Looking for a fun, stress-free senior photographer in Metro Detroit? I specialize in candid, personality-driven senior photos for high school seniors in Troy, Rochester, Birmingham, and surrounding areas. Most sessions last one hour, include 200+ edited images, and are delivered within a week.
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Being a photographer for high school senior photos in the Detroit area brings me so much joy. Capturing seniors just before they crash out of the family nest is exhilarating and always surprising. They are always happy to indulge my artistic creativity, offer their own ideas and together we are able to collaborate on fantastically unique, personality filled senior pictures.
How much do senior photos cost in Metro Detroit?
Most sessions range from $400–$1,000 depending on how much time you want and locations. This includes all edited, high-resolution images with fast turnaround. Simple, stress-free, no surprises.
How long are senior photo sessions?
Most are one hour, with options for longer sessions. Most seniors can manage 3 outfit changes in an hour.
When should I schedule senior pictures?
Spring through late fall offers the best variety of looks. Best to book when you're not as busy.
I photograph high school senior sessions all over the Detroit area, including parks, downtown areas, as well as unique personal locations that mean something to you.
- Two spots in Detroit… classic or artistic?
- Birmingham - Pick either a small city vibe or park in the middle of nowhere.
- Rochester - Your choice… town or nature.
- Troy - Choose either country or a fall wonderland.
- Location of Your Choice - Book a 2 hour session.
The list of my favorite photography locations for senior pictures include a wide variety of backgrounds where I know the light is great, the access is easy, I can get LOTS of cool photos within an hour and we are welcome to be there (always a bonus) and it's free.
♥ Pick outfits that you love and feel good in. If you are uncomfortable in your clothes, your body language will reflect that.
♥ Senior photography sessions are collaborative. I'm happy to work with what you bring to the session both literally and figuratively.
♥ We'll learn to trust each other and to push some limits. This is a great time to experiment with each other. There is no such thing as right and wrong. Will you print all the photos? Nah, but I promise we'll have fun.
♥ You'll be amazed how genuinely fantastic you look through the eyes of a professional photographer. Seeing what photos really reflect you and your personality is exhilarating. This is why sometimes a photographer asking you to do something that feels strange can be stunningly beautiful.
♥ Senior photo sessions are about exploration. I'll coach you if you need it, but I really want to capture your body language.
♥ This is a tiny slice of your life. I want to capture exactly who you are on that day. This is a time in your life when you can let it all hang out. There is no judgement from me.
♥ I want you to have fun and feel liberated. That's why I ask parents to keep their distance. I know they can't help commenting. But I want us to figure out the day together as a team without a parent's critique.
♥ I get it. When parents can't help but give you instructions, we both take it as criticism and it deflates us both.
This time in high school senior's life flies by. The whole year is a whirlwind blur. It's also a year where every senior has one foot out the door. It's an exciting and sometimes scary time. What better time to capture artistic and cool photos of them before they leave the nest?
I've created a list of places in Detroit and the suburbs that offer a huge variety of looks so there is something for every taste and style. I have samples of my favorite engagement locations that have free parking, easily walkable, a wide variety of backgrounds, are free and we are welcome to be there. Most have bathrooms for changing. With a wide variety of country, city, classic and rustic locations, there's bound to be something that fits your vibe and feels very "you".
Something you love and feel great about yourself in. Make sure you've tried on the outfit at home and make sure to bring all the pieces of the outfit with you to the session. Most of my seniors can manage two outfit changes after the outfit they start in. Girls… what your hemlines. I like to get you sitting down, walking and moving around and a LOT of the girls dresses are so short I can't sit you down without seeing your "boy shorts". Guys? If you're rocking a tie, make sure you know how to tie it!
Spring after May 6th is the start of the "senior photo" season when most of the leaves are back on the trees. Summer is amazing, except for July. For some reason, here in Metro Detroit, it's always hot and humid with lots of storms and too much sweat! Everyone loves fall, but keep in mind that it's a crazy busy time for seniors (especially those that have a fall sport or activity) and that the leaves don't turn until October 6th and are gone by Nov. 1st. Winter? Well… let's just say that drippy noses and red faces aren't quite as photogenic as you might think.
I charge by the hour for my senior sessions. A 1 hour session is $400 all the way up to a 3 hour session that is $1,000. Most high school students stick to 1 hour. It includes all edited, high-resolution digital files in 7 days. See below for all the details.
Most of my senior photography sessions are an hour long. Two are sessions are usually for seniors that want to go to multiple locations, or have a unique place they want to go. The two hour sessions are also great for "buddy" sessions where seniors can split their time with a friend, a sibling (great for twins), a romantic partner, etc. The 3 hour sessions are usually for seniors who want to split their session into two different days which works for athletes, or seniors with two or more completely different interests. But yes, most of my seniors opt for hour long sessions.
Well, I know I'd feel awkward in front of a stranger. But honestly, you'll get over it within a few minutes. Sure, I'll take a lot of the standard, safe, perhaps "cheesy" photos. It's a great way to warm up. But I also like taking risks and seeing what we can create together. Figuring out your personality and how to showcase it is part of the fun of day. It's a great time to celebrate you and mark the occasion.
I'm a photographer for senior photos that blends real life colors without all the trendy filters (that will date your photos really quickly). I want the photos to look as fresh and timeless in 30 years as they do today. I used to be a sports photographer, so I'm happy to indulge all sorts of sports and activities that involve movement. Capturing peak moments is totally my superpower. Adding a bit of creativity and artistry is also a hallmark of my senior photos. I like taking people dressed for one thing doing something unexpected (like the Cranbrook senior playing hockey in his suit or the swim team captain lounging in a lake in her homecoming dress.
A week. Yes, all your edited, ready to use digital files are back to you within a week. I have an extremely quick turn around time to get your pictures to you.
All of my senior picture packages are pretty straight forward. They include the following;
• Printing rights to all your high resolution, edited and ready to print digital file images.
I deliver an average of +/- 200 images per hour of photography,
• Unlimited posing. Let's get as much done in that hour as we can!
• Most seniors can manage around 2 additional outfit changes per hour of photography, for a total of three outfits.
• You'll receive a link to all your password protected the high resolution, edited,
adjusted, and ready to print digital files,
as well as up to 5 free retouches of your choice!
• Delivery of the images within a week!
• All the sessions are on shot at locations that produce a LOT of variety within a short period of time.
See my list of favorite senior photo session locations in Oakland County and Detroit to see which suits your style best.
If you prefer a unique location that's not on my list, you will need to book a two hour session.
If some of these photos look like they're taken in a studio, they're not! I light everyone on location for a professional, clean and dramatic look.
Option #1 - Individual hour long senior sessions are $400, shot on location
and
you own all 200+ ready to print high resolution digital images.
These sessions are limited to one person only.
Option #2 - 2 hour long photo sessions are $700, also done on location.
These can be "Buddy Sessions" where you bring a friend, a sibling,
a twin, your romantic partner or whoever you'd like!
Or you can take the whole 2 hour session for yourself!
This is perfect if you're highlighting a lot of different outfits,
unique ways to photograph your sport or showcase your cool activities.
Also perfect for those looking to have me come to a unique location.
Looking for more information about Metro Detroit and Oakland
County senior photography pricing
and what's included with your senior photo package? Just click the link!
Option #3 - 3 hour long photo sessions are $1,000 and are also photographed on location.
These can be extended "Buddy Sessions" where you bring a friend, a sibling,
a twin, your romantic partner, a family session or whoever you'd like!
Or you can take the whole 3 hour session for yourself!
Most of my seniors break the 3 hour sessions into two different days. This way you can create two totally different looks.
This is also great for seniors who are athletes and want one session to be more traditional and the second day to be geared towards sports / activities portraits and then get some true sports photography as well.
Also perfect for those looking to have me come to a unique location.
Looking for more information about Metro Detroit and Oakland
County senior photo pricing
and what's included with your senior photo package? Just click the link!
Looking for information, tips for high school seniors and answers to all your questions?
• This section has my photography schedule, how to schedule an appointment, tips for seniors about
what to wear, location options and answers to many of your questions.
• If you're looking to book an appointment, please send me 4
possible dates that work for you (M-TH only please) along with times (3:00, 4:15 or 5:30, etc.) and 2 of your favorite locations as well so I can match your calendar to mine!
• If you still have questions and want to know more, feel free to send me an
email .
I'm always happy to answer
any questions you may have.
I thrive on photographing all seniors. Most of my clients either love or loathe having their pictures taken.
Bet you can't get who is who. I'm LGBTQ friendly, happy to work with special needs seniors, neurodivergent seniors, or as I call all seniors, students ready to be done with high school!
This is a fascinating, somewhat scary time in your life and I want to celebrate you for who you are right now.
No pressure, just a fun, easygoing way to capture your spark before you ignite the world.
" Marci was the best, she really worked with my child to make sure she was comfortable and honored any ideas or thoughts. She created beautiful photographs and was so helpful with everything. She clearly loves her craft. We would recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer for any event! !!" - Google Review from Sarah (Genna's Mom)
Want to read what more seniors and their parents are saying about me?
Wondering about the variety of senior photos I typically generate from my sessions? Check out these senior pictures below. I've organized them into mini albums. Click on each one and look through the variety of images I capture from each photo session. Every senior is unique and I think their senior portraits should reflect their individuality. Do I wish I had more samples of the guys? Yeah, but I'm working on it.
What?!?! Who hates the idea of having their senior photos taken? Well, to be honest, most of the guys. Many/most high school senior guys are sent off by their Moms for senior sessions. They don't love the idea of it. I can spot them in the parking lot and Mom looks like she might be holding a taser. Joking, sort of.
But here's the funny part. Guess who ends up being my best collaborators and get the most creative? The guys! Once they understand that I'm not going to just boss them around and am not interested in the fake smiles, they end up enjoying the hour and coming up with their own version of a dream session.
High schoolers never cease to amaze me how open and willing they are to just be themselves and trust the process. I'm their biggest fans and the results are stunning.
Feel like watching a couple of Metro Detroit, Michigan Senior Photo Picture Gallery in slideshows?
Please email me to check availability!
Click to go back to main page!
Looking for an unobtrusive, professional, yet easy going
photographer to photograph your high school senior photographer and senior pictures in
the Detroit area of Michigan? My specialty is in getting seniors comfortable enough to relax and have fun. Most seniors tell me they feel like they're at a magazine shoot. I want them empowered and to feel like they got to be themselves and feeling their best. I want to create fun, unique, personality driven senior photography by collaborating with seniors near Troy, Rochester, Birmingham and Metro Detroit. You'll have fun, I promise!
My senior photography business is located in Troy, Michigan, so all my sessions are within a 25 minute drive from Troy.
Most seniors
have a lot of photoshop skills and are happy to have the flexibility to do whatever
they want with their photos and can manipulate and alter their senior photographs to
their heart's content. Having a photojournalist trot around with you for an hour or two, snapping away as we get to know each other better mades for more natural
photos.
All the great moments without the stress of a regular sitting. The reason my sessions start with a minimum of an hour is because it takes a while for the senior and I to connect and tune in to each other before we can really start collaborating. Trust takes a bit of time. Once the realize that I'm not boring, up for anything and happy to listen, the magic begins.
You also own
all the rights to your images right off the bat. That means you can print as many
wallets as you want, make it into a poster or a book, the sky's the limit. Most
studios still work from the business model where they charge a very low sitting fee
($15-$100), then sit you in a room and show you the photos and make you order them
right then and there (often with tissues on hand). They don't release proofs anymore since people just take them
home and scan them and print from those. So they have to make all of their money on
the prints. I get this, they've got brick and mortar businesses that require a lot of
money to run. I just don't like the idea of holding someone's photos hostage for a
ransom! Parents tell me they typically pay at least $600 for the cookie cut out
studio photos (a couple of 8x10s, wallets to hand out to friends) and at least $1200
from the designer studios that offer individual t.l.c. the way I do.
This page shows
the kind of senior portraits I take using my photojournalism skills. I photograph senior
photos throughout the Oakland County area as well as downtown Detroit. I'm located in Troy Michigan where I try
to photograph most of my senior photography, but if you live nearby in one of the other
Oakland County areas, I'm happy to travel to your senior to photograph their senior
photos for a two hour senior session. I'm happy to take senior photos in Bloomfield, Rochester and even as far away
as seniors in Farmington Hills. Some folks may call what I do photographing senior
portraits in Michigan. I do photograph senior pictures in Oakland County, MI. Seniors
love the results and get to feel like a model for a day.
© Copyright Marci Curtis