FAQ

from Seniors

booking

WHAT DAYS ARE YOU AVAILABLE?

Contact Lauren to find out if we're available on a certain date. We schedule most senior sessions for weekdays.

WHERE ARE Y'all LOCATED?

We photograph seniors all over the greater Austin area + the hill country. Ask about travel fees to a specific location outside of central Texas.

How can i book you? What is the payment schedule?

First, use the contact form on our website. Lauren will give you more details on senior photo collections. To save your date + time on our calendar, we'll need a signed agreement and a $150 retainer. Credit cards and bank transfers are accepted through an easy, secure online service. Your final payment (the remaining amount) is due 1 week before your session.

How does the waitlist work?

We photograph high school seniors in both Fall and Spring. 

Fall – Mid-September through early December | The waitlist opens in mid August
Spring – March through May | The waitlist opens in mid February

At the beginning of both seasons, we contact the waitlist and allow them the first opportunity to book their session. If we're fully booked or we're currently outside Fall/Spring, we highly recommend inquiring with us and joining the waitlist.

Which team member is the best fit for me?

You're in good hands! We've created a team of very talented and experienced photographers, if I do say so myself :)  You will communicate with Lauren to schedule and plan your session. Your photographer will be Lauren, Bri, or Marci. Based on the location of your session and the availability of our team, Lauren will choose the photographer who will be the perfect fit for you!

HOW SOON BEFORE GRADUATION SHOULD I BOOK MY SENIOR PHOTOS?

We have some seniors take their photos in the fall, and some in the spring. Keep in mind that you’ll need enough time to receive your photos (10 days), print them or order announcement cards, and mail them before graduation.

Fall and spring also have the best weather for outdoor photos, and our calendar tends to fill up quickly, so it’s best to schedule your session around 2 months in advance.

If you’d like to wear your cap & gown in some of your photos, you may need to wait until the Spring. Or, you could  find a past senior from your school who has a gown you could borrow.

We stop photographing UT seniors in late April, because campus is too crowded in May.


fall vs.spring sessons >

WHAT LOCATIONS DO YOU SUGGEST?

The Austin area has sooo many great photo locations. Click the button below to see our favorites.

our favorite locations >

On UT's campus, the spots we usually visit are: the steps below the tower, the blue door, the Architecture Courtyard, and Littlefield Fountain. We'll also find some nice spot in between these areas. If you have a specific place on campus you'd like to visit, let us know! Just be aware that campus is big, and we don't want to spend too much time walking between locations.

Can i book a session shorter than one hour?

We do not offer individual senior "mini-sessions" or sessions shorter than one hour. We recommend finding a friend to split a Friends Session with you. It's really fun!

Do you charge tax?

The state of Texas requires that we charge the normal state sales tax of 8.25%, unfortunately. This is the only extra tax or extra fee you'll see though!

DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?

Yes! I take payments through a secure online system. Credit cards and direct bank transfers are accepted. There are no extra fees for paying with a credit card.

planning

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Good question! SO good that we wrote a blog post about it. Lauren will also send you the Senior Style Guide!

outfit tips? right this way >

Should I have my hair & makeup done professionally?

About half of our seniors choose to get their hair & makeup done by a professional. It’s not at all required, but it definitely looks great in photos and can make the experience even more fun! We've known seniors to go to Drybar and Parlor Beauty Bar. We also recommend Glam on Demand and Bonita Brides.

WHAT IF RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST?

Cloudy weather is not a problem at all, but in the days leading up to the session, if it looks like rain will be a problem during the time scheduled, we’ll work together to find an upcoming backup date. It's best to wait until the day before to make the final call, because it can be hard to tell what time of day the rain will come. We can also be flexible with adjusting the time slightly if that would help us miss a chance of rain. This rarely happens, though!

We do not reschedule sessions because of cloudy skies, hot/ cold temperatures (within reason), or wind.

can I reschedule my session?

Once you schedule your session, we turn away all other inquires for that date and time. We don't usually allow rescheduling for reasons other than a strong chance of rain forecasted during the time of your session. That being said, if you have a family emergency or are sick, we can talk about rescheduling. Contact Lauren to tell her about your specific situation, and she'll be as understanding as possible.

your session

Help! I'm not a professional model! What do I do with my hands??

Well, that’s totally normal! You probably haven't taken professional photos by yourself before, and we know how intimidating it can be. But don't worry... we've got you! We'll help you pose and tell you what to do with your hands. We'll also give you prompts to add movement to your photos, making you look super and natural and completely like YOU!

should I bring someone with me?

It can be helpful to bring someone with you to hold your exta outfits, makeup for touch-ups, hairbrush, etc. Just make sure that this person is someone who will make you feel comfortable and be a postitive (not critical) voice during your session.

Will you bring any props?

I won't bring any props, but you're welcome to bring whatever you'd like! A chalkboard or letterboard with "Class of X" or "I did it!" would be cool. Check Michaels or Hobby Lobby. I like to only include a couple props, if any, so the focus stays on the senior. If you have a college t-shirt or sign, that could also be nice.

photo delivery

How "edited" will my photos be?

Lauren's editing style is natural and colorful. Your photos won't look drastically different than the way everything looked in real life. We seek out bright and colorful backgrounds, and find beautiful natural light that will make you really stand out!

Your face doesn't need to be perfectly clear! We'll edit to remove most obvious acne. But don't worry, your face won't look overly airbrushed and poreless either!

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY PHOTOS AFTER MY SESSION?

Your full gallery of edited photos will be ready in 10 days. You’ll definitely see plenty of previews before that too!

DO YOU DELIVER "RAW" PHOTOS?

We don't, and here's why: You're hiring us for our expertise in both photography and editing.  If you love the photo style you see on our website, you'll love the style of your photos too. Your gallery will be full of high-resolution edited photos, ready to download and print.

DO SENIOR PHOTO PACKAGES INCLUDE PRINTS?

Your session includes high-res digital files, not physical prints. This way you own all of your photos and can print them as many times as you want! Plus, you won’t have to submit an official order with me each time you’d like to print new photos!

Where do you recommend we print our photos?

You can order high-quality prints directly through your gallery! We also recommend www.Printique.com and www.MPix.com.

HOW MANY PHOTOS WILL BE IN MY GALLERY?

Your gallery will have at least 80 edited, high-resolution photos in it, depending on the collection.

ready to become
a garrison senior?

contact lauren >

Say hello and be sent the Senior Collections Guide + more information

COPYRIGHT Lauren Garrison Photography LLC © 2016-2024

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austin, Texas + ready to travel anywhere