Kicking off the senior experience
Senior portraits are one of the first things on your to-do list. For most schools, portraits need to be taken in the summer before the senior year begins so that they make it into the yearbook.

Some schools let you find your own photographer, while others contract with a specific company to do the yearbook and take all the senior pictures. Be sure to check with your school about their senior portrait policy.

If your school lets you select your own photographer, then you will probably receive flyers from local photographers. There are the high priced independent photographers, camera store photo studios and discount store studios to choose from.

Start a folder of photographers, and potential settings where you would like your student to be photographed. Talk to other parents with older kids about who they recommend.

Schedule early and keep your appointment!
If your school’s tradition is to contract with one company, look for a notice from the school during the summer. The notice tells you when and where to go for your photography session. If you miss it, you’ll have to reschedule for a later date.

Parents and seniors beware! Often your first appointment is your only chance to get a photo before they are due for the yearbook.

Research your photography options and make your appointment early. Many photographers offer early bird discounts. In some parts of the country, senior photos are taken over the summer prior to the start of senior year. When comparing prices, go beyond the sitting fee. The cost to print the photographs can vary widely.

Managing the expense
Having your senior’s photograph taken is a fun, but potentially expensive experience. Beyond the photo for the yearbook, you may purchase additional photos from the photographer to share with friends and family.

Here’s a few factors to help you decide on a ballpark cost for your senior portraits:

• It helps to prepare a list of people you plan to give photographs before you decide how many prints to order. It is customary to give one 2” x 3” photo to fellow students, and larger sizes to family members.
• Discourage seniors from giving several poses to the same person – or costs will sky rocket.
• Do you want to send a photo with your graduation announcements? Order them now. It will cost a lot more to order them later.

Picture-perfect settings
Some students have their photograph taken in several different settings - indoor and out, with a pet, with a soccer ball, etc. Photographers often have great suggestions that work well. Many students wear different outfits. Talk to your senior ahead of time and go shopping if needed.

Remember you will need one pose for the yearbook. Does your school require a specific style? If not, what format will fit best? Look at your student’s yearbook from last year to see what the seniors traditionally do.

Ask about keeping proofs and be sure you understand the copyright laws that restrict you from reproducing professionally taken photos yourself. Specifically, the right to reproduce a professionally taken photo is the property of the photographer. If you want to do anything special with your senior photo (copy them on to a banner, a cake, a party invitation) you must have a copyright release. Ask the photographer about their policy prior hiring them.