| A good high school senior portrait is a precious | | | | Look around your house and yard. You may have |
| memory. Back in the late seventies when I was | | | | the perfect spot for a portrait. Be sure to watch for |
| graduating high school everyone was forced to go to | | | | clutter in the background. Move furniture or other |
| the contracted studio. All the guys wore the same | | | | items in order to create that perfect setting. |
| style tux with a ruffled shirt and bow tie. All the gals | | | | If your child has a favorite local park or garden |
| wore a simple black dress and held a single rose. | | | | consider going there. Don't go in the middle of the |
| These weren't senior portraits. They were mug | | | | day when the light is harsh. Light from straight above |
| shots. | | | | causes dark 'raccoon eyes'. Early morning or late in |
| Today's Progressive View | | | | the day is better. The light casts more pleasing |
| Today's high school senior portraits are much | | | | shadows and gives a warmer more golden glow to |
| different. Schools may still have a contract | | | | your photos. |
| photographer, but many allow more casual portraits | | | | If midday is your only option you can place your child |
| to be submitted for inclusion in the yearbook. You | | | | in the shade under a tree or building roof line. Change |
| can hire a professional photographer or shoot them | | | | your White Balance setting to Shade or your photos |
| yourself. If you're inclined to do it yourself read on. | | | | will turn out too blue. Be sure to keep them toward |
| You'll want to check with your child's school and get | | | | the edge of the light and shadow. Using a simple |
| specific instructions for image submission. There will | | | | reflector (white foam core board or commercially |
| be certain rules on image size, posing, clothing | | | | produced reflector) can help fill in shadows and make |
| allowed, or other restrictions. Be sure to get some | | | | the colors pop. |
| details before you venture out to shoot your own | | | | Equipment |
| portraits. | | | | Generally speaking, a P&S camera won't give |
| Please Talk to Your Kids First | | | | you the best results. A digital SLR with a slight |
| The first thing you need to do is talk to your high | | | | telephoto lens and external flash will provide optimum |
| school senior. They may have certain ideas about | | | | results and give you the most flexibility. Using a |
| their picture. They may want that formal portrait only | | | | telephoto between 70mm and 105mm will help |
| a professional studio can provide. Many local | | | | separate your subject from the background. |
| photographers will specialize in high school senior | | | | A flash will help fill in shadows when shooting |
| portraits. | | | | outdoors or potentially provide all the light if shooting |
| If your senior is willing to let Mom or Dad do the | | | | indoors. Bounce the light from your flash off the |
| portrait be sure to discuss every aspect with them. | | | | ceiling or side wall for softer more pleasing light. This |
| You may want to shoot a certain style of portrait, | | | | may take some experimentation if you've not tried it |
| but make sure you shoot it their way too. Relaxed | | | | before. |
| portraits with their guitar, sporting equipment, new | | | | Armed with the right equipment and techniques you |
| car or other personal item makes for a memorable | | | | can produce a great portrait of your high school |
| photo. | | | | senior. Of course, a happy smiling face will help too. |
| Location | | | | |