SENIORS

Welcome Package

Meet Your Photographer

Hi, I'm Deanna.

I'm a Syracuse area photographer specializing in High School Senior Photography, Fine Art Dance Portraits, and Family Photography. I live locally with my husband and two children, where you can find me chasing after them with a camera in hand! Before pursuing photography, I was a 4th grade classroom teacher and dance instructor. I have had a deep rooted love for photography since childhood. In recent years, I have spent countless hours in numerous professional development courses, online workshops, and traveling to intensive photography retreats to hone my skills to capture the best moments of my clients’ lives. Taking pictures has been a passion of mine and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to document this important milestone for you!

To me, the memories we make during your session are equally as important as the images we create! As a full service photographer, I offer a luxury experience from start to finish that includes professionally printed products so that everything is taken care of for you! I can’t wait to make some memories with you!

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still ”
— - Dorothea Lange 

What to expect

In this guide, we’ll go over what you need to know to make the most out of your senior session, as well as provide information about the process. We want to make sure that the end result is a set of beautiful images that are an honest reflection of your Senior. This guide will help you prepare for your upcoming session by providing details on choosing a location, styling tips, and what to expect during and after the session.

My goal for senior sessions is to take a lifestyle photography approach, which means I focus on capturing the true spirit and emotion of your senior. You can expect some lightly posed image, and some candid shots and images that involve movements. I love incorporating interests and hobbies into our session including sports, instruments, and other extracurricular activities.

After your session, I will be working hard behind the scenes to cull the best photos. Your gallery is typically ready within two to four weeks of your session. At that time, we will meet in person to view the fully edited images and I’ll help you select the products for the package that you purchased. You will have the opportunity to add additional products at our in person meeting.

Before Your Session

At the time of booking, we will choose a date that works for both of us and a $200 creative retainer fee will be due to hold your spot for the session. I’ll also email you a contract and model release form to be signed and completed via email. Additional investments in packages begin at a minimum of $475. Total minimum investment starts at $675 (creative retainer fee plus minimum package). Please note that unedited RAW images are not included in any package at any time. You will choose which package is best for you prior to your session, clients agree to pay the final amount due on the date of the session.

The Session Day

It's the day of your session! Please pack all your outfits, shoes, and accessories and meet at the designated meeting point. It’s very important that you try on all clothing and shoes ahead of time - this includes making sure items are ironed and looking their best! Make sure to eat before the session (hungry subjects aren't happy subjects) and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.

During the session, I will guide you through everything and show you poses and more. You don't have to be nervous! It's my job to make sure you have the best experience possible and capture you at your best. This is where we have fun, laugh, and get the best photos possible. Final payments are due at this time, I accept cash, credit, check or Venmo.

After Your Session

After your session, I will send you a few sneak peeks because I know you will be eager to see your images. My typical digital gallery turnaround time is 3-4 weeks, and I will keep in touch to inform you of the progress of your gallery. Once your gallery is ready, I will email you with the exciting news that it’s time to meet in person to see your images and make selections for your packages!

Kind Words

We couldn’t be happier with our experience working with Deanna for my daughter’s senior portraits. My daughter uses a wheelchair, and finding someone who could accommodate our needs while making the experience feel natural and fun was incredibly important to us. From start to finish, Deanna exceeded every expectation.

She was prompt to reply to our inquiries, professional, and clear about what to expect. During the shoot, she was punctual, efficient, and incredibly patient. Deanna made the whole process seamless, and her warmth and understanding made us feel completely at ease.

When the photos arrived, we were blown away. The images are absolutely stunning—she truly captured my daughter’s beauty and personality. The package was thoughtfully presented, complete with a sweet, unexpected gift that added such a personal touch.

We would wholeheartedly recommend Deanna to anyone looking for a photographer who combines talent, professionalism, and a genuine care for her clients. Thank you, Deanna, for giving us memories we’ll cherish forever. ~Stefanie


Deanna was wonderful to work with!  She was friendly, professional, flexible and listened to all of my ideas.  My son’s senior photo session shoot went perfectly and the pictures were ready quickly.  Thank you for capturing this moment! ~Erin


PRICING

Collections
Package #1

    • 1-2 hours of shooting

    • 20×30 print

    • 16×24 canvas

    • 12 gift prints 5×7 size

    • 20 digital images

    • 20 page 10×10 Signature Album

    • Cap and Gown Session in June

    • set of 25 Graduation Announcements

    • Price $1,700

Package #2

*most popular

    • 1-2 hours of shooting

    • 16×24 print

    • 11×14 Float Frame canvas

    • 10 gift prints 5×7 size

    • 10 digital images

    • 20 page 10 × 10 Signature Album

    • Option to add on Cap and Gown Session for $99

    • Price $1,000

Package #3

    • 1 hour of shooting

    • 8×10 Float Frame canvas

    • 10 gift prints (5×7 size)

    • 3 digital images

    • Price $475

ADD ONS

à la carte

Prints

  • 5x7 - $15

  • 8x10 - $25

  • 11x14 - $30

  • 16x24 - $50

  • Wallets (8) - $35

Albums

  • 10x10 signature book with 20 images - $400, $15 per additional image

  • 10x10 signature album with 20 images - $700, $15 per additional image

Acrylic Prints

  • 11.5 x 11.5 - $350

  • 16 x 24 - $420

Metal Prints

  • 16 x 20 Metal - $200

Digital files

  • 1-10: $50 each

  • 11-20: $40 each

  • 21 plus: $30 each

Canvas

  • 8x10 - $150

  • 11x14 - $175

  • 16x24 - $300

Canvas w/float frame

  • 8x10 - $200

  • 11x14 - $225

  • 16x24 - $350

Other Products

  • Graduation Announcements 5x7 cards set of 25- $60

FAQs

How long in advance should I book?

Senior sessions take place primarily in the Spring/Summer before entering senior year. They can also occur in the early Fall if you're wishing to have the beautiful fall colors Central New York has to offer. It is best to contact me during the months of April and May to set up your Spring/Summer session.

What should I bring to my session?

This session is about you, so bring anything that shows off your personality and interests. Props could include musical instruments, cars, and even pets. You can also bring makeup and hair brushes/products for any last minute touch ups you may want to make. Please bring a parent/guardian/friend to the session with you to help with holding all of your outfits and accessories. If you'd like to listen to music while we take pictures you can bring your favorite playlist to help you feel relaxed and comfortable.

What if it rains?

The week before your session, I’ll be watching the weather to make sure everything looks good. But if it looks like there’s going to be inclement weather the day of your session, I’ll reach out a few days in advance to start formulating a game plan. Typically, if the weather forecast calls for a 50% chance of rain or high winds our policy is to reschedule.

Should I get professional hair and makeup done?

I highly recommend it! It is not a must, by any means, but the impact that really well done hair and makeup has on your senior portraits is quite amazing! I have a few hair and makeup artists that I can recommend.

How long does it take to get my photos?

You can expect your completed images to be ready for viewing within 2 to 4 weeks of your session date. We will meet via Google Meet to make selections on the products you would like, I’ll place the order through the professional lab that I use, and items should be to you within 4-6 weeks after we submit the order.

We are ready! How do we book?

To book your date I need a signed agreement, model release contract and a $50 deposit (creative retainer fee). Once booked, we will begin to organize every detail.

Do you offer a yearbook portrait?

Yes! I am happy to help with your yearbook portrait. Each school has their own specifications for this, so check with your yearbook coordinator to find out what the requirements are and we can work together to make this happen! Yearbook portraits are taken at my home studio in Manlius at the start of your senior session.

What if my son/daughter doesn’t like to be photographed?

Photo sessions should be fun! I will do everything I can to make it an enjoyable experience from start to finish! You can assure your Senior that I give them very specific directions for posing so they are never left wondering what to do. Their comfort and confidence is my top priority during the session. In addition to this, I offer a Zoom call before your session so that we can "meet" ahead of time so on the day of your photo shoot you see a familiar face!

What edits will be made to each image?

Senior galleries are hand edited by me - I adjust each and every picture until it looks just right! While I strive to get as much “right” in camera as I can, I love the power of a great edit! My editing style is natural with slight enhancements to what is in the frame. This includes but is not limited to making sure skin tones look right, editing blemishes, making colors and subjects “pop” and cropping each image so that it is optimized for printing and products. See below for an example of a before and after edit:

What happens at our purchasing appointment?

At the Purchasing Appointment, you get to enjoy your slideshow of images and place your order. Please come prepared to make all decisions on fine art portraits, albums and prints. Please make sure that all decision makers are present and allow up to an hour and a half for this experience. All orders must be placed and paid for in full at the end of the appointment unless other arrangements have been made. All such payments are final. This will be your only opportunity to see all of your images, so it is recommended that you prepare lists of all sizes and quantities of prints that you expect to order prior to the session. After your purchasing appointment date, photos will be archived for 12 months. Photographs can be retrieved from their archived state with a minimum order of $100. You can expect to receive your order approximately 4-6 weeks after the appointment. Feel free to print the catalog for note taking before and during the purchasing appointment.

<— Before

After —>

Thank you

get in touch

I hope this guide has helped to answer a few of the basic and most frequent questions you may have. I want to make your session experience something you will look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make. Your future memories are the most important thing to me and I want your session to be a time for you to just be yourself and enjoy it! If you have any additional question, please feel free to contact me directly. I look forward to working with you!