Class of 2026: Your Guide
Senior Sessions with Tom Godfrey Photography
To the class of 2026
In a lot of ways your senior portrait will become like a bookmark or a dog-eared page in a well-loved book. You will move on to other things and places and people. Life will continue to be lived in the present. Someday, however, you will flip through your yearbook or photo album, see your senior portrait and be hit with this warm wave of nostalgia because that portrait is a snapshot of not just you, but your friends, passions, and experiences, too! Take a look at the info and the photos in this guide. It will give you an idea about what to expect during a senior session with me- from getting ready to the final gallery delivery. Remember, this is as much of a collaboration as you want it to be. If you want to meet at a nearby park, take some pretty photos and be on your way then that is what we will do! If you want a session built around your your involvement and voice then I am game!
This is your guide to your experience with me as your senior session photographer.
Part I. Making it official: pricing + booking
Part II. Location, Location, Location… and time
Part III. What to wear and how to prepare
Part IV: The Big Day
Part V. About your gallery
Part VI. Cap and gowns
PartVII. FAQ
Part I. Making it Official: Pricing and Booking
If you are reading this guide then you are considering booking me as your (or your child’s) senior session photographer. Thank you. As a small business owner who has to go up against big studio marketing budgets and “official school photographers,” it means a lot to even be considered. People hire me because I have put a lot of effort into not only my art but also the experience that I deliver my clients. You will see a lot of references to buzz-words like “natural,” “authentic,” walk-in-the-park,” and “stress free.” These adjectives speak to my sessions but also to the business side of things. My packages are simple. My contract is simple (as far as contracts go), payments are easy, and galleries are easy to access, use, and share. If there are any questions along the way then I am always a message, email, or call away.
If you decide to hire me, your first task is to decide which session fits your needs, or the needs of your senior. There is no upsell here. You probably know right away which session you want. If your senior wants nothing to do with this then he (this is very popular with senior guys) probably likes (relatively speaking) the my mini session package because it is quick and easy. Most people go for the middle package because it offers enough time to get comfortable and enough room to get collaborative if you are into that. If you or your senior have a lot that they want to say through their portraits, want to get really hands-on, or want to capture multiple locations, then the last package might be interesting to you.
One thing that you should keep in mind here is that the times below are just guidelines. I am respectful of your time but I do not rush. Truth is, some sessions are faster or slower for a lot of reasons including where they happen. Moore State Park takes a bit of time because there is more walking to get from spot to spot. The Old Stone Church is usually shorter because everything is much closer together. Whereas some photographers rely on pose after pose (and that’s fine), I gravitate much more towards scenery changes.
All sessions come an image of your choice resized for the yearbook (though most schools do this on their own). They also come with a 10 percent discount on a cap-and-gown session at the end of the year. More on those later.
Senior Session Mini: My mom made me come ($300)
15-20 minutes
One Location / one outfit
Curated gallery of individually edited images
Downloads for your 5 favorites
Basic Senior Session: The most popular ($400)
40 minutes - one hour
One location / Two outfits
Curated gallery of individually edited images
Downloads for your 10 favorites
Package Three: The full experience ($700)
Two hours
Two locations / Unlimited Outfits
Curated gallery of individually edited images
Downloads for ALL images
Ok. I picked my package. Now what?
Simple. Shoot me an email at tomgodfreyphoto@gmail.com or call / text me at (508)215-8808 before you get second thoughts! Just kidding. Once you pick a package and a location (that’s next) I will ask you to sign a cookie-cutter contract that defines the specifics of our session (date, time, location, what’s included - you know, contract stuff) and pay a non-refundable retainer of $100. This retainer not only reserves your session but also goes into the work that I do before a session. This includes prep things like communication, scouting if it is a new location to me, ensuring I have permits if needed, etc.. While this retainer is not refundable, we all know weather around here can get real weird. If we end up brutal heat that will make us both miserable, heavy fog that will make photos look like something out of a horror movie (and you are not into that vibe), rain or a significant threat of rain - then we might need to reschedule. If this happens, your retainer is transferred to the new date. Easy peasy.
Part II. Location, location, location… and time
I love New England. I lived in Seoul for a long time and even though they have the same four seasons that we have here I found myself missing that distinct New England vibe. There’s something to be said about spring blooms in a local park, night lights on a boardwalk next to a sandy beach in the summer, foliage and pumpkin patches in the fall, and… dirty slush and seasonal depression in the winter. What I am saying is that where you choose to do your session plays a huge role in the vibe they give off. Senior sessions in Downtown Worcester look totally different than senior sessions at Moore State Park. If you have a location that you want to shoot at then I would love to hear it. Athletic fields, boathouses, and even backyards are all great options if they mean something to you. If you want some suggestions, below are some very popular spots.
Moore State Park, Paxton.
Rustic and full of foliage with a great sunset at the back end of it. This place involves some walking but it is my most popular location. Professional photography is not allowed here over the weekends so this is only an option on weekdays.
Old Stone Church, West Boylston
This place is a regional landmark. The church itself is empty inside but makes a nice background. This is a small place so it makes for a convenient shoot with a rocky beach, tall grass, and foliage all within a few minutes walk. It is important to plan around the sun here - we don’t want to be shooting in midday as most of this area is exposed.
Dean Park, Shrewsbury
On a warm night, this is the social mecca of Shrewsbury. Dean Park has a lot of options - from ball fields to forest and pond backdrops. This place is gorgeous in the fall. I love shooting here. The only downside (and it isn’t much of one) is that it can get a bit crowded in the nice weather - see the “social mecca of Shrewsbury,” comment.
Downtown / City Hall, Worcester
If you like the idea of architecture and a little urban pop in your senior portraits then Downtown Worcester has a lot of options. I like to start at City Hall and make our way around the park and into some of the side streets for a bit of urban edge. I love the photos that come out of here but it’s important to remember that Worcester is a city with a city’s problems. While I have never, ever experienced any negative attention here, there is often the presence of individuals with nowhere else to go on the Worcester Common.
Other places that I like shooting at are:
Bancroft Tower, Worcester
Prospect Park, Shrewsbury
Shore Park, Worcester
Old Grist Mill, Sudbury
What time is best?
This is a great question. Photography is ALL lighting. You can photograph the most beautiful person on the planet in the most beautiful location but it will still look like a snapshot if you don’t understand how to work with light. I approach most senior session with the goal of using natural light only. I like the freedom that using only natural light gives and the ability for us to stop and take photos on a whim without me needing to set up. That being said, I do sometimes add external lighting and have all of my gear jammed in the trunk of my car.
Natural light portraits mean that there are definitely times of the day that are “better” to shoot than others. The last hour and change before sunset is called the “golden hour” for a reason. For one, the light takes on that golden hue that looks perfect in every photo. The light is also easier AND more fun to work with because it is directional. It is difficult to take a bad photo during golden hour so this is when I recommend senior sessions happen. Early mornings are also great but nobody ever wants to do those :)
While golden hour is my favorite time to shoot, the best time to shoot is actually whenever our session is. If you are only available in the middle of the day when the sun is harshest then this is when we will shoot and our photos will still look great. In the case of harsh sun we embrace the light and simply think a little bit more about angles. No biggie.