Results for tag "senior-portrait"

Senior Model 2012: Mari

Here’s an eye-opener for ya.  We photographed Mari’s older sister, Michelle, for her senior portraits some 13 years ago.  That’s right… now we’ve come full circle with another great family.  But how I met Mari is kind of funny, too.  Michelle told me to say “hi” to her sister Mari for her when I was going to take Jefferson High School softball pictures last year.  I went up to Mari and said “your sister said to say ‘hi’.” After a bit of a cross look, Mari (who is also nearly six feet tall) asks “how do you know my sister?” <gulp>

Recently, during one of Mari’s sessions, we agreed I was an okay guy, despite me being a “near-creeper” when we first met.  Can’t wait to show you more from Mari’s sessions, but for now we have this little intro.

For more information about senior portraits, please visit our senior website.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Senior Models 2012: Kayla

I guess you could say that I met Kayla first as a dancer, and have known her for awhile.  But Kayla moved on to other interests, which includes cheerleading for Martinsburg High School.  She has a persistent smile, so I’m sure that helps.

One thing that is familiar among many of this year’s models is height.  Kayla comes in at just under six feet tall, which always makes for an interesting opportunity in street-level shooting.  In the studio, we just made her sit down. 🙂

You will be able to see more of Kayla’s (and all our senior models) images on our Facebook page.  You can learn more about our senior portraits on our website.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Senior Portraits: A Primer

This is the first in a series of articles about senior portraits.  Not how to photograph them, market them or even get into the business of them.  But more along the lines of education for parents and students alike who want to go into the senior portrait season with a bit more savvy & educated about the many choices they have available.

Let’s start out with what exactly senior portraits are.

In short, they are thought of by many as a rite of passage.  The “it’s my turn” phenomenon started somewhere along the way, giving young people an opportunity to give family and friends a picture of themselves, maybe as a celebration of the graduation prospect, but more likely a final “farewell” to the days of high school and a “hello” to the adulthood which follows.

Whatever it may mean to you, this area is passionate about senior portraits.  Not all areas of the country are.  Some portrait photographers in other states routinely ask the question “what are senior portraits?”  After a brief description, they say “kids will never go for that, much less the parents.”  Around here, participation in senior portraits is pretty healthy (as in, there are lots of people doing it).

High schools typically engage a photography company to take senior portraits.  The photography company is responsible for scheduling the seniors to have their portraits taken (usually at the school) during a 2-3 week period during the summer between their junior and senior year.  While students are always encouraged and compelled to participate, it is not a requirement.  Many schools require that the school photographer take their yearbook photo, due mostly to the desire to avoid a multitude of different backgrounds and dress codes.  Just for the record, we comply with the background and dress code requirements for Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan county seniors.  The reason why the schools select a single photographer is because the photographer makes a deal to donate back up to 50% of their sales to the school.  This usually helps fund the production of the yearbook, and keeps the individual cost of yearbook sales down.

Students who want to comply with the school’s mandated dress code and background for their yearbook photo should either have their yearbook photo taken at the school (they usually do it at no charge), or select an area photographer who meets the requirements and can do it for them.  We do not charge to take the yearbook photo, as long as you are also having other pictures done with us.  We do charge for taking and submitting the yearbook photo if you are having no other photos taken.

After all is said and done, a senior (and parent, most likely) will look at the photos, the packages, and their picture needs and decide what to order.  There is such a variety of photographic products now, I’m going to hold off on that for another installment.

So, that’s the basics.  There’s more to come.  Next up: Choices.

Enhanced by Zemanta