Parent Info for Senior Portraits

If you are a parent of a Junior or Senior in high school, Congrats!  I’m sure you have lots of q’s about senior pictures, when to take them, where to take them, how the yearbook pictures work…so many questions!  I’ve put together a lil FAQ for parents so you can know how all this works!  And of course if you have more q’s just email me and I’ll be happy to answer any question whether it’s specific to my business or senior pictures in general.

What are Senior Portraits?

Senior portraits are pictures taken to commemorate high school and capture a bit of the seniors personality and interests as they are today.

When do people take Senior Portraits?

Senior portraits are taken the summer before Senior year or sometimes as late as the Fall of Senior year.  It depends on if you’d like your portrait to go in your school yearbook.  Schools have different deadlines and requirements.

When do people book their senior portrait photographer?

Generally its best to start looking the Spring of your Junior year and book your photographer before the end of the school year for best dates.

What should I look for in a senior portrait photographer?

Photography is subjective.  To figure out who will be best for you and your senior look at who your teens friends and classmates have chosen.  Search instagram for hashtags like #yourhighschool or #yourtownseniorphotographer. Who’s work stands out to you?  Who sounds like someone you’ll get along with.  And always research the photographer beyond social media….they should have more than a facebook or instagram page if they are really legit.  If possible ask for a consultation to meet before deciding.

How much will this cost?

This is what everyone wants to know right?  AGP has a $150 session fee to book your session.  This holds the date, includes a pre-shoot consultation, a blowout at Brow & Blowdry in Beaverton and my time and talent during the photo shoot. Prints and products are not included.  You’ll decide which Collection you’d like to purchase at your Gallery Reveal & Ordering Session about a week after your photoshoot.  There is a $500 minimum purchase per the contract and the average investment is $900-$1400.

Why are some photographers so expensive?

The important part is to understand how much you will value these images.  Look around your house and think about where you might put such a special portrait.  Your baby is about to go out into the world and you’ll want a gorgeous image of them on your walls when they are off at college.  These are also images you’re teen will have for a lifetime.  They’ll look back at these portraits when they turn 30, 40, 50 and beyond to remember their time in high school.

Where do people take senior portraits?

This is why a consultation is so important to have with your photographer.  At the consultation you should go over where you and your teen want portraits taken.  Do you want a big open field, a rustic barn, a river, flowers or maybe a more urban feel with glass buildings and cool textures in the background?  A good photographer will ask these questions to tailor the session for YOU…not just the same place they use for every senior.

Where NOT to take senior portraits?

There are 2 big NO-NO’s when it comes to senior portraits and every year I see seniors risking their lives with these two examples.  Please do not take pictures on railroad tracks or in the middle of a busy street.  These are both very unsafe environments that put both the senior and the photographer at risk.  (and they are super cliche and you aren’t cliche are you?)

How does the yearbook image work?

AGP takes care of the yearbook submission for you!  Each school has their own deadline and submission requirements.  I love taking care of this step for my clients.  We’ll decide on your yearbook image at your Gallery Reveal and Ordering Session and when I submit the image to your school I will cc you on all communications so you know it’s been submitted on time.

Have more Q’s?  

Shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to answer any question about my business or about senior portraits in general!  

 

email:  hello@annagraf.com  //  text:  503-720-1030  // contact page