Senior Portrait Photographer in Loudoun County, Virginia
Your senior made it. Twelve years of homework, early practices and late projects, and now it’s the last one. I’m Jennifer Gonzalez, a senior portrait photographer based in Loudoun County, Virginia, and I photograph seniors from Ashburn, Leesburg, South Riding, Sterling and Purcellville-outdoors, in the places that actually look like home. Your senior’s personality comes first and the posing is my job, not theirs. You’ll leave with images worthy of any wall in your house, and yes…I know the best fields. It’s the most requested thing I get asked.
What a senior session with me looks like
Seniors often stress about locations, poses, or outfits. I am here to take you from the initial concepts, through the whole session, and work with you on making selections for your final edits.
I have all the poses you need to feel your most confident. Will you like every single image? Probably not because that is just how it goes with portraits. But I know you are going to have a very hard time deciding on which ones to pick. Some of my selection sessions have lasted well over an hour as my clients have accused me of taking too many good photos. Oops!
Do you want a certain vibe or feeling for your session? I got you. Want a field? I know the best. Feeling more like a downtown or city location? No problem. I am incredibly knowledgeable on locations throughout Loudoun County.
Common questions for parents
When should we book senior portraits?
Most of my seniors photograph in fall or spring of their senior year. Book earlier than feels necessary because fall is my busiest time and I only take 6 seniors. Booking in Spring? Consider lead time for graduation announcements and when your student will receive their cap and gown.
How much do senior portraits cost?
Senior packages start at $800. If your senior wants something truly special with different seasons, multiple sessions, and more perks my Senior VIP experience is $1,400 and includes those multiple sessions throughout the year, priority booking on my calendar, a small accordion album, and 50% off everything you order. Most VIPs spend less overall than a package client who orders a lot of prints.See the Senior VIP experience →
How long does a session take, and how many outfits?
My smallest package is 1 hour for those who just want to get some images to commemorate their senior year. A select few can choose my top package that is closer to three hours and fully customizable for a senior’s dream session. Most go with my middle package that gives you up to 2 hours for all of your needs. I suggest 2-3 outfits and we will go over these during our planning session. And don’t worry… I have a pop-up changer so no changing in a bathroom or car.
Where do we shoot?
You can choose anywhere within an hour from Loudoun County that fits your senior. Fields and golden-hour light are what I’m known for -I know which ones look good in different seasons. Downtown Leesburg, tulip fields, and Old Town Alexandria are also regulars spots. If your senior has a place that means something to them-their field, their barn, their front porch-we’ll use it.
My senior doesn’t know how to pose and hates having their picture taken.
Good. That’s the normal starting point, and posing is my job, not theirs. I’ll tell them exactly what to do with their hands, their chin and their feet, and I’ll keep talking the whole time. I’ll tell dumb jokes that will make them laugh and relax. You’ll recognize your kid in these photos and that’s the whole point.
Should I come to the session?
I love having parents attend a session. It is one of those moments you can’t get back. My assistant will carry everything so you can come and be fully present. If it would be easier for them without you, that’s fine too. And if you want a few images of the two of you, tell me ahead of time and we’ll build in the time.
What if it rains?
We reschedule, no fee and no drama. I watch the forecast and I’ll reach out that morning at the latest if it’s not going to work. Overcast is not rain. In fact, soft grey light is some of the best light there is, so don’t panic at a cloudy forecast.
How do we choose the photos, and when do we get them?
About 1 week after the session we sit down together for a selection session and choose your final images. I’ll help you narrow them down-fair warning, my clients regularly accuse me of taking too many good ones, and some of these have run over an hour. Finished images are ready approximately 1 week after you choose.
Do we get the digital files, and can we print them ourselves?
Every image you order will come as a digital file sized perfectly for social media. You have trusted me to take your baby’s portrait-trust me to deliver products like prints or albums that are worthy of your investment. They will arrive perfectly packaged on archival paper designed to last the test of time. Please note that your digital files will work for your graduation announcements but I do not offer print releases for other types of prints.
My senior plays a sport. Can we shoot in uniform?
Yes, and it’s one of my favorite things to do. I shoot local games and team coverage across Loudoun, so I already know what an athletic portrait looks like. One timing note: plan your session before uniform turn-in since once the jersey goes back, that photo is gone.