Disclosed herein are photosensitizer particle contrast agents suitable for medical imaging and/or photodynamic therapy. The photosensitizer particle contrast agent has a shell and a core encased by the shell. The shell consists essentially of multiple photosensitizer conjugates. Each photosensitizer conjugate consists of a photosensitizer and at least one biodegradable polymer covalently bound to the photosensitizer. According to certain examples, the core has an echogenic contrast-enhancing material loaded therein. In alternative examples, the photosensitizer of at least one of the multiple photosensitizer conjugates has a magnetic contrast-enhancing agent, e.g., a paramagnetic ion, chelated thereto. Also disclosed herein are methods for medical imaging which use imaging compositions containing the photosensitizer particle contrast agents taught in the present disclosure.