By Inna Sumra M. A. in Photography, Cr. Photog., M. Photog., ARPS (UK).
Consider the style of the professional senior photographer
With years of training and experience, senior photographers bring the expertise and style to senior portraits that make the time stand still. Their aim is to create the portraits that you and your family will enjoy for generations to come.
A well-qualified and experienced professional senior photographer can make all the difference. These beautiful senior pictures should stand the test of time. A good photographer should capture the personality of your senior. It’s well worth the investment to have senior photos you can proudly cherish forever.
Ask your senior for his or her ideas
Ask your senior for their ideas! Oftentimes, they have some really cool concepts lurking in their heads. Some of these ideas are often born online. Some are improvements based on the senior pictures of other people that they have seen. Most of the time these are just one or two concepts. But they have been nurturing these ideas for years. So, make sure to ask your senior. If you want to get your senior involved in his graduation pictures this is a must. And let him explain it to the photographer. It will help create a bond between the two.
Be careful about the influencers- do your own work.
Graduation is a time to celebrate but it’s important to be cautious when it comes to your graduation photography. Your family and friends may give you some advice on selecting the photographer but beware of the influencers. They are involved in the graduation photography space.
These classmates and social media personalities recommend certain photographers. They have been rewarded big times for doing that. Before committing to any graduation photography studio, make sure you do your research and select the one that best suits your needs.
Don’t let yourself get swayed by someone else’s endorsement – because some of them are influencers for a certain photographer.
Check Out the Photographer’s portfolio to get an idea of their work
If you’re looking for professional photography, checking out the photographer’s portfolio is a great way to get an idea of their work. You can you see the range of styles and capabilities. You can get a glimpse into the professional standards of the photographer.
You’ll quickly be able to tell whether their style matches your vision. If not, you should continue your hunt for the perfect fit. All in all, checking out a photographer’s portfolio is essential to any decision-making process when picking someone professional to capture memories or moments that will be with you forever.
Look at reviews online to get an idea of what others have experienced
Look at the reviews online to get an idea of what others have said. When it comes to senior pictures, you want the highest quality and best service. Checking out online reviews can give you an idea of what kind of experiences other people have had. Just do a search for senior pictures near me. You will immediately find out who the local photographers are. You can check their Google Reviews. Don’t take the decision lightly.
Schedule a pre-session consultation with the photographer
Senior portraits are an important milestone. And you want the best photographer to capture your personality. Scheduling a pre-session consultation with the photographer is a great way to get acquainted. At this time you can ask all the questions listed below.. During this meeting you should discuss:
- Cost of the session fee. Is the hair and makeup included in the session fee. Is any travel included in the session fee?
Ask for any extras included in the session fee, for example some photographers will photograph the mother and the senior without any extra sitting fee.
- Check out the cost of the products that they offer or the products that you have in mind for you. Check out any packages that will save you money. Ask them to show the samples of these prints, albums etc.
Ask them if these are photographic prints, press prints or inkjet prints. The answer to this will determine the time before the print fades.
- Ask about the digital images. Are any of the digital images included or do you have to pay for them? What happens if you have a disaster and lose the prints. How long the keep the digital files?
3.How much do they charge if the photographer has to travel a significant distance from their studio?
4.Discuss the locations that you have in mind and the locations that photographer has in mind. Compare that to their work. Some photographers only use a few locations. If you have favorite location discuss it with them.
- Discuss things like wardrobe, props, pose ideas etc.
- If the photographer uses an elaborate outdoor lighting, they may need to carry a generator etc. Ask them if they will need an assistant and if there is a charge for it?
- Ask them about the payment and delivery times.
- Ask anything else that you have in mind.
This way you will have all the information before you book the photographer and you will avoid any surprises.
Prepare ahead of time – prep Your teenager for the photoshoot
As a parent, help your teenager get the clothing outfits and accessories ready. Ideally photographer should have seen the wardrobe already and suggested any changes. Certain clothing items look good visually but they do not look good in the camera. Save the disappointment. Show it to the photographer before day of your senior photoshoot.
Lot the times the senior would own a vehicle. Sometimes the senior would want to get a photograph with a family car. Make sure it is washed and dry. It will look great and hopefully; it will not require photoshop to get rid of dirt from the car. That will save you money.
All of this will give you and your senior more confidence. The happiness and confidence will show in the photographs.
Showing off their best Side – tips on posing and expressions
Senior photos are the chance to show off your best side—not just your face, but your unique style and personality! Before your session starts, think about what makes you who you are. Remember that when you are in front of the camera.
Smiling is great, but don’t be afraid to have fun with different expressions. Your photographer will guide you. Last but not least—dress sharp, relax and let your amazing self shine.
Some seniors are shy in front of the parents. Walk away if you need to. Go and get a cup of coffee. Senior pictures should be all about showing off in the best light possible but some of them cannot relax when the parent is watching or directing the photoshoot.
Setting the mood to capture it all
Senior pictures can sometimes be stressful for teens, so it’s important to create an atmosphere that suits their personality.
It is essential to set the mood and have fun in front of the camera, but also remember that you are there to get the job done. You want your teen to look back on their senior photos and feel proud and confident in the way they were portrayed.
Put together a mix of music styles which they enjoy, bring props which reflect what makes them unique, or incorporate favorite colors or elements into their outfit to make sure their senior picture session captures who they really are.
With four masters’ degrees in photography, Inna has achieved photographic excellence.. She is a trained photography judge with over 20 years of experience as a full-time photographer. Her work has been shown on the cover of PPA Magazine (Professional Photographers of America) and featured in the PPA Magazine. Her role in teaching photography varies from being a keynote speaker in Louisiana to teaching in Minnesota photography conventions. She has won dozens of national and international awards. You can her awards and recognitions by clicking here.
You can contact Inna by clicking here.
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