Photo Session FAQ’s

- WHAT SHOULD I WEAR/BRING?

Your portrait session is all about you. Bring clothing that fits and shows off your personality & style. If you're buying clothing for the session, make sure it's ironed and looking fresh. Keep it on the hanger in the car so it doesn't get wrecked.

Check out my free STYLE GUIDE for tons of pro tips!

It’s also important that you are comfortable in your clothes. If you are not comfortable, it will show in your pictures. Girls - feel free to wear heels, but also bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes or flops. We'll be walking around a LOT!

- I want traditional portraits. Is that something you offer?

My portrait style is heavily influenced by fashion industry, advertising, and candid portrait photographers from cities around the world. This artsy, candid, urban-styled look is what I've been creating for years, and it's what I strive to achieve with every shoot. I believe images like this show more emotion & personality than a traditional portrait. Because of this, I don't offer much traditional posing. If you're looking for a more traditional-mindset photographer, shoot me an email and I'll connect you with somebody you'll love.

- Do You Photograph Guys too?

Yes! About 15% of my Senior clients are guys.

In general, girls care a lot more about having stunning senior portraits. Since senior photos are expensive and require a lot of prep for both parties, I need you to be excited and invested in creating amazing images. Parents, if your student is not excited about senior portraits, we will not be a good fit.

- I have no idea where I want to be photographed!

Never fear. I’ve got tons of unique, different, stand-out urban and nature spots in town. During your consultation phone call, I can help you decide. Feel free to scroll through my Insta for some inspiration. I’m also glad to help you decide which outfits & colors look best with the surroundings.

- What about glasses?

You can rock ‘em! I want you to look like the you that your friends know. If you don’t have anti-glare coating on your glasses, be ready for reflections. There are few tricks I can do to help, but I can’t really edit or remove reflections in your glasses.

If you have transitioning lenses, keep in mind they’ll absolutely look like sunglasses in the light, especially if we shoot outside. Again, I can’t do a lot about that in editing. Maybe pick up a cheap, similar Walmart pair of glasses for shoot day!

- Do you offer hair and makeup?

I do not currently offer hair or makeup work. I recommend clean, simple makeup application with added emphasis on lips and eyes. Lots of my clients get professional makeup done at Ulta the day of, and schedule hair appointments at their regular salon a week or so before the shoot to make sure everything's on point.

Again, check out my Style Guide for more tips!

Guys: Drink plenty of water, eat clean, shave, and use some chapstick for a week before your session so your skin looks its best.

- I keep seeing your SMOKE BOMB Photos! Can I do one?

HECK YES! Smoke bomb photos are amazing. People on IG love them.

Know that I can't use them in public spaces such as downtown, neighborhoods, parks, or the Monument. I cannot use smoke bombs indoors. Some of my desert locations are super ideal for smoke bombs.

Other reasons such as active fire bans or too much wind can keep us from using them.

Smoke bomb colors can permanently stain clothing, so wear something you’d be okay with getting stained. Also, these things stink. Real bad. If you’ve got asthma, major color dye allergies or anything similar, let’s try something else.

- HOw does payment work?

50% of the Session fee is due at sign-up. The 50% Session deposit is non-refundable, and holds your spot on my calendar. Payment happens online, before the session, all through my website. The remaining 50% of the Session Fee is due anytime on or before shoot day.

Due to the nature of digital photography and the amount of work I put into every image, it's my personal policy that I can not deliver any final images or printed products until payment has been completed in full.

- What can I expect during the photo session?

On the day of your session, we will meet at a designated location. Generally I shoot in the evenings for that soft, pretty light. I usually spend about 45 minutes per location. We’ll pay lots of attention to getting the perfect poses, as well as the fun candid shots in between. To make sure you’re loving your images, I’ll regularly show you the back of my camera as we go.

My shoots are pretty fast-paced and full of energy… We'll be moving around a lot. Watch my IG story to see some behind the scenes: @jerchannel

- What can I expect during the Ordering Session?

A few days after your Photo Session, we’ll meet up to view your images for the first time. Generally Ordering Sessions happen in the home so we can measure walls, view images on the TV, and make better decisions based on decorations and wall colors. I’ll provide expert advice during the decision-making process for Graduation Announcements and choosing your Yearbook image.

We’ll watch a slideshow of all your finished images, then place your final print order of your favorite images from your Senior Session. My average client spends between $700 and $1200 purchasing prints, wall art, and a senior album. I don’t have a minimum printing investment, but that’s what most people spend to get most of what they want.

A minimum deposit of half of the final print order total is due at the end of Ordering Session, and the remaining balance will be due in full before pick-up.

Your Print Order will arrive in about two weeks, and we’ll schedule a hand-off.

- DO YOU OFFER RETOUCHING?

YES! Basic retouching, color, and blemish cleanup is included with every session! 

I like to keep it simple. I 100% avoid the crazy whitened teeth, super smooth skin, digital body morphs... Gross! I mainly focus on cleaning up your face and any major stray hairs. I do not remove tanlines or braces.

- Can parents come watch my senior session?

Short answer: Yes absolutely, parents are welcome. BUT READ: 

I make a huge effort to make my photo sessions feel like "friends hanging out and taking pictures" more than this "big high-pressure photoshoot” deal.  If your parents will make you nervous and awkward, talk with them and make a plan. Often, parents will come for the first few minutes to meet me and see the process, then run errands or go for a walk while we shoot. Every family is different and it’s totally up to you.

- Can I bring a friend to my session?

If you bring a buddy, we’ll probably put him/her to work carrying your stuff. You may bring one friend to help you look your best. We might even sneak a couple bestie pics of you together!

Please do not bring the whole squad, and please don’t bring young children/siblings. Your session is about YOU, and I can't have you distracted!

- Can I bring a pet to my session?

Look... I love pets. And I know you love Mister Floofy, and I know Mister Floofy is your everything. But from experience, having pets in photos really doesn't work out well. Pets get SO excited and overwhelmed by the new surroundings. No force will hold Mister Floofy down, and even the top shelf treats do not cause him to look at the camera. It’s actually kind of the worst.

If you reeeally want to bring Puppers to your session, bring a friend or parent along to keep the pet entertained on-leash elsewhere during your session, and only bring him out for a couple shots. Jeremy Poland will not be held responsible for lost or damaged pets during your session. 😂

- Can I Bring My Boyfriend to My Session?

I know he's sooooo dreamy. But please. Please please please do not bring your boyfriend to your session. I've done this long enough to know your boyfriend will distract you, make you nervous, and waste our time. You are paying me far too much to let him mess this up. This is the one and only rule I’m very strict on. Don’t do it!!

- Do you offer in-studio portraits?

YES! Limited dates are available for studio & backdrop portraits. HERO Sessions are super popular with sports kids.

- Can I use the photos on insta?

YES! You will be able to download your final photos directly to your phone.

Feel free to post your senior session images online. Word of mouth is my best way I reach new people, and it makes my day when my clients share their images. 

 - Can i make my own prints at Walmart, Target, etc?

I do not offer a copyright release to print images from any of my portrait sessions.

When ordering through my professional print lab partners, you're paying for quality paper & inks that will last a lifetime. "Hour Photo" labs use cheap inks & paper that will poorly represent the photo quality you paid me for!

- CAN I HAVE THE ORIGINAL RAW PHOTOS FROM MY SESSION?

Due to the nature of my editing workflow, RAW/unedited images are not available.

- Will you reschedule for bad weather or illness?

Of course! I keep a few backup dates open every month just in case.

Let’s Do This.