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SENIORPICTURESONLINE.COM
Full of Senior Picture Ideas, Senior Picture Tips, Ways to save on Senior Pictures, and How to find the best Senior Photographer in your area.
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Reply to a Mom's Email
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"Dear R.B.,
My daughter hasn't even finished with her Junior year and she's already bugging me about her senior pictures. When do these kids get them taken? This is my first Senior. I have been researching online about High School Senior Pictures for a little while now and haven't found any site that really explains this. Any answer is appreciated."- Tracey C., Champagne IL
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Tracy,
Every region in the US seems to have it's own "tradition". I have friends on the east coast who don't start shooting senior pictures until the fall, but many areas are already photographing 2009 graduates by mid-May prior to Graduation of the previous class. I'm guessing that your daughter already has a place in mind and it's probably because of seeing all her Senior 2008 friends' pictures. Once a student's Junior year is over, they consider themselves officially "Seniors" and it's great that she's excited about it. Early Summer is a great time to get outdoor portraits, too. The weather is generally cooler than July and August and the flowers and grass haven't been beat down by the summer heat yet. Also, if your new Senior has summer job, school, or travel commitments - it's good to get her Senior Pictures out of the way before school starts. Most photography studios offer "early bird" discounts for summer sessions and orders. Thanks for contacting us. I hope that helps you!- R. B., Senior Pictures Online . com
Happy Mothers Day
Search for the right photographer or studio in your area by using our senior picture search site.
Smiling for Senior Pictures: Do or Don't?
Posing for Senior Pictures: Valuable Advice
DO THIS DURING YOUR SENIOR PICTURE APPOINTMENT!
Always listen to what the photographer tells you. But, if you are really uncomfortable with a pose, POLITELY let your photographer know how you feel, a truly great photographer will listen. Remember, if your photographer is a trained professional, and he/she will not appreciate "UGH, this feels dumb" or "Eew, I hate that" comments. Negativity will show up in your images and will come back to haunt you when it's time to order your images... Believe me, photographers will not budge an inch on prices or give "extra perks" when it's time to sit down at the bargaining table and your senior has been less than pleasant to work with. Besides, a professional photographer will know what looks good and what doesn't, but they should be receptive to your ideas, too.
Avoid doing this during your Senior Pictures
Don’t hold your breath during a pose. Stay relaxed and your photos will look as if you just happened to be sitting this way when the photographer walked up.
In most pose situations you want your arms, legs, wrists, etc. slightly bent unless you are directed to do otherwise Most people don’t stand or sit with their arms and legs completely stiff. A good point to remember is, if it will bend, bend it.
Posing Tips for Senior Pictures
When preparing for your photo session, there are numerous steps you can take to ensure you are comfortable while posing and your photos will look more natural. Get Posing Ideas From Your Favorite Magazines a few days before you head to your photographer's studio, pick at least ten or twelve poses you really like from fashion or teen magazines, or poses you’ve seen from your friend's sessions. Practice your poses in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable and have the confidence of knowing you look great.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Nobody chooses their hairstylist based on price alone, so why do that with a photographer? Prices vary by market, quality, and level of experience. Here is what you should expect to pay on national average - $1500. Your area will vary. Most families who put forth effort to better their senior picture experience will spend more on average. Mostly because the results are far superior. Here is a simple suggestion. Listen to what your students friends say. Teenagers know who has got the best style from seeing friends photographs over the term of their high school career. Word of mouth is usually correct when it comes to senior portraits. Don't call around either. Photographers are very guarded about their prices and you may set yourself up for a disappointment when you finally arrive at the studio and see their "real" prices. My free advice is to set up a visit to the studio with your student. If you like what you see and hear, book ASAP to make sure you get the time you need. SEE MY POST ON PRICES & POLICIES
Meet your Photographer
Meet with and Gain a Rapport with Your Photographer Early:
Always work with a photographer you feel you can trust. This will make communication between the two of you easier and give you the confidence to express your own ideas. I suggest making a non-photography appointment to meet your photographer before your session. Some studios call this a consultation and may incur a small fee, but it will be worth it. If your studio cannot offer a consultation with a specific photographer, a visit to the studio to see how things look is good too. Look for things like: "Is the lobby/waiting area clean?", "Do the other customers seem happy/dissatisfied?", "Is the Staff polite?". This may seem like you're looking for a new doctor, but these are little things that can tell a lot about the company's people and they way they take care of things. :)
About Photo Studio Policies
First: * READ ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHERS PRICES AND POLICIES THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO YOUR SESSION OR BOOKING! * This will avoid costly mistakes, hidden fees, and additional charges. Never assume anything! Not all studios work the same way. Things to watch for: Retakes & Refund policies, Retouching, Shipping & Delivery fees, Proofing & Deposits, Session fees apply to order, and so on... Note that Session fees are a legitimate fee by most pro studios and usually do not apply to your order. If you find a studio who will apply the amount, don't instantly assume it's a better deal (especially if their photography isn't up to par). You get what you pay for... :)