Senior Portraits - What to Expect
Senior Portraits
Senior year will be full of emotions! And let's face it, there is still no instruction manual for these things. So I am going to help take some of the confusion out of at least the Senior Portrait part.
You may have already seen that area high schools are gearing up for Senior Yearbook photos and some were taken over the summer. If you haven't, be sure to search Facebook and join the Parents of Seniors group that your school has set up. There is usually tons of information posted on those pages.
Senior Portraits are an investment that will stay in your family a very long time and an investment you should carefully consider rather than think about as an afterthought.
Do I have to order through the School Picture Company?
The short answer, HECK NO.
The long answer; to get your picture in the yearbook you do have to have that company take your picture, but you don't have to purchase them. The school uses one photographer to keep all the images in the yearbook the same. That's right, the same. But you can actually choose any photographer you want for your own senior portraits. So do your research and find one that best suits your needs and has the experience to give you the quality you deserve. Make your Senior Portraits about you! At Courtney Mitchell Photography every session is a custom experience that begins with a free in person consultation so that we can design your session. No cookie cutter sets here!
How much does it cost?
Every photographer prices their services and products differently and they range from $$ to $$$$$.
Sessions here begin at $125 and after that, you are able to fully customize your own collection of products. You do this by choosing two or more products to build the package that best suits your family's needs. These can be a combination of Wall Portraits, Albums, Gift Prints and Digital Images. For starting prices, please visit my how to book page.
And remember, things of value always cost a little more. This is a once in a lifetime experience. This is not the time to go with the cheapest photographer.
What should I look for when comparing photographers?
Do they have experience and are they really a professional photographer? You need to make sure that your photographer knows what they are doing so that they can capture the best images of you. Are the photographers you choosing from educated in their field or did they just get a camera for their birthday? Would you let someone cut your hair just because they have a nice pair of scissors? A camera is only as good as its operator.
Do all of their pictures look the same? Same backgrounds, same poses, same hat, like only the face changed?
Is there light in the subjects eyes? Is there light at all? There should be both light and shadows.
Do they only have certain locations they shoot or will they customize a session for you?
Do their Senior Portraits have personality and creativity?
When is the best time to take Senior Portraits?
The absolute best time is the Summer before your Senior Year but absolutely before the Spring of your Senior Year! Everyone says it because it is true, Senior Year will fly by! The great thing about scheduling early is that you guarantee a spot with Courtney Mitchell Photography. If you wait until Spring, chances are we will be booked.
What if I don't know what I want for my Senior Portraits?
No problem! Let us help you figure it out. At Courtney Mitchell Photography we always offer a free in person consultation where Courtney will personally guide you and help you determine what the best solution is to your needs. The options are limitless. With a fully dedicated portrait studio in downtown Sherman, Courtney is able to work rain or shine.
Each Senior Session at Courtney Mitchell Photography is custom designed to each senior. We work with his/her talents and interests to give their session personal touches. Courtney is highly trained in many different lighting styles and techniques which help make her Senior Sessions stand out from each other. From classic studio lighting and glamour lighting to using lights outdoors Courtney will ensure your portraits are highlighting your Senior.