Let me start by saying, this is NOT a plug for self-promotion. I genuinely want you to find the photographer that fits you best! Finding the right photographer for you will give you the best experience possible and produce the best photos for your needs. Working with the wrong photographer can lead to a sour experience and photos that you just don't like, not matter how pretty they are. So let's get started!

To start, scroll through Instagram or Pinterest and pay attention to what types of photos you are drawn to. Are they dark and moody? Light and airy? Are the colors vibrant or muted? Does it look posed? Candid? Are most the photos tight (subject is large in the frame) or wide (subject is small in the frame)? Figuring out what you like about certain photos will allow you to narrow your search for a photographer right away, making it easier to find your perfect fit! It will also allow you to communicate effectively with potential photographers to let them know exactly what you're looking for.

I know, I know... it's scary to actually talk to someone. But you can't judge a person's personality based off their emails. And, in my opinion, personality is the most important thing to look for in your photographer. If your personalities don't mesh, then you're going to have a crappy photoshoot. Whereas, if you really jive with your photographer, you're going to have an amazing experience, you're going to look happy in every single photo, and you'll look at your photos and remember how much fun you had. 
By talking to potential photographers in person or on the phone, you'll also be able to judge how professionally they run their business which can make a big difference in the long run. Will they deliver your photos on time? Will they misplace your payments? Do they have insurance? These are all headaches you want to avoid!

Money is always a touchy subject and I know I, for one, want to save as much money as possible no matter what I'm buying. But the old saying, "You get what you pay for" is DEFINITELY true when it comes to photographers. A lower priced photographer is most likely a less experienced photographer. I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, heck, I was there once too and I am forever grateful for the first clients who hired me! You just have to decide how important it is to have a more experienced professional photographer. 
That being said, I would suggest finding a photographer you like (personality-wise) and if they are over your budget - save, save, save your pennies. I promise you, it will be worth it in the long run. Your professional photos will last forever, so making the investment in a really amazing photographer is totally worth it (you'll thank me when your 80 years old and looking through your old photo albums with your grandchildren, I promise). 

Do you want digital images to share online? Do you want to see framed prints hung on your wall? Do you want cool self-standing acrylic blocks for your desk? These are all things to consider when looking for the right photographer. Many of you know, I am a huge proponent for physical photographs - whether that be hanging on your wall or an album on your coffee table - something that you'll see and will make you happy EVERY day. In my experience, when you get digital images, you share them on Facebook and then they sit in a folder on your computer, forgotten, and never seen again. Heck, I still haven't done anything with my wedding photos! Come to think of it, I'm not even sure where they are on my computer.

You've found the perfect photographer, you've paid the invoice, you've set a date for your photoshoot... now what? Preparing for your professional photos is just as important as the photo shoot itself! Being ill-prepared can lead to a not-so-great photo shoot and will leave you and the photographer with a bad taste in your mouths. But don't worry, I'm here to help! Here are my top Do and Don'ts for your professional photo shoot:

I suggest picking out your outfit(s) the week before your shoot and setting them aside. You don't want to accidentally wear that outfit during the week and then it not be clean for your photo shoot! I also suggest setting out jewelry with your outfit during the week to see what jewelry combinations you prefer. If you're looking for more outfit tips, check out this blog post (it's written for Senior photos, but the rules apply to all other professional photos)!

The last thing you (or the photographer) want on the day of your shoot is to have planned too much, get behind schedule, arrive late, and be in a frazzled mood for your photoshoot. That frazzled mood will show through in your photos - trust me. I suggest planning nothing on the day of your shoot. Take the morning to relax and have some "me time". Then schedule enough time to get ready and arrive at the photoshoot location early.  As a photographer, I always appreciate it when my clients arrive early! It means we can start on time and maximize our time together!

Do you get "hangry"? I know I do! I suggest eating a small meal before your photoshoot to ensure you won't get hungry. I know some people don't want to eat a lot before their photoshoot because they are afraid of looking bloated, but honestly, as long as you don't eat a huge pasta dish or something you're intolerant to, you should be fine. I suggest eating until you don't feel hungry anymore, that should be enough to get you through a two hour shoot! You can always bring snacks to the shoot as well!

A lot of people want to look tan in their photos, and I don't blame them! Being tan gives your skin an even tone and looks awesome in photos. Regardless of how you want to tan, I suggest you stop tanning at least 3 days before your photoshoot. This way, if you accidentally burn or your spray tan goes wrong, your sunburn will fade or you'll have time to fix your spray tan before your professional photos. In terms of a natural tan vs. a spray tan, I can't really suggest one or the other. They both have their pros and cons. If I HAD to pick one, basing my decision strictly off what the tan will look like in photos, I would choose the natural tan. But I don't want anyone to get skin cancer, so PLEASE wear sunscreen! 

If you're like me, you've got hair in places you don't want. So you wax or shave to get rid of it. If you're waxing, especially your eyebrows, I suggest doing it at least 5-7 days before your photoshoot. This will give the inflammation time to die down and look natural for your shoot. If you're shaving, I suggest shaving the day before. Shaving isn't typically a huge problem, unless you're using an old razor and get razor burn!

I provide professional hair and makeup to my clients, but if your photographer doesn't and you're doing makeup yourself, I suggest doing your normal makeup, only darker. False eyelashes make a huge difference as well (just make sure you test these out a few times before your shoot - they can easily look awful...). If you've bought new makeup, test it out at least 2 weeks in advance, just in case you have an allergic reaction! 
As for nails, I know the trend right now is to do bold colored nails. These can look great now, but are you going to love neon yellow nails 10 years from now? Chances are you won't. So I suggest a more neutral color - possibly pinks, white, or black. Or go au naturale and have naked nails (those never go out of style)!

It's probably the #1 question I get asked... what outfits should I wear for my Denver Senior VIP Experience? Although it can seem daunting, there are a few "rules" to follow when it comes to outfits that will make you look your best AND photograph well, ensuring you ROCK your Denver Senior pictures!

You know that outfit that makes you feel uber amazing? When you're wearing it, you can't help but hold your head up high and strut because you know you look damn good? Often times this is your favorite outfit in your closet. I can always tell when someone isn't comfortable with what they're wearing or they don't feel their best. ​Wearing your "confidence outfit" for your photoshoot will make you feel amazing and it will show in your photos! 

I know the trend right now is to wear oversized flowy tops, but for people, like me, who have big booties or for people who have a larger chests, these tops make us look heavier than we actually are because our waist is hidden! Even if flowy tops look great on you, they can sometimes make your body look a little bigger on camera. So, yes, bring the flowy top! But also bring other form fitting options.
Even if you're uncomfortable with your mid section because you have "a little extra", 9 times out of 10, a fitted top will look better on camera than a flowy top. Plus, you're gorgeous just the way you are no matter your size (don't listen to the magazines)! And I always make sure to get only the flattering angles for you. If you'd like more help with finding outfits that look great on your body type, don't hesitate to reach out! I'm here to help!

Our eyes can usually make sense of crazy patterns, but unfortunately the camera cannot. Most patterned clothing is ok to wear to your photoshoot, however, please stay away from the small crazy patterns like lots of small stripes, small dots, or small floral prints (some florals are ok), they tend to look weird on camera. I suggest sticking with solid colors and adding interest/texture by wearing a jacket, vest, or jewelry. Or stick with bigger, bolder patterns - those are usually safe. But as always, don't hesitate to send me pics of your outfits if you're not sure!

Most schools won't allow a Senior photo to be printed in the yearbook if it violates the school dress code. So bring one outfit that you could wear to school (Grandma will probably like this one, too)! Your other outfits can be whatever you want!

Wearing accessories will jazz up any outfit! Adding more texture, interest, and sparkle to your outfits will also create a more interesting photo! So I suggest bringing a bag/box of jewelry with rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces to choose from! Although, make sure your necklaces don't get tangled... that's a whole mess no one wants to deal with!