Gotta admit, I am kind of out of the loop on what kids do these days. What is the deal with all these "senior" pictures?
To me, senior pictures were when you went to the school picked professional photography studio, wore a suit and tie (or black dress for girls) and had a picture taken for the yearbook (bryn-allen, olan mills, etc)
What is with these new "senior" pictures, and for how long has this stuff been going on?
I've had a couple of kids graduate in the past few years, and the senior shots go this way: take a variety of shots in a variety of settings with a variety of poses. The customer purchases several of these non-traditional shots, but selects a more traditional one for the yearbook. At least that's what I'm witnessing.
Senior Pictures are their last pictures before they move on into adulthood ... they can express themselves as they are at this time in their lives, incorporate their hobbies, their style ... pretty much almost anything goes ... it is their documentation of their teen years
as stated above, they'll always choose one "traditional" for the school yearbook, and some more for their families, and the rest are for friends
traditionally the non-traditional photos incorporate hobbies and special interests. It's not at all out of the norm for the "senior high student" to have photos with their letterman jacket on... with a basketball (if they are a star player) - maybe even with their 1965 Mustang Convertible. Fluffy the dog (or another favorite pet of greater or equal value) sometimes makes it in the one of the "poses".
Maybe a band instrument... or a surfboard. Funny cultural clothes of the time. In my Senior year (1992) it was Weight lifting pants with the thick elastic waist band. You know what I'm talking about... MC Hammer made them popular! anyone else 34 that remembers that?
I had this one studio pose in a crazy hawaiian shirt.. I still laugh at it today! I was such a tool.... oh who am I kidding... some things change and some things stay the same..
Around here is all over the place. Most, almost all, want out of the studio shots with various settings. Funny thing is, if the senior doesn't have their own photo for the yearbook the school pic will be used. All the seniors I've shot picked non-traditional ( not studio type ) photos for their yearbook photo. I've looked at the yearbooks and it seems to be the norm--non traditional that is.
troy12n wrote:
Hmm, thanks for the clarification. When did kids have the option of what picture they could use in the yearbook? Must be a recent thing.
No, not at all really. I graduated in 1999 from a small farm school in Wisconsin. Usually the student would select a photo that best represents them to have put into the year book. Yes, I have seen a few with their flannel jackets on all the way to suit and tie. I wore a subdued sweater
Senior photos done by their choice of professional photo studio has been going on at least 14 years in my area.
I graduated high school in 1980 - we did senior photos. A few casual location shots, and a couple of formal shots in studio with musical instruments, etc. The families bought little bifolds with 2 or 3 photos, and extra prints for relatives.
This past year, my daughter graduated high school and I was amazed at the senior photo industry. First off, I was not real big on spending $400 to $800 on photos when it was my biggest source of hobby fun, so I talked her into letting me shoot the first cut. She was pleased with the results and ended up doing what all of her friends were doing - posting many of them on Facebook. Then, they all comment on each others photos and ask, "Who took your pictures" and scramble to go get their own "cool" pictures taken. If I had the inkling, even my very amateur approach could have landed me about 10 shoots last year from her network of friends.
So, this year (maybe one year late!) I decided to dedicate more time to learning the ins and outs of senior photos and am marketing myself primarily through word of mouth to high school kids. I have a lot of exposure by shoting the HS softball team the last 3 years, as well as being the marching band video (with lots of stills!) making guy. I just completed my first paid gig and have two more potential clients in the wings.
From what I have read - the key is to get shots that make the mom AND the kid happy. She will buy, and they will post on Facebook. Also, the kids love having stacks of wallets to hand out at graduation parties in the spring - but by then, they have all had them taken of course.
From there, referrals should start coming in (at least I hope so!). My goal is rather modest - shoot maybe 10 to 12 this year, and earn enough money to pay off a couple of studio lights I just purchased as well as upgrade my camera to a 5D. (I've got the glass, just need a more reliable camera body...)
Anyway, I just wanted to chime in to mention that the kids do a LOT of your marketing for you from what I have seen. My son is a sophomore so I am building momentum towards his senior year since I know tons of those kids.
Judging from what I've seen lately for a typical 'Senior' photo shoot you'll need one brick wall, one phallic symbol (a tree trunk seems popular), a railway track or a farm and some sporting or musical items. Styling is optional but a bright and colorful 80s casual look seems to go down well. Oh, and don't forget you'll also need a spotty teen
In all seriousness, there are some very good portrait photographers working that particular market and I'm constantly amazed at the quality of their images given the unique problems they must face with a shoot of that type.
" and scramble to go get their own "cool" pictures taken. If I had the inkling, even my very amateur approach could have landed me about 10 shoots last year from her network of friends.