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Do you know what wedding photographers and senior portrait photographers have in common? They both excel at capturing the essence and milestones of their clients. For wedding photographers looking to expand their business and skills, senior portrait photography is a lucrative niche market worth exploring. Additionally, offering senior portrait sessions can provide a steady stream of income and an opportunity to earn during the off-season and slower months. By leveraging your talents and offering senior portrait photography sessions, you can overcome the challenge of filling your calendar and continue to thrive throughout the year. So, let’s explore how you can become a senior portrait photographer by seamlessly adding this specialized service to your wedding photography business.

Tips For Wedding Pros Aspiring To Be Senior Portrait Photographers

Senior portrait photography involves capturing images of high school seniors as they prepare to enter a new chapter in their lives. It’s a unique and rewarding experience that allows you to capture the milestone achievements of these young adults that will last a lifetime.

1. Research And Understand The Market

When it comes to offering senior photo shoots, understanding and researching the market is an essential first step. Senior portraits hold immense significance in the lives of graduating students as they embark on the journey of adulthood. These portraits symbolize their individuality, accomplishments, and dreams for the future. As a photographer, recognizing the demand for senior portrait photographers is crucial. With parents and students seeking professional senior portraits, there is a vast market waiting to be tapped into. By incorporating this service into your wedding photography business, you not only diversify your offerings but also open up new avenues for generating revenue. 

Read More: 5 Steps To Take When Starting A Portrait Photography Business

2. Develop A Pricing Strategy

It’s important to set a competitive rate that reflects the quality of your work. This means analyzing your market and understanding what other senior portrait photographers are charging. Pricing your services too low might not attract high-paying clients while pricing them too high might drive them away. So, how do you set prices that make everyone happy? A smart solution is to offer various packages to provide a tailored portrait experience that suits different budgets and preferences! By setting a rate that aligns with the value you bring to the table, you establish yourself as a sought-after graduation portrait photographer, which can lead to earning extra money!

Pro Tip: Upsell products like prints, albums, and digital files to increase value and profits.

3. Update Your Portfolio And Market It Effectively

Create a dedicated portfolio that features your best work in this genre and highlights your unique style and approach. Start with a well-curated selection of images that demonstrate your ability to create compelling, high-quality photos that commemorate this occasion. This portfolio can be showcased as a separate section on your existing website or even as a standalone online gallery. Having a visually appealing and user-friendly online portfolio can help potential clients easily view your work in their own time. This can help them visualize what their own senior portraits might look like and make it more convenient for them to choose your services.

After finalizing your portfolio, develop compelling marketing materials, including brochures or postcards, that effectively exhibit your work while also providing clear information about your services and pricing. Additionally, leveraging social media platforms to promote your senior portrait photography services can greatly enhance your marketing efforts and yield positive results.

Suggested Read: Photography Marketing Tips: The Wedding Photographer’s Guide

4. Ask Current Clients For Referrals

Senior portrait photographers can seize the chance to request referrals and reviews from their current clients after successfully booking a few sessions. By asking them to share their photography experiences with you and refer you to their family and friends, you tap into the power of personal recommendations, which hold immense credibility. 

Moreover, creating a captivating online portfolio displaying senior portrait images and testimonials is a great way to attract potential clients. Let your work speak for itself, showcasing your creativity, technical skill, and ability to capture the unique personalities of graduating seniors. Encourage your existing clients to leave testimonials and reviews, which serve as social proof and further bolster your reputation. These opportunities not only boost your credibility but also open doors to new clients and collaborations.

5. Plan Your Sessions

To begin with, prepare a shot list to organize your session and optimize the time you have with your clients. Researching locations before the shoot is equally important, as this can help you experiment with various settings and capture some stunning senior portraits. “Is there a city out there with a vibe that speaks to them? Is there a favorite place where they always hang out?” – Ask your seniors these questions, and conduct the session at their favorite spot. 

Plus, recommend different senior portrait poses to your clients, as not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera or knows how to pose. By giving your clients some suggestions, you can help your clients feel more at ease and confident during the session.

If you’re still looking for some more senior portrait ideas on how to make your client’s session memorable, add some props or take candid senior portraits to show off their authentic personality! By going above and beyond, you can create stunning senior portraits and give your clients an unforgettable experience.

Further Read: Key Factors To Consider When Offering All-Inclusive Elopement Packages

Adding senior portrait photography to your wedding photography business is an excellent way to maximize your income and expand your client base. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of tapping into a new niche market; your skills as a wedding photographer have already prepared you to produce exceptional senior portraits. Use the off-season to promote and market your new service, offer customizable packages, and request referrals to establish a unique selling proposition that sets you apart from competitors. Also, remember to keep up with the latest trends and marketing techniques and always offer excellent customer service.

At ShootDotEdit, we are committed to helping you grow your wedding photography business. And to help you with that, we lessen your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services that match your style. To learn more about how we can help, check out our pricing plans.