank you very much) clock goes off before the sun. I love getting a head start on the day — there’s just something about that hour that feels like you’re ahead of the ball, and for a business owner, there’s hardly a better feeling!

I'm loving taking pilates classes in the morning, or heading to the gym for a little strength training. I call this input/output time — input in the sense that I use this time to listen to a podcast, training or course. Output in the sense that I'm getting blood moving in my body, which helps fresh ideas pop into my brain! Some mornings, just a quick walk outside is all you need to get the creative juices flowing. Once I'm home, I read 10 pages of a non-fiction book (every single day!), make a cup of coffee (Nespresso’s maple flavor is currently my fav), set my action items for the day, and get ready for calls and photoshoots.

As a business owner, every day is different. Mondays are my consultation days, where I meet with potential clients and design their sessions with me. Tuesday through Thursday are photoshoot days, most often, but since sessions are either early morning or late afternoon, the middle of the day is spent editing, designing artwork for clients, creating content, or coaching other senior photographers. Then on Friday I play the role of babysitter for my nephew Bennett, which is one of my favorite perks of making my own schedule. I'll spend a couple of hours playing with him while my sister gets to catch up on work or get some alone time, and then the three of us will go out for coffee and a walk by the beach. The dream! 

I wrap up the week by planning the next week every Friday afternoon. That's a must for me! I have an hour reserved every Friday for what I call "time block planning" (cuter name coming soon but… you get the idea) where I refer to my master to-do list, and pull out certain tasks to drip into the next week's schedule. As a business owner who relies on her calendar to keep things running smoothly, this is probably THE most important hour of the week!

Depending on what’s going on that day, I sometimes start work at 9AM and finish around 8PM since I’ll often take photos at sunset. For that reason, I always try to take extended breaks during the day, maybe for a few hours, to balance out the workday and make sure I'm taking time to connect with my friends, family, & self! 

When you really enjoy what you do, those days that seem long on a calendar absolutely fly by. As the gal in charge, I’m also able to block off days at a time, take a half day, or travel the world for a month if I feel the need! As a business owner, you get to decide when to work and when to play, without needed pre-approval from upper management. The fact that I happen to love both work and play is just the cherry on top of it all! 

When it comes to work/life balance, my husband and I are definitely in a season of building as we say. We know that every day of intentional work is laying a brick into the foundation of our future. And, to be honest, it feels really good.

So in that sense, the work/life balance does tend to lean into the work side more often, but it also feels like a part of our life too — we both work in "the people business" and get to spend our days with so many great people. Our clients keep us energized and we both work in beautiful, outdoor settings (I mean, I listen to waves crash on the sand for a living). So right now, we're actually thankful that work and life harmonize so well for us. 

My favorite ways to unwind are travel, sushi dinners with my girlfriends, reading a Kristen Hannah book, watching Survivor with my husband (we've seen every single season), spending time with my family, and beach days with my surf-obsessed parents. Even in our season of building, it’s important to have some downtime! 

On the work side, having help is such an important part of growth. I realized lately there’s a whole village in my life and business now! I have a Pinterest/blog manager, a virtual assistant, an editor, interns & in-person assistants, a print lab team, a senior rep team (grab my freebie to learn more about having your own rep team), an accountant & bookkeeper, business coaches, and a financial advisor. Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength for any business owner.

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A post shared by Jenna Lesoeur | Senior Photographer (@jenrenpro)

I've invested tens of thousands of dollars in coaching & mentorship in recent years, and the return on my investment always comes back in multiples. I spent far too many years in my business completely alone, sort of "white knuckling" this whole business thing through trial and error. Hiring experienced mentors I trusted, with proven track records, basically pushed me forward years (and, when taking compound interest into account, decades) in a matter of months.


Specifically, I've been trained in sales skills, entrepreneurship, life coaching, messaging, sales events, and, of course, photography! To be honest, I don't think I'll ever be without a coach or mentor who is several steps ahead of me. It's the best way to grow.

When it comes to growth, remember that roots grow down before they grow up. Growth downward is still growth! For the business owner working so hard and/or searching for clarity in your business, you can appreciate the fact that your roots are growing down. Same goes for an investment, risk, sacrifice or leap into a decision — roots grow in the dark, where no one can see. The longer and stronger the roots, the stronger and more durable your growth. Water it, grow down, and repeat. “Fruit“ will be your natural byproduct.

Every business owner starts somewhere — I know what it’s like to look around and realize I’m capable of more. I can pinpoint the moment I knew I could create a life where I got to make my own schedule, make a living being creative, and serve others well in the process.

If you’re looking for more flexibility in your life by building a successful senior photographer business so your days can look a little more like mine, there are ways I can help you! 

Check out my new challenge, the Shoot Less Make More Challenge — 5 days to give you a head start on mastering the art of creating predictable financial stability in your photography business.

Also make sure you’re following me on instagram @jrpuniversity for ways to improve your craft, increase your impact, and invest in your future.

3 Senior Boy Poses for Guy Senior Photos | Senior Photography Education

Preparing for your sessions doesn’t need to come with stress about posing. With the tips in this blog post (and so much more in my course Posing on Purpose – or POP for short), you’ll be ready with senior boy poses and the confidence to knock your shoots out of the park!

Senior guys present a wide variety of sentiments around getting their senior photos taken — some are excited (and really enjoy getting their photo taken, as becomes obvious as you take the first few shots together), and others cannot wait to meet up with their friends once you wrap the session. So the first 'hurdle' is determining where they land on what I refer to as the 'comfortability' scale — how comfortable do they feel in front of the camera? Once you feel confident about where they sit on that scale, choosing poses in an order that makes sense keeps them upbeat AND produces great results for their senior photo album becomes much easier.

Let’s dive into some examples of great senior boy poses:

1. Sitting down, one or both knees bent

When it doubt, have 'em sit down. Standing senior boy poses can be a bit more tricky to create natural-looking results with, and there's just something about being able to kick back up against a wall or surface that helps guy clients to relax. Kicking the knee up gives them a place to rest their arms, and what's cool is you can quickly capture two very different shots (at least) in a matter of seconds simply by switching up what we call the 'variation' in POP — for example, you can have them look to the side, and then look right into the lens. Then, have them move from one knee up to two knees up, take a few steps to the left, step in closer, and you have a totally different shot. 

2. Side profile

Without having to do much, this pose says LOADS about the subject! It showcases their unique features, their resting expression, and symbolizes them looking into their whole life ahead of them. When prompted properly, this pose can be completely powerful, and not at all cheesy.

3. In action!

One thing about guy seniors is that most of them are, if we're being honest, doing this because their mom or dad asked them to. The easiest way to have them lean into a photo session is having them "do their thing” so they forget they're at a photoshoot altogether! 

Your ultimate secret weapon when it comes to senior boy poses? A signature posing flow.

Knowing how to move through poses, from one to the next, is what prevents the guy senior from 'freezing up', getting 'awkward', or giving you that small, clenched smile that screams "are we done yet?" A signature posing flow is about preserving their energy AND getting killer candids so you can deliver the best possible results as their photographer.

You can use your posing flow from the first shot you take all the way through to the last. Although, when done correctly, you might find that by the end of your session, you'll have educated your senior client well enough to be able to move through some of the poses without having to yell from behind the camera — a dream!

Once you apply a signature posing flow, two things will happen: 1) your clients will rave about you to their friends "our photographer made it SO easy! You have to book them now before they fill up." and 2) the photos will look NATURAL and not awkward, true to the subject you were aiming to capture.

Want to know how to pose senior guys for natural results without having to pull out screenshots or a posing app? Check out my free 9 piece posing kit here and get one step closer to perfecting your signature posing flow.

Are you or is the senior in your life looking to book a guy senior photo session? Apply here!

Twin Senior Pictures 101 | Senior Photo Ideas

What’s not to love about twin senior pictures?! I get to work with not one but TWO seniors in one day? Two seniors who know each other better than anyone else? It's the most fun, fascinating, third-wheel experience there is in my opinion. Twin senior pictures sessions have similarities to solo sessions, but by nature, they’re double the fun!

More than anything, what's unique about twin senior sessions is experiencing their bond and their dynamic. I absolutely love asking mom or dad (whoever is at the session with us) how each twins' personality differs. It's so fun learning about it from the parent! I'm always curious who is taller, who is more outgoing, who is more shy… the concept of twins is just so cool in general, so to meet so many pairs of siblings who have so much in common yet are still so independent is such a cool part of my job as a senior photographer.

If you asked me what the hardest thing about shooting twin senior pictures was, it’d be an easy answer — remembering who is who!! Especially when they are identical. Fortunately, initial necklaces are really popular right now, which definitely helps me put names to faces in the first few minutes of the session. You really need to study their features at first because once they change outfits, you have to start over! You originally thought, “okay, blue dress is this person, red shirt is this person" but that goes out the window when they change clothes. That's why it's important to know them by their features rather early on in the session.

PHOTOGRAPHER TIP:

It's so important to know a client by name, because you'll be using it throughout the session and it helps the client to feel special, seen, known, & relaxed. Did you know the brain reacts in a specific way when someone hears their own name versus hearing the names of others? So cool!

Speaking of twin senior pictures outfits, there are a few ways you can approach selecting outfits for a duo. In my twin sessions, I typically see a coordinating outfit, such as matching white dresses, one independent outfit so they can each shine on their own/express their own independent style or college choice, and then one more outfit that doesn't "match" as in being the same color or type of clothing, but rather their outfits  "go together." Examples of this are complementary colors, or a girl senior wearing a long dress while her twin brother wears a more formal look.

Posing is one aspect of twin senior pictures that needs to be handled slightly differently than solo senior sessions. There's a specific flow I'll follow when it comes to posing twins, and it's one that ensures we get enough solo time for each senior while still making sure we pause for sibling shots, too. That's often a misconception about twin sessions — parents either think they'll need to book two separate photoshoots, or that there won't be enough time to do both solo and sibling images. That's why I follow my PB&J flow that I teach to photography students in my Posing on Purpose course! 

Here are 4 twin senior pictures pose ideas to get you started:

Pose 1: Back to back or side to side

This is a fun way to see each twin and their features side by side.

Pose 2: Cap toss - of course!

Whether the seniors are holding their cap out in front of the camera, tossing the cap in the air, or walking away while holding the cap, they’re all classics in the world of senior photos!

Pose 3: Walking

Get them moving! Walking away or walking toward the camera, holding hands for twin girls, arm-in-arm for guy/girl twins, and a little space in between for twin brothers.

Pose 4: Piggy back

Not only is this a cute pose, but capturing one twin running and jumping onto their sibling’s back makes for an extra fun series, as well!

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Even though we're working with twins, it's definitely important to make each individual feel seen and celebrated for their uniqueness as well. If one twin has a unique sense of fashion compared to the other, we'll make sure to give them a solo outfit moment to highlight it!

The most important thing about making sure we get it just right for twin seniors is having a video consultation call where I can get to know each senior virtually. That way, I can note who is passionate about what, who wants to avoid this, highlight that, etc. Pre-session calls are extremely important to the success of the session, which is why we do them with every client — not just twins!

If you're on the fence about getting twin senior pictures taken, remember that this may very well be one of the final seasons of your kiddos under the same roof. While they may or may not be best friends at this stage in their life, it will certainly be a memory they will share for decades to come. Just think of how often they'll pull out their senior photo album to show it to their kids and kids' kids in the future. No doubt about it — senior year will come and go. Take an afternoon to capture it!

If you want to learn more about posing twins and other seniors, check out my free 9 piece posing kit!

Are you a senior who wants to book your own twin senior pictures session? Apply here!

Busting 4 Myths About Senior Rep Programs

It is no secret that I believe a senior rep program is a game changer for any photographer looking to break into the high school senior photography business. But figuring out how to price your program so it’s actually profitable (and not to mention FUN for the students involved) may be causing you to second-guess whether a rep program is really the best way to work with more high school seniors this year. Today I’m going to debunk some of the myths surrounding senior rep programs so you can see why senior rep programs are the single best method for breaking into, and growing within, the senior photography niche!

Myth 1: Reps join for free

The truth is, a senior rep team member gets exclusive access to added value — not reduced payment.

Group shoots, venue rentals, and your valuable time are certainly not free — so your program shouldn’t be either! A successful senior rep team that provides a great experience for your ambassadors AND brings in new, qualified senior leads to book out your calendar does not have to operate at a loss.

Knowing how to price your senior rep program doesn’t have to be complicated, either. In my course Rep It! I teach two simplified pricing & package models to follow for a profitable and effective program: Simple & Tiered.

Once you choose your model & apply your simplified package pricing, you can list your price on your application or share it confidently during your info meeting.

Then, you’ll reap the booked-out benefits of a healthy senior rep program without losing money in the process.

Myth 2: Each rep must refer at least one person

A common complaint I hear from other photographers about senior model teams is that the team members just “don’t do anything” or that it just “doesn’t work.”

After 6 consecutive years of running an effective senior rep program at JenRenPro, I’ve learned that there’s been a miscommunication in the photography world about what exactly senior reps are expected to do as a member of the program.

In reality, the best way to get a rep’s friends to book their senior photos with you is not to just expect the rep to do all the heavy lifting. It’s to work alongside your rep: they participate, you promote.

It’s not unlike the way the kicker on the football team works with the holder. The rep is the kicker — he or she is excited to be on the team, proud to wear the uniform, and ready to take center stage on the field for his or her chance to score in front of the crowd. You are the holder — you’re essential to the field-goal, and the kicker isn’t going to be able to succeed without you setting up the ball just right.

Use this mentality when you’re posting stories from your team events, sending graphics for your team to share, and designing branded gifts or merchandise.

Once you adopt a “what’s-in-it-for-them” mentality, any marketing effort you make will result in having more qualified leads checking out your senior photography services.

Myth 3: There can only be one Rep program in my area

Do these thoughts ever creep into your mind?

“The market is saturated!”

“There’s a popular program from a popular photographer in my area already!”

“I just moved here and don’t know anyone!”

There can be a hundred programs in an area, but there’s only one you. That’s why I tell photographers to build a STANDOUT program based on your journey, their generation, and creative separation. 

Incorporating YOU into your program is the easiest and most powerful way to attract the right students onto your team. 

The next time you sit down to design your annual rep team schedule for the year ahead, think about how to create photoshoot concepts, merchandise, & community give-back that makes your program naturally unlike any other.

Once you do this, you’ll not only feel more aligned and at-home with your team (your “people”), but you’ll also find it easier to attract not just MORE applicants, but the RIGHT applicants.

Myth 4: The bigger the better

In reality, it only takes serving one student to help you break into the local senior photography market.

There’s a term I use in Rep It! called the “Rep Ramp” which refers to the 3-step process to breaking into and growing within the senior photography niche in your area. Establish in year one, grow in year two, and refine in year three. 

It only takes one domino to start the fall. Your first representative might be a lot easier to recruit than you think — in your establishing year, having even one representative (whether a booked client or an actual team member) means you get secondary access to his or her friends, family, peers and teammates IF the client experience is word-of-mouth worthy.

When you’re looking to break into senior photography, start small with 1-3 reps. Pair a great client experience for them with the right marketing coverage, and you’ll find yourself with senior rep applications pouring in months before it’s time to recruit the next class’ team.

My biggest piece of advice for someone hesitant to start a senior rep program

Many photographers, myself included, begin photography as a creative outlet, hobby, or project. It’s one of those unique careers which are artistic and sensitive in nature, but yet, desperately requires business skills like accounting, customer service, and marketing in order to thrive. 

We’re notorious for obsessing over presets, camera gear, and shoot locations, but we actually should be more concerned with entrepreneurship, sales skills, and mindset.

Someone who believes that “there can only be one program in my area” or that “the market is too saturated” has a bright, neon sign pointing back to themselves that says “I’m not sold on me yet.”

Don’t let fear drive the decision-making in your business. You get to decide how far, deep, wide, and high you want to take your photography business for you and your family. Get sold on you, first!

Are you ready to learn everything you need to know about running a standout senior rep program? My course Rep It! is the all-in-one marketing roadmap for senior photographers. 

Click here to learn more about the program and how to join!

4 Ways To Create A Standout Senior Rep Program | Senior Photographer Education

Wouldn't it be cool if you could have a senior rep program SO signature, that students from out of your state reach out to ask if they could be a part of it? To build a standout senior rep program, you must learn to master the art of reading the (ever-changing) room:

1. Probe pop culture

Keeping your finger on the pulse of popular (“pop”) culture keeps your photo shoot themes fresh and relevant, while still being different from photoshoot concepts already made popular online.

Seek out inspiration from events like the Met Gala, the superbowl, TV series, movies, TikTok aesthetics, or popular concert tours.

Examples: Bridgerton, Eras Tour, Barbie, Coastal Cowgirl

You can also pay attention to recycled ‘vintage’ aesthetics that are rising to popularity again. 

Examples: 90s/y2k and its low-rise jeans, bright colors, & platform shoes

Don’t forget to include a classic, tried-and-true theme into your annual group photoshoot schedule, too. — just be sure to add your own personal twist to it.

Examples: USA, but in an airplane hangar instead of a field, or shot completely on film.

Note: there’s a fine line between a cool, new concept and something SO out there that students may be hesitant to participate in. Pop culture that’s relevant to your generation will likely be different from what’s relevant to teens — the next point will help you strike the balance.

WHY IT MATTERS: Choosing photoshoot themes that excite will encourage more people to apply for your program, and catch the attention of seniors (and their parents) online.

2. Poll the audience

Sometimes it can feel like knowing what teenagers like and don't like feels like you're speaking a different language than they are, and in some ways…you kind of are!

The best way to get inside their mind is sometimes to just ASK!

On social media:

Utilize the poll features on social media to ask students which themes they'd like to see for next year's photoshoot schedule, what their current favorite coffee or boba tea shop is (jot this down for the meet and greet), and which makeup or skincare product they would want most for their birthday this year (jot this down for their surprise welcome gift).

On your application: 

Another way to do this is to add a question to your senior rep application that allows THEM to tell YOU which photo shoot concepts or locations they've been wanting to try.

Interestingly, I've been seeing more seniors than ever before use words like "different," "unique," and "never done before" in their applications. Now that social media has been around for a while (especially to this generation), it's less likely to come by completely original ideas or inspiration online. So, why not go straight to the source and hand them the mic? 

On set:

Get into conversation with your current team & team parents and ask them for feedback. There's hardly anything more valuable than being perfectly in tune with your students (and their parents) so that you can make well-informed decisions about your program going forward.

WHY IT MATTERS: Your client wants to feel heard. Making the extra effort to incorporate their suggestions and feedback builds trust, and the type of client experience that’s going to have them raving about you and your program to their friends and family.

3. Pinpoint the generation

Your program serves two groups: the student and the parent. Knowing this is essential, but still not enough. You also need to account for which generation each of your clients belong to in order to earn and retain their attention.

For example, a Class of 2012 senior model team (millennial students and boomer parents) will be motivated by and attentive to completely different things than a Class of 2029 team (Gen Z students and millennial parents).

The way they respond to messaging and promotion depends in large part on their generation.

Are you still designing your senior rep program to cater to millennial student behaviors? Get to know Gen Z now, and when the time comes, transition your business and marketing to better serve Gen Alpha.

Psst - the last Gen Z student graduates in 2028.

Class of 2029 will mark the beginning of an entirely new generation!

Ways to do this: reading, social media observations, get in conversations with them

WHY IT MATTERS: knowing your audience acts now is one thing, but studying their behavior in a way that helps you predict what’s coming next empowers you to be a first mover in your market

4. Peek-a-boo product placement

If you’ve tried having a senior rep team before and the people on your team just didn’t “work” — it might be time for a new marketing strategy. The good news is, I’ve got one!

Despite popular belief, the most successful rep programs are not the ones whose students do the most work. Gone are the days of requiring your senior ambassadors to pass out a certain amount of promotional cards to their peers, or insisting that they themselves carry the responsibility of bringing you a certain number of leads. Your program will help you book out your calendar only once you yourself, as the photographer, master the finesse of marketing your program first, and your business second.

One way to do this is with subtle, peek-a-boo product placement.

Today, this is more indirect (and more effective) way to market.

Lean into trends that are popular with teens now (for example: I’ve noticed my clients start to wear more oversized sweatshirts rather than fitted sweaters, and more baggy pants rather then leggings or skinny jeans)

Plus, now that you’ve studied the generations your serve, you know that:

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are known to be adverse to advertisements

99% of Gen Z consumers will hit ‘skip’ on an ad if it’s an option

86% would be more inclined to buy a product recommended by a friend than a paid influencer

When designing wearable merchandise for my team to sport, it’s important to make the design subtle enough that it doesn’t scream “this is an ad!!!” but interesting enough to catch attention and get people asking questions.

If they’re more likely to wear it with their peers, you’re now creating at the very least subconscious brand awareness with them.

Another example of this is branded cookies placed in year-end gift boxes. Subtle, cute, aesthetic, attention-getting, thoughtful, and ultimately…post-worthy!

WHY IT MATTERS: Authentic, word-of-mouth referrals are still the best way to grow your photography business. Offering indirectly-branded merchandise that excites is a key to increasing your brand’s awareness in your area.

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Standing out can also mean “to make an impression” and “to shine.”

At first, having a standout senior rep program means that a client will hear about you and your program for the first time. Whether by word of mouth, on social media, or otherwise…you’ve gained exposure. In essence, you’ve made an impression.

Then, once they’re aware of your photography business, the team, what you offer, etc. — now, standing out means you “shine” with your personal brand touch. This is what guides them to a well-informed decision that is the best fit for their family. In this sense, standing out is the difference between someone simply knowing about you and choosing to ignore you, and someone who eagerly signs up for your program as soon as they get the chance.

The exposure piece helps them FIND you.

The personal brand piece helps them CHOOSE you.

My standout senior rep program changed the game for my senior photography business.

The results from my senior rep program speak for themselves. Once I had my program established, I no longer had to work weekends or book photography gigs I wasn’t passionate about and I went from generating less than $10,000 in annual photography revenue to achieving my first 6-figure year. I know from personal experience how valuable these rep programs are, which is why I am so passionate about other senior photographers having a rep team of their own!

Take their word for it!

My rep team families come in for great photos, which they get! But what they’ve told me pleasantly surprised them was the bonds made between the team, and the organization and seamlessness of it all.

If your goal is to book more senior sessions, what you DON'T need is a copy-and-paste program that costs you valuable time and money without bringing you any new leads.

What you DO need is a standout program that's true-to-you, profitable, creative, & important to your local community. And setting yours up is easier than you think.

Have you tried the whole “senior rep” thing, but haven’t seen success? Check out my free guide for 5 more tips for starting OR scaling your own senior rep program in a way that actually leads to more senior bookings without being more expensive than it’s worth!

How to Audit Your Senior Posing Flow in 6 Steps | Senior Photography Education

Having a senior posing flow changed the game for me as a senior photographer. I used to get a bit nervous before sessions, print out entire posing sheets, and scramble through Pinterest inspo before a session — only to forget it all once we started. Leaning on shortcuts, like a posing app or storing pose inspo on my memory card, wasn’t cutting it either. Having a posing flow means being able to nail LOTS of different poses with a degree of speed that keeps the client comfortable (which should be a huge priority for senior photographers) and most importantly, creates killer results. A well-developed posing flow is like a built-in guide in your mind that guarantees each session, no matter the time limit or circumstance, will lead to happy clients who love their images.

A senior photographer’s posing method begins well before the session takes place. Use the following questions to assess whether or not your senior posing flow needs a revamp.

1. Prep

Is your posing expertise communicated in the inquiry, discover, prep, & check-in phase of your senior photography experience?

Posing starts waaaaaaay before the photo session. Before physically posing the client, it's important to mentally and emotionally check-in with their expectations around the session in general. This is the perfect opportunity for you to be their trusted advisor, their guide, the expert in their photography experience. Don't miss out on these important pre-session touch points.

2. Kickoff

What are you SAYING before you start DOING? How do you establish yourself as the trusted guide? Do you show the back of the camera? What pose do you start with?

Start with the same base pose and/or introductory phrase: 

"You couldn't mess this up if you tried!"

"Remember, I'm going to tell you exactly what you need to do."

"Let's start with some easy, no-pressure warm-up poses."

The number one thing on your client’s mind when you first get started is probably something about being nervous, so help them feel safe and excited with a simple verbal reminder.

3. Language

Are you explaining the pose verbally or physically? Are you snapping photos in silence? Are you using positive, proactive language when redirecting your clients?

If your plan going into sessions is to stay quiet behind the camera and wait for your client to figure it out, think again! Try to fill almost every moment with verbal affirmation, positive/constructive adjustments, and of course, physically demonstrating the pose as well. 

Remember, these clients don't have a mirror, and they can't always see the back of your camera! All they see is a photographer with a big camera pointed at them. How are they going to know how it's looking if you don't tell them? Communication is non-negotiable for a positive client experience.

4. Expectations

Are you establishing expectations early and clearly?

Establishing expectations as they relate to posing includes:

• Where to park and meet you

• Who should come to the session

• What parents or guests do during the session

• How you’ll be directing the client today

• Choosing poses according to both parent & senior preferences

Remember, we serve TWO clients: parent and senior. Be sure to have clear approaches to making each party feel catered to and taken care of.

5. Variations

Do you spend several minutes setting the client into a pose, only to snap a bunch of the same base pose without taking advantage of the variations available?

Are you posing your clients, prompting them, or both? 

How do you change your posing flow between girls, guys, twins, young teens, and larger groups? 

Are you leveraging the posing power of props during your senior sessions?

Even the slightest change to add variations can be the difference between a regular photo session that simply satisfies the client and an amazing senior photo session that has your client posting your images, leaving you rave reviews, and insisting their friends and family book with you ASAP!

6. Style

How are you making your poses unique to your photography style? Do you enjoy posing your clients? How often are you trying out what inspires you?

"No one is you, and that is your power" 

The best poses will reveal themselves over time. At first, maybe by accident, but eventually you'll start to see patterns in your work and realize, "hey, that's kind of my thing! I love it!" Of course in our world it's easy to find ideas and be inspired by others, but don't forget to also look inward, take time to rest and recharge your creative battery, and try new things with willing clients or your model team.

Not only will having a solid posing flow allow you to show up to your sessions confident that you can trust yourself and nail it, but your clients will feel it, too. Every client is different and will require different degrees of guidance, and every location, weather scenario, and session differs, too. Having a flow means having an ADAPTABLE method, rather than using the same reference sheet for each and every client. They’ll see your confidence and expertise during the session, and be wowed by the results in their photos. Happy clients lead to the most valuable result of them all: warm, eager, trusting word-of-mouth referrals!

Ready to take your senior photography to the next level? With a solid senior posing flow and my 9-piece posing kit, you’ll be unstoppable! Download the posing kit here for free.

4 Reasons You Need A Senior Rep Program As A Senior Photographer

To have a senior rep team, or not to have a senior rep team…that is the question.

Any time I explain to my senior photography students or even people outside of the photography world how I've designed my senior rep program and made it an integral part of my photography business (read: being booked out year after year, baby!), they often stare into the distance for a second and then come back with, "Wait...that is genius." It works — I'm telling you. But don't just take my word for it, check out the evidence below to see for yourself!

First, what is a senior rep program? It is a curated team of qualified high school students who represent your senior photography business throughout their senior (and sometimes even their junior) year. Having a senior rep program empowers photographers to make a name for themselves in their local senior photography market and grow a raving, referral-based business. At the same time, a senior model program that is set up effectively will be profitable, effective in drawing in qualified leads, and honestly… a whole lot of creative fun, too!

My senior photography business experienced a night and day change once I implemented my improved senior rep program model. I went from generating less than $10,000 in annual photography revenue to hurdling past my first 6-figure year. These results speak for themselves when it comes to whether or not I think senior photographers should have a senior rep program, but we can break down the “why” even further.

1. Social media is always changing, but word-of-mouth is forever

While senior photography client leads can come from numerous sources, like Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, your website's SEO-optimized blog, print marketing, mail campaigns... there is one referral source that most often brings eager, kind, ready-to-book leads into my pipeline — and that is, people who heard about me from someone they know that took their senior photos with me.

So how do you get more people to talk about your business? You kick up dust. Make a splash. Become visible in your market.

Easier said than done, sure — but the truth is, NOT having a senior model program could be costing you some seriously awesome clients.

According to a study by Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over all forms of advertising. Another study by McKinsey found that word-of-mouth is the primary factor behind 20-50% of all purchasing decisions.

Knowing how to nail personal networking AND social media with video marketing skills is non-negotiable in today's photography business landscape.

TL;DR:
Having a senior rep program means leaning into personal networking FIRST, and social media second. A strong personal network in the senior photography space leads to warm, often pre-qualified word-of-mouth referrals, regardless of what 'the algorithm' is doing.

2. Don't know what to post? Group photo shoots are a content creator's dream

Do you ever feel like you want to attract more senior photo clients, but don't have any exciting senior-related bookings or events coming up on your calendar? Having a senior rep program means having beautifully styled, fun photo events taking place on your calendar year-round, so you'll never NOT have something to share online.

Senior rep events and group photo shoots are perfect opportunities to share what it's like to work with you — plus, you can market both your rep team AND regular senior photography portrait services at once.

There's a lot of talk about "showing your face more" and how important having a "personal brand" is for business owners in today's photography business space. For a while, as social media carved its path into more traditional, faceless marketing tactics, many business owners dragged their feet when it came to showing up online. The thought of filming ourselves, having to learn how to edit videos, and facing the fear of being perceived by strangers on the internet was daunting. But what if we re-framed those thoughts? What if incorporating video marketing into our social media strategies could be fun, quick, easy & effective?

Video marketing, short-form and long-form, is here to stay, and storytelling will become more important than ever for the success of your photography business. If you have any content-related goals this year, let it be this: prioritize setting your content apart from the rest through storytelling! Check out this reel for more on how to do it!

TL;DR:
Content is about more than just your usual bookings. You can utilize your senior rep program for portfolio work and behind the scenes storytelling to boost your marketing to the next level.

3. They build lasting referral sources

Unlike marketing strategies like paid advertising, offering discounts, or time-sensitive mini sessions, a well-designed senior ambassador program will attract high quality leads who want to work with you specifically year, after year, after year.

You see, a senior rep program takes on what I teach my students as the "Rep Ramp" — a 3-part process where the rep team is established, grown, and, finally, free to run on autopilot. While having a rep program is a long-term marketing strategy, the beauty of it is that you're planting seeds now that will reap bountiful harvests later, like:

-when your super unique group shoot photos become found on Pinterest 2 years after they're taken, or 

-when the younger siblings of your current rep team's member finally become a senior and refuse to work with anyone else, or

-when the freshman who found you on social media from a senior rep group shoot post started following you, and has been on your waitlist for years

Choosing to start a senior rep team takes more effort and input in the beginning, and eventually gains enough momentum to run itself. There are, of course, always new and exciting updates made to the program, such as which new photoshoot concepts to introduce, adjusting your booking process, and raising your prices to stay profitable and ensure a positive experience for all team members.

TL;DR:
The referrals you get from an established senior rep program snowball and continue to reap benefits for years!

4. Senior Rep teams maximize the already existing social dynamics of high school students

Unlike photography genres such as newborns, weddings, and even family sessions, the senior photography niche is complimented perfectly by having a limited-time team in place (i.e. 12 months of being a high school senior) to attract current and future leads. Not only do rep teams support the ever-popular teenage habit of posting photos online, but having representatives who are currently enrolled in local high schools automatically spreads your work into pre-existing, extremely tight-knit high school student & parent communities.

Gen Alpha spends 4 hours a day on social media... so the importance of meeting these clients (and let's not forget: their parents) where they're already at is undeniable.

But don't forget that social media is only one piece of the marketing puzzle — it's never been more important to nurture and grow a real-life community within your brand.

TL;DR:
With actual high school students representing your business, you’re showing up exactly where your ideal client already is.

Not only does a senior rep team benefit your business, there are additional benefits that are so fulfilling. It’s hard to pick just one, so I have two favorites. First, the relationships I’m able to build with the girls throughout our time together, including seeing them grow SO much in one short year and sending them off into their next chapter by the end of it. Second, the cool destination locations we visit as a part of our group photoshoot adventures. Nothing brings a group of people together like exploring, adventure, and figuring-it-out-as-you-go!

When I implemented my rep program, I went from a wide-open calendar to having to create a last-minute, makeshift waitlist when my schedule got too full. My favorite part of all? I went from booking any photography gig that came my way (weddings, events, you name it) just to make end’s meet to gaining the freedom to pick and choose projects from a place of light-hearted desire — not financial necessity.

Want 5 clear tips on how to start a successful senior rep program for your photography business? Check out my free guide here!

5 Reasons to Niche to Senior Photography

Have you ever found yourself eagerly looking forward to certain types of photography sessions you have booked, and dragging your feet to go to others? 

Well, then, it may be time to take a good, hard look at which types of bookings you’re becoming known for. Some call it a niche, some call it a focus…the important thing is that you choose one based on what supports your growth as a business owner AND your creativity as an artist.

Let’s face it: every photographer has a different set of personal values, and I believe all photographer’s personal values spill over into which type of bookings they gravitate toward. 

This means the photography niche you choose to focus on is not only an important step in your journey, but a necessary step toward a burnout-free, financially sound photography career! 

(And, as to whether or not “niching” is required to be a successful, full-time photographer…I believe that it’s important to experiment with niches in the beginning of your career before ultimately choosing one major niche, and maybe 1-2 complimentary niches as your primary offering. The topic is debated, but the truth is — a lightning bolt is only the width of a thumb, and still hotter than the sun.) 

As a seasoned photographer in the senior photography niche myself, there are many things I love about working with seniors, teens & their families. In this post we are calling out 5 values that senior photographers usually hold. If you find yourself reading through any of these values, nodding your head and resisting the urge to grab a pitchfork and shout out “Hear, hear!” in your place of reading…then it just might be that the senior photography niche is the perfect one for you. Let’s dive in!

1. You prefer individual portraits vs groups

In photography, there are many niches: weddings, events, nature, seniors, boudoir, newborns, families, and even pets. If you're someone who is beginning to realize you enjoy the more calm, 1:1 nature of a portrait session versus, let's say, a wedding day or event photography — then congratulations, you may have just taken your first official step into the rewarding world of portrait photography!

Many photographers start booking couples shoots and weddings as a way to bring in more substantial booking income. I get it! It can seem that the only way to really 'make it' as a photographer is to work within this niche. While it is a really great way to build your portfolio and get your name out there, working with more than one subject means additional posing instruction and sometimes even managing the dynamics between the subjects. Then, you factor in things like age (working with kiddos), tight schedules (15 minutes to capture 20+ family formal photo combinations), and/or the unpredictability or working event venues you've never been to before (eg. being hired to photograph a company holiday party) — and next thing you know, you're spending more time adapting than you are creating beautiful artwork via your photography skills!

It's important to try as many genres as you can in the beginning, so you can experiment with the types of photography you enjoy and the types that don't fulfill you creatively or professionally.

TL;DR:
It IS possible to make a full-time photography income shooting only senior portraits.

2. You enjoy fashion + editorial work

Let's face it, teens know what's cool! For that reason, there's an inherent degree of fashion-forward, cutting-edge trends incorporated throughout the wardrobe brought to senior sessions

While breaking into the fashion industry may or may not be your goal, working with trendy, fun-loving, naturally youthful teens is an inspiring, fashion-adjacent category.

If you're a photographer who's fascinated by Paris and New York fashion week, love a good Pinterest-sesh, have always taken an interest in sewing, fabrics, or design (Hello, Project Runway! I myself may or may not have visited the Mood fabric store and left with a "thank you, mood!" t-shirt as a souvenir - if you know, you know) — if that's you, then don't be surprised if you feel naturally pulled to work with seniors! 

TL;DR:
Senior photography is not only a viable career option financially, but it's also extremely fulfilling creatively for fashion-lovers.

3. You feel called to celebrate others

By default, being a senior is all about celebration. Celebrating turning 18 and becoming an adult, celebrating the completion of your secondary education, and potentially celebrating the next chapter which comes after turning the tassel and collecting your diploma. As such, when you're working with seniors and their parents, the mood is naturally full of excitement, hope, pride & appreciation. Who doesn't want to work with that?!

As photographers, feeling a sense of purpose in our work is an important safeguard against burnout. Knowing your 'why' in photography, what drives you, is not only a key part of your messaging in marketing your senior photography business (I teach this to my students in Rep It!) but it also provides YOU, the artist, with a sense of pride in your own mission.

TL;DR:
You are more than a photographer who delivers images. You operate as a part of a bigger, more meaningful purpose in the lives of your clients.

4. You prefer not to work on weekends

I'll never forget the lightbulb moment I had in year 1 of my photography career. I thought to myself, "Wait. So if I get really good at this whole wedding photography and engagement photoshoot thing...and I get 'booked out'...then most of my Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays are going to be spent...at work?" It didn't sit right with me. 

As photographers, we have the privilege and freedom to create our own schedules (queue the confetti poppers!) but what happens when that suddenly turns into weekends traveling for all-day wedding engagements and weekdays editing thousands of images? 

All photographers will reach a point in their career when they meet a fork in the road, and have to hold up their written list of values and use this list to decide which path to take. For me, I value weekends at the beach with my surf-loving family, and would much rather keep my photo sessions on weekdays. (Haven't written down your values yet? Do that now! It'll be your guide as you navigate business ownership.)

TL;DR:
Senior photography means true freedom of schedule.

5. Gives you the ability to work with a fun-loving age group

No two teenagers are the same and you’ll certainly work with a wide variety of personalities over the course of your senior photography career, but it’s safe to say that you’re bound to have loads of fun at your senior sessions.

You remember what it's like to be a teenager! School, friends, football games, homework...that is your world, your reality. It's fun to tap into their life, reminisce alongside them, and ask them about what's next.

Being around younger people can feel rejuvenating. Seniors are often bubbly, respectful, and great listeners. In general, being around them is enjoyable.

Plus, the parents! A HUGE part of working with seniors is, of course, working with their parents, too. It's an incredibly sweet dynamic to witness. While spending time with the seniors is fun, silly, & fountain-of-youth-y for us, speaking with the parents gives us a sense of camaraderie, of wisdom, and shared pride in their awesome senior!

TL;DR:
Senior photographers cater to two groups: seniors and their parents.

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My favorite thing about being a senior photographer is witnessing the love and support that my seniors experience from their friends and families. In a way, the photos I take and the artwork I deliver is just a vessel for people to come around the seniors and help them feel loved & celebrated in the way they deserve to be. From the parent's POV, I get to help them properly document an undeniably special time — the official transition from childhood to adulthood. 

Want to know the most common word used in my feedback form? "FEEL." 

At the end of the day, parents of course want nice photos of their son or daughter, but more than anything, I think they appreciate the feeling of confidence that comes from a well-prepared senior photographer's photo experience. And from the student's point of view, watching seniors hype each other up online when they post their images is so sweet to see.

The main things that drove me toward senior photography were my two younger sisters. We are extremely close, and growing up I just always had a way of watching over them, supporting them, and eventually, taking their senior photos! I also coached cheerleading after graduating college, and that reinforced my passion for being around teenagers during what can be difficult years of one's life. I've always felt comfortable with teens, like I get the sense I can read them well and understand their queues (when they're uncomfortable, or starting to get more comfortable), which is an important skill to have on set.

If you're thinking about leaning into senior photography, take a close look at what's important to you, your values — in your life and business. You might be surprised to learn that creating a thriving, booked-out senior photography business where you are truly in control of your schedule and your income is absolutely possible for you, no matter where you are located or how much experience you have. We all have to start somewhere. 

Ready to start with more seniors? Download my 5 Things Every Senior Photographer Needs to Know guide to learn how to make a splash in the high school senior photography world.