The marquee in front of our local portrait studio reads: “Last call for senior shots!”
Where did the summer go?
If your child is entering his senior year in high school, then formal portraits are just one more thing you likely have on your to-do list… or more accurately, your to-pay-for list.
Senior portraits aren’t cheap. What’s more, they are a necessity, as they appear in the school’s yearbook, and mark a major milestone in your student’s academic career.
So how can you ensure that you are getting your money’s worth?
Here are some tips to share with your incoming 12th grader before he poses for a professional photographer:
Attitude: Some students would rather have blood drawn than sit through an entire portrait session. However, attitude makes a huge difference when it comes to taking frame worthy shots. The more comfortable and relaxed your child is going into the shoot, the better the images will be.
Practice: It may sound corny, but it pays to practice posing and smiling prior to a photo shoot. Have your child exercise his facial muscles, and then get to work experimenting with different smiles and expressions in front of a mirror. You might even consider playing photographer by snapping some practice shots at home, then going through the pics with your child to determine which poses look best.
Act Natural: Your body language speaks volumes about your comfort level. If you your child is stiff and rigid, his picture will be severely compromised. Remind your son or daughter to think happy thoughts and interact with the photographer. Most professional shooters will suggest different poses and encourage your child to have fun during the session. If your child is really shy in front of the camera, consider having him pose with a prop, such as a favorite musical instrument if he is in band, a football if he is a star athlete or pom poms if she is a cheerleader.
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