Why Hire a Pro for My Senior Pictures?

There are a lot of myths surrounding getting your senior portraits done. Everything from it’s outdated and unnecessary, to you can only go to who your school suggests, to it’s too expensive. And honestly, you’re just not sure you should invest money in getting “pro” photos done. I mean, a lot of teens these days actually do photography as a hobby thanks to social media. Honestly, it feels like there’s probably one in every friend group. So you might ask, why should I hire a pro for my senior pictures? Let’s explore some of the myths surrounding senior portraits lately, and then talk about how hiring a pro might just be a good idea after all.

MYTH #1: Senior pictures aren’t really a thing anymore.

Posting professional photos of yourself on social media might not be the “thing” to do lately because you think it makes you look full of yourself, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want those photos later down the road. Senior portraits are like a rite of passage, and it may be the last time you actually have the chance to get really great photos done of yourself for a good long while (besides maybe a wedding). And this time in your life is one of those milestones that you want to remember, and be able to pass down to your kids. Hiring a pro that knows posing, styling, and how to make someone look their absolute best is at your advantage here. 

MYTH #2: All senior pictures look the same. Why should I hire a pro for my senior pictures then?

That depends entirely on the photographer you choose my friend. A professional usually knows how to make anyone look their best in any situation. Not just a model or two, or some friends they know well on their social media feeds. Finding a photographer that shows a person’s real personality, and highlight things they love, really makes photos stand out.

If you don’t want to like everyone else, look for a photographer who shows a lot of variety in their portfolio. A good photographer is excited to figure out how to make your creative ideas work. They also know how to visualize those ideas into reality. A photographer that specializes in senior photography is a huge plus here. It means they are used to clients wanting different things.

MYTH #3: I have to go to the school’s preferred photographer.

Not necessarily. It’s true, some schools do have contracts with photographers for their yearbook photos. This does not mean that you need to spend money on your individual session with a photographer that doesn’t represent your style. This only means that you need to go to school picture day to get that mugshot for the yearbook. If you’re going to spend money, do it with a photographer whose work you love. As well as the one you know can make you look and feel your best.

MYTH #4: It’s too expensive to hire a pro for my senior pictures. I can just have my friend take some photos.

Listen, you get what you pay for here. And it depends entirely on how much you value photography and the whole experience itself. I mean, let’s just take a look at prom for example. Some people want the whole nine yards and spend hundreds, even thousands on the perfect dress/tux, limo rental, fancy dinner with friends. Then it’s all gone the next morning. But some want and really value that experience. And that’s ok. They want the VIP experience and that matters more to them than anything else.

Asking yourself if getting photos done by a friend, or newbie photog vs whether you should hire a pro for my senior pictures for example, is asking yourself what you really value. If you just want social media images that’s one thing. But if you really value photography, the cost isn’t going to matter to you as much. As long as you are getting what you really want out of it is what matters. If you really want photos that represent you well, are done well, and make you look and feel awesome, go with a pro.

MYTH #5: I’m not confident or photogenic enough to get good photos.

Oh man, I feel this. I used to hate the way I looked in photos no matter who took them. Until I realized there really are wonderful souls out there that can make ANYONE look great. These people understand their client’s insecurities, and make them feel good about themselves. They are professional photographers because it really is a talent. It’s half artist, and half hype person. A good senior photographer really understands where you are coming from, and takes into account not only what you like most about yourself, but also what you’re insecure about. They literally can change the way you see yourself, and help you get out of your shell. They show off the amazing person you really are.

MYTH #6: I don’t need anything printed, or I can just go to Walgreens for prints if I decide to.

Oof. Print will never die no matter how much technology we have. I honestly believe this and if you have awesome photos done, it’s worth it to print them well so they stand up for years. Wal-greens is not going to cut it friends. Those prints are cheap for a reason. And truth be told, I don’t know if social media will be around in 10 years. I don’t know if the digital files we all use right now will still be formatted the same way and we can even open them in 10 years.

Also, at the end of the day, photography is art. It is meant to be printed to show it’s true beauty. There are so many mediums to view your art, and viewing those photos on a smartphone screen will never compare to how it looks on quality printed artwork like canvases, archival albums or metal prints. I believe in this so much that I actually specialize in custom artwork for your home. You’ll never regret getting artwork printed if it’s done really well.

So what do you think, are you hiring a pro for your senior pictures? Do you have an idea of what you should look for when hiring a photographer? If not, check out our latest Podcast for some of our top tips on what to look for when hiring a professional photographer.