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.

3 things you can do to begin getting ready for your Tampa Bay senior photos

If you’re a rising high school senior who’s thinking about your upcoming senior pictures, or even an underclassmen who just can’t wait, you don’t have to wait to begin getting ready for an epic senior photo experience! Here’s 3 things you can do right now to get a head start on senior pictures:

1. Start dreaming it up ✨

Raise your hand if you've ever dreamed about your wedding details...

Well, your senior shoot is a celebration of ONLY you and so it absolutely deserves the same attention, don’t you think?! Now is the time to create your senior shoot Pinterest board.

If you don't know what you want your photos to look like, start searching Pinterest for photoshoot looks and see what images pull you in the most. You can discover a lot about your aesthetic that you may not have even considered before.

I walk you through exactly what to pin to your board after you've booked a senior shoot with me for your senior photos in Tampa Bay, but here’s a quick tip: try to avoid looking at other senior photos and instead look at editorial photoshoots by magazines, fashion, makeup, decorating styles and favorite travel locations.

2. Start drinking your water 💧

They say it takes 21 days to make a habit, so if you're not already, get in the habit of staying extra hydrated. Water can do wonders for your body and it will help keep your skin glowing and healthy.

Carry your water bottle with you everywhere you go and set a goal to need to refill it as many times as it takes to drink half your body weight in water. (in addition to compensating for sweating, and coffee, tea, and soda intake)

This is something you'll want to stay consistent with since your body being fully hydrated is something that happens in advance not just as you are drinking the water.

3. Begin thinking about how you want to use your senior photos 🖼

Few people think beyond the actual photos. It's SO much more than just getting the pictures taken. There are so many things you can do with your senior photos aside from just posting them on the internet to get lost in a sea of social media posts.

Will you have a senior dedication page in the yearbook? Will mom and dad be missing you after you move away and could use an easily enjoyable display on the wall? Will you want to be able to flip through an album with your grandchildren to show them how they look (and dress) just like you when you were their age?

And do you want to DIY all of this or have someone make sure it gets done for you while you are enjoying the last days of your childhood? All of these are things you'll want to have in mind when you are deciding when to schedule and who you will be scheduling them with.

Planning ahead is the key to amazing senior photos. The earlier you start preparing the less stressful your experience will be and the better the final results.

These are just 3 easy things you can do right now to begin the planning process but there are so many more things that come with getting prepped for your big moment. If you'd like someone to walk you through every step, I got you!

I photograph teens from all over the Tampa Bay area - Clearwater, St. Pete, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Odessa, Lutz, Wesley Chapel, even Valrico, Lithia and Seffner and I would LOVE to work with you too to create your dream shoot experience! Just click the button below and we can set up a consult to chat!