You do NOT have to go to your schools ‘official’ studio for your portraits!

Here is how yearbook pictures work: Yearbooks are published in the winter, but because there are so many graduates needing to get portraits made for the publications, your Session must happen sometime in the summer preceding the fall start of school. Each school has a different deadline. The picture must be delivered to the school–and you need to have the picture session 8 weeks prior to the deadline — allowing 4 weeks after you choose your portrait- to have the yearbook portraits printed to your yearbooks specifications. Most schools have an official yearbook studio. The School endorses the ‘official’ place in return for sport and activity photographic coverage during the school year.
Today’s Progressive View

Today’s high school senior portraits are much different. Schools may still have a contract photographer, but many allow more casual portraits to be submitted for inclusion in the yearbook. You can hire a professional photographer. Everyone has less than perfect skin! This is really no secret. So part of our normal portrait work at Anna Photography involves removing all skin blemishes for adults. So you do not have to worry about having zits!

You’ll want to check with your child’s school and get specific instructions for image submission. There will be certain rules on image size, posing, clothing allowed, or other restrictions. Be sure to get some details before you venture out to shoot your own portraits.

Please Talk to Your Kids First

The first thing you need to do is talk to your high school senior. They may have certain ideas about their picture. They may want that formal portrait only a professional studio can provide. Many local photographers will specialize in high school senior portraits some posing examples might be relaxed portraits with their guitar, sporting equipment, new car or other personal item makes for a memorable photo.

Location

If your child has a favorite local park or garden consider going there. Schedule Portraits early in the morning or late in the Day- Here in Austin during the summer- Mornings rule due to heat issues. The light casts more pleasing shadows and gives a warmer more golden glow to your photos. -For more trendy portraits- I like to take them around Austin – there are so many great locations here it really depends on their personality

Clothing
Keep it simple or what’s fashionable for the time- these will help in documenting “the times” and they will feel good about dressing in fashion. Bring several outfit changes! For The wrong clothing–clothing that shows off your upper arm, or that is light colored, or that has horizontal stripes–can make you look heavier than you are. This can be great if you are a wrestler, but not so great if you are not! Look for Color you feel good in

How to avoid Poses Look ‘Too Stiff’
One of the most common comments we hear from our clients is how natural the portraits look. Our seniors love how good they look, but they also love how “natural” they appear in the images.

At Photo Generations we allow enough time in the session for you to warm up and feel comfortable. This is important. After the first few pictures are made, you will realize it is very natural. And then you can experiment with different looks.
This is what makes the session so much fun for everyone! We get to play around a little bit! We have enough time to try serious looks, smiling looks, and relaxed poses. And the poses will look very natural. And if you blink for a picture or two, that is okay. I do not count the pictures we expose. We just make the images until we have the right mix of feelings and outfits and backgrounds.
See what a huge difference this will make in how you feel on the day of your photography? You’ll feel great. So You’ll be confident, and excited – not nervous and apprehensive.

A big difference between Photo Generations and official portrait studios is the amount of time and one-on-one attention you get here.

So What Should You Do Right Now?

You should call us right away to RESERVE YOUR EXCLUSIVE PORTRAIT SESSION TIME AT PHOTO GENERATIONS. CALL BEFORE WE fill the openings we have this summer for senior portraits. 512-699-2923

Children especially are not expected to have a lot of experience, so don’t be especially concerned if the biography is light on and try to hide the fact.
Whereas it’s optional for adults, you should include your child’s date of birth. Likewise, also include their MEAA number if they have one.
Often a child’s measurements are important in casting, so be sure to include them.
You may include drama classes and plays at school.
It’s OK if you include any semi-related experience – such as modelling, public speaking and filmmaking.
Often skills are of particular relevance when it comes to casting children, so mention all of your child’s skills.
If you are writing the biography for your child, involve them in the process.
As children grow very quickly, you’ll need to update their measurements regularly.
Use your contact phone number even if your child has their own phone.
If your child is a complete beginner you can dispense with the biography, but if you do, include all relevant information normally in the biography (such as measurements) in the cover letters.

Significant childhood years can really speed by. Around age 4 to 5, your child begins to lose some teeth and curls in the hair, changing that cherubic baby face into more mature sculpted facial features. As you tearfully leave them at school for the first time, they learn to assert more independence. Marking these last days of babyhood is one of the milestone portraits that should always be included in your family memories. This might be the time for a capturing the moments if their ” fantasy and imagination phase” – bring in their favorite costume or whatever marks their remarkable personality.

“Graduating” from elementary school certainly marks another significant time for your child. Personal appearance begins to take on more importance, and sports, hobbies and creative talents are emerging. getting ready for adolescent and pre-teen and puberty! This is another great opportunity for a Connections portrait study, while your child will still hug you.

Smiles: Babies smile most often in response to be being talked to and played with. A photographer who doesn’t recognize this or won’t interact with the baby won’t likely get a natural smile or expression. Smiles are not always important to have a beautiful portrait of your baby especially the new ones!

Poses: Whatever your baby does naturally will make the best poses for him. If he can’t yet sit up, he still does things that are natural. When on his back he probably waves his arms and kicks his legs or holds them up in the air. When he is on his tummy he may push up and look around. Lying on his stomach or his back would be natural poses for him. Also posing with Mom and Dad are great for showing scale and baby relaxes and allows for those great interaction photographs. As the grow and get more control of their bodies new posing can come into play. In any stage the poses should be natural and the child should have fun!

Props: Many photographers have props that they will use with your baby, but being able to use your own props will make the portraits more personal and special. They should be small and timeless if used at all.
Clothing: Being comfortable is KEY – solids or something not to busy as to not overpower the image and of course some birthday suite photos to get all those cute wrinkles and rolls

Location: ahh the location- well there are several options for the really young ones the studio or at home is the place – home offers comfort and homey feel while the studio offers controlled lighting and dramatic effects. Th older they get the more locations – playgrounds or parks for natural setting and exploring images, their home offers their own toys or the backyard
Time of Day: When baby is well rested and fed. you know them best! If in studio bring a snack or drink uncolored just incase of spills
Photographer: The most important element in getting a beautiful baby portrait is choosing the right photographer. Your photographer should truly love babies and children.

Anna Photography is an expert in photographing babies and children – I have one of my own that I adore!

Wanted: Model Students

Anna Photography is looking for 25 outgoing, enthusiastic students from Austin area high schools to act as model representatives. Students who are chosen will receive a free session as well as the chance to earn cash, credits toward portrait orders and incredible products.

Applicants must be committed to promoting senior portraits from Anna Photography. To assist you in securing referrals for our studio, you will receive a variety of custom, promotional materials to share with friends. Your promotional materials will feature images from your session, with an emphasis on the high-fashion look we are known for.

Interested students can contact us via email or by phone at 512-699-2923. To reach us via email, please click on “investment” and fill out the contact form.

check out Hilary’s session on the blog under Seniors