For the class of 2012, senior year is fast approaching. There will be many decision made in these next few months, not least of which should be WHO will take your senior portraits? This and many other questions should command careful consideration and not be solely driven by cost. So, how do you choose your senior portrait photographer? Very carefully!
The following is an excerpt from an article written by Katharina Smith, Studio Director of Photographic Essays, a studio in Woodinville WA. ”Look at photographs from last year’s seniors – on their ads, in their studios, and in person. Ask your friends with past seniors if you can look at their portraits. The way you see other kids in their work should make them look natural, not overly posed.
While your photographer should be on the “same page” as you and your child, most photographers won’t have a complete vision until they’re in the session, working one on one with the senior, alone. That’s when real personality and real involvement comes out.
If the photographer is good at what they do, they will be very personable and someone you feel at ease with quickly… and that will translate to real expressions.
Pricing shouldn’t be the deciding factor, because you get what you pay for. Yes, in this digital age, its easy to get things quickly and cheaply, but that’s exactly what you’ll be getting — quick cheap work. A real artist knows the value of their skill, and their prices will reflect that.
This is one of the only times your child will have special portraits made of just them – its worth every cent you put into it, because you will never have this time back and you will always want to remember it.”
As stated above, you shouldn’t trust your senior portraits to anyone with a nice digital camera. Save for and make the investment in quality, custom photography. You will be glad you did.
