For most schools around Tampa Bay the school contracts a company to take everyone’s photo and send it to the yearbook for consistency and ease. So, does that mean you shouldn’t worry about booking your own senior photo shoot? Heck no!
There is a common misconception that the school photographer is the only way to go for senior photos. I've had many parents and seniors (more than I can count) tell me they felt obligated to do/buy things they didn't want to with the school photographer. And that’s not right.
So let's clear up any confusion for parents, seniors and rising seniors on the school contracted senior photos and why you may want to still book a custom senior shoot with a photographer who specializes in senior portraits.
Do I have to have photos done with the school photographer?
If you want the photo in the yearbook, then yes. Why? Usually to make the yearbook staff/advisor’s lives easier - it streamlines the process to make sure they receive your senior photo. The school photographer needs to take the drape/suit photo for consistency. (it’s mostly still important because of yearbook competition)
But, that’s it, that's ALL you need to do - the yearbook photo. The school’s studio may try to convince you that they are your ONLY option but you aren't (or shouldn’t be) required to purchase anything except the yearbook photo sitting fee.
Some local contract studios offer additional set ups, and maybe even some outdoor ‘next to a tree’ photos. These companies will absolutely offer packages and make every attempt to upsell you at every turn - but you DON’T have to buy anything unless you really want to. It’s important to note, the ONLY photography you NEED from them is the main one for the yearbook.
So why shouldn’t we just do the school pics and be done with it?
While you can go this route and it may make sense for some people, also ask yourself if this milestone is of any significance to you or your child? Senior portraits are one of the few purchases you’ll make in a lifetime that increase in value as decades pass. (The grandfather of one of my seniors actually told me this at their graduation party) And unlike Weddings, which will be the next big photographic event, high school graduation is a one time rite of passage - there are no divorces or vow renewals.
Cookie cutter school photos can be a decent way to document year to year; senior year is different. It means more. They are transforming from child to adult. They’re coming into their own. You want their portraits to express all the facets of their personality, their style and their interests - everything that makes them THEM. And most parents and seniors want a more personal experience to soak in these last moments together and truly celebrate their graduation year.
For any of the school photos you’ve purchased in the past… do you love them because it’s your kiddo’s adorable face or because they are actually really well crafted photographs that capture their personality and convey emotion?
But what’s the difference between the school photographer and aN independent photographer?
The contracted school photographer is like the McDonald’s drive thru.
These companies have created a formulated recipe for mass production and hire random inexperienced people to crank the machine. They go from backdrop to backdrop, posing everyone in the same stale poses, telling them to “smile nice’ and quickly moving on to the next person. These days, some even offer going right outside the building or on location, so you think they are going to be better. (if you pay extra… but if you're paying extra you might as well get them done with someone who will take the time to get to know you)
Truth is, these companies are still churning out thousands of seniors a week from all over the Tampa Bay Area so it’s impossible to get the level of attention you deserve. Everyone gets the same backgrounds, the same posing, the same forced smiles. They may try to convince you to pay for their big “custom” package but you’re only adding more backdrops and outfits, maybe another location and there's more to senior portraits than that.
With an independent senior photographer you get a personal experience, better quality portraits and hopefully custom crafted keepsakes and wall art to cultivate self-worth and confidence.
SIDE NOTE: there’s also a wide range of different types of independent senior photographers such as ones who quickly do the shoot and send you the digital files that you’ll never end up printing and will eventually become inaccessible and obsolete. If the school photographer is like the McDonald’s drive thru, these ‘shoot and burn’ independent photographers are like an all you can eat buffet - they offer a wide variety of options at a lower cost, but the experience often lacks the personalized touch, high class service and attention to detail. You get what you pay for: a large quantity of photos for a low cost but it can feel overwhelming and impersonal, and you’re left to ‘do-it-yourself’ for putting it all together.
I can’t speak for all independent senior photographers but I can tell you how I am different:
16 years of specializing in Senior portraits (meaning I only work with teens/seniors)
collaboration and deep dive on who the senior is and what you want your photos to convey
a luxury level of service (right down to hanging your wall portraits for you so you can focus on enjoying senior year together!)
planning tools and guidance to help you prepare everything from clothes to nails to eyebrows
flexible location options and guidance
camera ready professional hair and makeup for a stress-free photo day
coaching and direction during the shoot for poses that speak to personality and evoke emotion
a relaxed (and fun!) environment and a safe space for seniors to be themselves
in person guidance with selecting images and choosing custom crafted keepsakes with live design
exquisite heirloom quality products that won’t get lost in a drawer or become obsolete on the internet
an experience focused on boosting confidence through portraits and self worth through wall art.
All of this comes together to make an amazing transformative experience - one that my clients often say is a favorite of their senior year. (a few girls have even said their entire life!! 😍)
The bottom line is…
You’ll be required to have yearbook photos taken, but not required to purchase them. You are free to go somewhere else for the photos you want to share with friends and family and have printed to look back on decades later.
If you or your teen want more of an individual experience that results in more than just a picture of what they look like at this age, you’re gonna want to do more than just run through the McDonald’s drive thru. You’ll definitely want to hire a photographer who specializes in senior photos to make your child feel like more than just an appointment on a schedule.
If this sounds like exactly what you want for senior year, I would LOVE to connect to create your dream shoot experience! Just click the button to get started!
________
Theresa Marie is a senior portrait photographer based out Tampa Bay, Florida photographing teens from all over the Tampa Bay area - Clearwater, St. Pete, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Odessa, Lutz, Wesley Chapel, even Valrico, Orlando and beyond. Her goal is to create a transformative experience and stunning portraits so that high school seniors feel empowered and so that their parents can fight empty nest syndrome with custom artwork to decorate their homes with love. Theresa Marie is now booking for the rising graduating class! To learn more about the transformative Theresa Marie senior experience , click here.
