| In this article I hope to explain the myths surrounding | | | | 3) How many pictures do you take? |
| high school senior portraits and what every family | | | | 4) Do your prices include retouching |
| should know to prepare themselves and their rising | | | | 5) What type of enhancements do you provide? |
| senior for their portrait session. | | | | 6) How long is the session? |
| First of all, when are senior portraits generally taken? | | | | 7) Is a session fee required in advance and what is |
| Most of the time it is in the summer before their | | | | your cancellation policy? |
| senior year. Many photographers start to advertise in | | | | 8) Do you offer a senior ambassador program where |
| the spring to announce there upcoming services. In | | | | I can receive discounts? |
| Georgia, the last day of school is May 23. The busy | | | | Not all photographers are created equally. The senior |
| senior portrait season is in summer months between | | | | milestone is monumental and very important. Look |
| the last day of school and the the first day of school | | | | for a photographer that will create an experience and |
| in the fall. It is a short season so if you wait until the | | | | not just take boring pictures. I always encourage my |
| summer to book your appointment be prepared for | | | | clients to meet me in advance of the session. That |
| time slots that may not be convenient for you. Many | | | | way we will have already reached the comfort zone |
| photographers offer specials if you make your | | | | by the time we have the session. |
| appointment before summer. Teens do not change | | | | Pricing is also an important element in choosing a |
| that much in one or two months, so if you can swing | | | | photographer. The average price industry wide in the |
| getting in earlier, you could save money. | | | | country last year was $800 including the session fee |
| The choices for senior photographers vary in the | | | | and the portraits. It may go down slightly this year |
| state that you live in. If you live in a contract state | | | | because of the recession, however senior portraits is |
| (Georgia is one of them), the schools have a | | | | a big business. It is the 2nd largest event for |
| contract with a photography studio. It is mandatory | | | | photographers next to weddings. It is not just about |
| to see them for yearbook pictures but optional for | | | | taking a few pictures and printing a few 8 x 10's and |
| more casual poses. In this case you will need to see | | | | 5 x 7's anymore. The digital revolution has spawned |
| the school photographer for the head-shot in either | | | | many new exciting products that are all done in |
| the tuxedo (guys) or the drape (gals) for the | | | | Photoshop. Collages, multiple exposures, digital |
| yearbook. You may have them take casual photos or | | | | backgrounds, borders with swirls are just some of |
| you may go to another photography studio. | | | | the newer products available. |
| If you live in a contract state you have three | | | | Why are senior portraits so expensive? Just like |
| choices: | | | | most photography, you are not paying for a piece of |
| 1) Go to the school photographer for all the photos | | | | photographic paper. The value is in the image, the |
| 2) Go to the school photographer for the head-shot | | | | artistic creativity of the photographer and the |
| and another photographer for the casual photos. | | | | heirloom value of the image. It will last forever (or at |
| 3) Do nothing at all except for the head-shot | | | | least for the rest of your life) to enjoy and cherish. |
| Your school photographer will start to send postcards | | | | That is why it is so important to know and trust the |
| to you approximately one month before school gets | | | | photographer you are working with. Whoever you |
| out, so keep an eye out for it. Book with them, as | | | | use, make sure you are offered a 100% money |
| soon as you can even if it is only for a head-shot | | | | back guarantee in case you are not satisfied. |
| because the wait tends to get long. If you can book | | | | You will probably find smaller studios more pleasant |
| with them before the last day of school you will be | | | | to work with. There is more consistency in working |
| ahead of the game. | | | | with one or two people in a studio than a larger |
| If you do not live in a contract state you can choose | | | | staff. Lastly, many studios offer senior ambassador |
| any portrait photographer in your area. You will most | | | | roles as models and spokespersons for them. These |
| likely be flooded with postcards beginning in April. | | | | promotions generally start early in the spring before |
| What should you look for when choosing a | | | | the senior season begins to help jump-start the |
| photographer for senior portraits? I have been | | | | season. This is a good way to save money, as |
| photographing high school seniors for over 10 years | | | | discounts are generally applied. |
| and feel that uniqueness and creativity are essential. | | | | Besides being a professional photographer I am also a |
| Look at websites of photographers in your area for | | | | mother of two children ages 17 & 21. I know |
| poses and styles that you like. I also think that | | | | first hand how quickly the time goes and how soon |
| choices and options are important. You can ask the | | | | they grow from childhood to adolescents to young |
| photographer the following questions: | | | | adults. Our children's senior portraits are a constant |
| 1) How many clothing changes can I have? | | | | reminder of the tapestry of our lives. It is our |
| 2) Do you use any outdoor locations | | | | personal artwork that has meaning. |