10 Questions to Ask Before Booking Your OSU Grad Photographer
Booking an OSU grad photographer is a big decision — you’re trusting someone to capture a moment you don’t get a re-do on. Before you hire anyone (me included!), here are the 10 questions worth asking to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. I’ve been photographing OSU grads for almost a decade now, and questions like these come up in nearly every conversation I have before someone books. If you’re reading this because you just reached out to me — hi! These are exactly the things I want you to know before we even start talking about scheduling.
1. How do you help me feel comfortable and prepared — before and during the session?
Honestly, this is the question I wish more grads asked upfront, because it’s usually their biggest fear even if they don’t say it outright. Here’s how I handle it: when you inquire, I’ll reply with a short video reply, so you can see me right away. Before your session, I’ll send you a prep guide and a short questionnaire so nothing feels like a surprise on the day. When we meet up, we’re not jumping straight into posing for photos. We take a few minutes to catch up, get you settled, and let the nerves shake out before the camera even comes out. From there, the pace is relaxed, not rapid-fire; I’ll guide you through prompts rather than stiff poses, so you’re moving and reacting instead of holding a position and waiting to be told you can relax. My goal is that this feels like hanging out with a friend (who just happens to also be taking your pictures.)
2. What’s actually included in the price — and is there anything that costs extra later?
Straight answer: no hidden fees, no required print purchase, no upsells buried in the fine print. Your session fee covers your 2-hour session and your gallery — full resolution, downloadable — is included, not an add-on. A 50% non-refundable retainer holds your date, with the remaining balance due two weeks before your session. That’s it. If there is something else you want that isn’t included, I’ll tell you before you book. Not after.
3. How long is the session, and how many locations do we realistically get to?
Sessions run 2 hours, and we typically hit 3 locations — enough to get real variety without rushing you from spot to spot like a checklist. I plan the route ahead of time based on light, crowds, and what matters to you, so we’re not wasting your session wandering campus trying to decide where to go next. If there’s a spot that means something to you (your dorm, your favorite coffee shop, wherever) just tell me and I’ll build it in.
4. What’s the plan if it rains, snows, or a location is closed/under construction?
Ohio weather does what it wants, and campus is under construction or hosting some huge event more often than not. I always have a plan — and a backup plan. I keep the week leading up to commencement held for rescheduling emergencies. If your date looks unideal, I’ll reach out ahead of time to talk through rescheduling or shifting plans, rather than leaving you to figure it out the morning of. And if a location’s closed when we get there, I’ve got backup spots in my back pocket — you’re not standing around while I improvise.
5. Can I bring a friend, and how does splitting the cost work?
Yes! You and a friend can share the session. One of you will reach out initially, and we can add your friend for email reminders & invoicing. My system accepts card payments, and you can split the cost however you like. Some of my favorite sessions have been two roommates cheering each other on instead of just one grad standing there solo. If you just want a friend there for moral support (not in the photos), that’s great too.
6. How many photos do I actually get — the full gallery, or just a curated “highlights” set?
You get the full gallery — at least 75 images — not a stingy “best 10” hand-picked for you. My galleries are delivered as high-resolution, downloadable files through an online site, so you can print, share, and post whatever you want without asking permission first.
7. How long will I wait to see them?
Turnaround is 2 weeks. I know grads are usually racing a deadline — announcements, LinkedIn, a family slideshow — so I build my schedule to hit that window, not push it. If you have a hard deadline (grad party, a specific announcement date), please ensure you are booking at least 2 weeks ahead of that date to allow for sufficient processing time. And if your session itself gets pushed back for weather or something out of our control, I still do everything I can to deliver by your original due-by date. But even in a perfect world, there’s a limit to how much a shifted shoot date can be absorbed without moving the delivery date too.
8. Can I print/share my photos without restrictions?
Yes. Once your gallery’s delivered, you receive a personal usage release — meaning the images are yours to print, share, and post for any personal purpose (social media, announcements, gifts, wall art, wherever) without asking permission first. No watermarks, no “you have to buy prints through me,” no hidden fees.
9. Can I see a full, real gallery from one session — not just a highlight reel?
Absolutely. Honestly, you should not book any photographer without seeing this. Anyone’s portfolio is their best-of-the-best; a full gallery shows you what consistency actually looks like across an entire session, not just the three shots that made it to Instagram. View one of my full galleries here.
10. What’s your policy if I have an emergency and need to reschedule?
Life happens — exams pile up, someone gets sick, a family emergency comes up. If something legitimately out of your control gets in the way, reach out and we’ll find a new date, with no penalty for the first reschedule.
I hope this gave you real answers instead of more things to wonder about! If you’re ready to see all the details and get your date on the calendar, I’m ready for you, and can’t wait to hear about what you’re dreaming up!
