How Long is a Senior Session?
How long do senior pictures take?
If this is your first time planning senior photos, you may be wondering how long a senior session actually is! This is a great question so that you know how to plan your day and so you’re prepared. My senior portrait sessions are between 1-2 hours, with a couple of exceptions. The length of a senior session depends on a few different factors:
Do you want to go to multiple locations? How far apart are those locations?
Do you want multiple outfits?
How many photos are you expecting to get back?
How involved is your senior photographer in your session?
Do you want to go to multiple locations? How far apart are those locations?
If you’re only wanting one location for your senior session, your session will be shorter. Some photographers will spend 20 minutes to one hour at one location, but I‘m always at one location for one hour. We’re able to move around one location so much with an hours time so you can get a variety of different photos! I find that anything less than an hour can feel a little rushed (unless you have an added on mini session, which is a little different). If you’re wanting more than one location then your session will be longer. Are you wanting an urban scene and nature? Do you want the beach and the city? Maybe you’re looking for a flower field and a lake. My sessions that include two locations are always two hours so that we can spend one hour at each spot. You’ll need to discuss with your photographer if travel time is counted in your session time. For example, if you’re traveling to two different locations and they’re 20 minutes away, do you lose out on 20 minutes of photo time or does it not impact your time? For my senior sessions travel time is not included in photo time, so even if a location is 20 minutes away, you’ll still have two hours total of photo time. Some photographers will limit how far apart locations can be, so check with them on that as well!
2. Do you want multiple outfits?
If you want to wear more than one outfit during your senior session that will increase your session time. I always allow three outfits within an hour session. Typically, it’s best to do one casual outfit, one dressy outfit, and then a fun outfit/whatever your heart desires for your third outfit! That way, you can get a ton of different looks all in one session. But, the more outfits you are changing into the more time you spend changing during your photo time. If you’re only wearing two outfits during your session you’ll only need to change once which doesn’t take a lot of time. If you’re changing multiple times, you’ll want to have a longer session so you have an adequate amount of time in each outfit and so things don’t feel rushed.
3. How many photos are you expecting to get back?
Some senior sessions include 5 photos, while some include over 100 photos, it just depends on the photographer. There’s a huge difference in how much time you need depending on how many photos your package includes and every client has different needs. My packages range from 40 photos to about 100 photos and my clients always choose which package they’d like after seeing all of their photos. If you’re looking for 5-15 photos, you can get away with a short session with one outfit. If you’re looking for over 100 photos, you’ll want to have a session that is over one hour so you can get a big variety within that amount of time, move to various locations, and wear multiple outfits. Think about what you’re wanting out of your senior session to determine how many photos you’d like- do you only want a few photos for the sole purpose of posting on social media, are you hoping to fill an album full of photos, are you wanting wall art to decorate your home, do you want a wide variety of photos to decorate with at your graduation party? What you want out of your session will help with knowing if you less more or less photos.
4. How involved is your senior photographer in your session?
This may seem like an odd question because obviously your photographer is involved since they’re the one taking your photos, but exactly how involved they are can completely change your session. If you are meeting your photographer at your session location, saying hi, getting right into taking photos, and then leaving when you’re done, the time spent at your session will be much shorter. I LOVE to create an entire experience for my seniors, so I’m super involved in their session and spend a lot of time with them that doesn’t include taking photos. Most of my sessions include hair and makeup, so that’s around two hours of time. I also love to meet up with my clients at a cute cafe right before we take photos and chat with them for awhile before we get into taking photos. Meeting up beforehand allows my client to feel much more comfortable going into photos, and I love that I get to know them much better before posing them as well! Since I provide hair and makeup for my clients (with a professional hair and makeup artist) and meet up with them beforehand (and typically chat for a bit after their session), I’m super involved in my sessions and that means my session days are much longer than an average session. My sessions are a half-full day experience because I love creating memories for my clients, having them feel pampered, and I love getting to know them. Senior sessions for me are more than just pretty photos, they’re about creating a memorable experience and making my clients feel loved and beautiful.
My biggest tip: Try to clear your entire schedule for the day of your senior session. If your only plans for the day are your session, you won’t be rushing around to make it to a different event and you won’t be stressed out. You’ll be able to focus just on your session and be able to enjoy yourself more! Also, if the weather takes a turn and your photographer needs to adjust the time, you’ll easily to be to change things around a little.
Overall, every photographer runs their sessions differently and every client has different needs. Both of those will impact how long your actual senior session is. Make sure to discuss with your photographer what length would be best for you so you’re prepared! If you’re looking for a memorable experience, different locations, and multiple outfits, I’d suggest a two hour session. If you’re looking for something a little more simple and are happy with one location, a one hour session would be great for you (or shorter if your photographer offers it).
Have SO much fun during your senior pictures and your senior year!! Your senior session is just one day, but you’ll remember it for a lifetime!