If you want to capture a few new family photos before the year comes to a close, you need to decide on a location. And with the cooler weather setting in, a studio shoot seems a lot more appealing. Is it the right choice for your family photo session though?
Here’s why a studio is a great setting for your upcoming shoot:
- No need to reschedule. When you select an outdoor location, you need to be okay with the fact that the weather might change for the worse. When you schedule a studio session, there’s no need to worry about rescheduling.
- Warmer, comfortable conditions. Not everyone loves being out in the cold, which means a family photo session can quickly become unpleasant. With a studio session, everyone is warm, comfortable, and happy. The result is more photos and more time to experiment.
- It’s a contained environment. Shooting at an outdoor location makes it much harder to contain your children and your pets – this isn’t the case with a studio shoot. When you shoot in a studio, you get to capture more photos because your kids can’t go very far. What’s more, most studios have a few distractions such as toys available for children, allowing parents and older siblings to capture photos of their own.
- Flexible time options. When you shoot outside, you need to play along with the light. Shooting an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset is ideal. When you work in a studio, all the lighting you need is already there. This means that you have more options available to you in terms of the time of your session.
The good news is that families generally have fewer commitments and social engagements in winter, which leaves more time for a family photo session, even more so if you choose a studio setting.
Your friends are an integral part of your school years, so it only makes sense to take a few photos together to commemorate your senior year. An important part of planning your senior photo session is deciding on the poses and shots you would like to take. Your photographer will thank you too. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
1. The Inside Joke. If there’s one thing all friends share, it’s a few inside jokes. Grab a shot of you and your besties talking and laughing together. Aim to walk towards the camera so that the photographer can capture your faces and outfits.
2. The Line-Up. Including more than just one best friend in your senior photos? Get the girls to line up with their backs towards the camera, your arms around each other’s waists, and your legs criss crossed for a great group shot. For the guys, you can place your hands on each other’s shoulders.
3. The Gowns. The iconic gown should make it into at least a few of your best friend shots. Have everyone walk towards the camera, laughing and smiling. You can even throw a few balloons into the mix for some added character.
4. The Year. Find a way to highlight the current year in your senior photos. You and your bestie can hold up a blackboard or even write the year across your feet, which will face the camera.
5. The Fun Signs. On the topic of props, you can also incorporate some fun signs into a few of your shots. “Finally” and “We Did It!” are great options.
6. The Hug. There are few things that feel as good as a hug from your best friend, which is why this makes for such a great senior shot. Embrace your friend in a way that your photographer can see both your faces. Another option is to capture a side hug from the back.
7. The Team. Were you and your best friend a part of the same sports team? Bring some memorabilia into your shots to highlight this special link you both share.
8. The Hat Toss. If you will be wearing hats on graduation day, don’t forget to capture a photo where your friend group throws their hats into the air.
9. The Confetti Shot. Add a little sparkle to your senior photos with beautiful dresses and confetti. You can have the confetti falling down around you and your friends or blow it towards the camera.
10. The Other Perspective. Get a few shots from a completely different angle by lying down with your head next to your best friend’s. Your photographer can then capture your faces from above.
There are so many ways to capture senior photos with your best friends. If you need any extra inspiration, speak to your photographer or browse through their portfolio
When it’s so easy to take out your phone and take a good photo, you might be wondering whether it’s really necessary to hire a professional photographer for your senior photo session. Most smartphones have some impressive cameras and they’re great for capturing your everyday moments with friends and family. However, your phone won’t quite hit the mark for your senior portraits – here’s why.
- Your Photographer Has Experience. There are a number of elements that make for a good photo and a photographer knows how to bring them together. What’s more, they can help guide you during your senior shoot, which can be helpful if you’ve never posed for important photos before.
- They Know How to Use a Location to Their Advantage. The location of your senior shoot matters, as does the lighting. When you work with a professional photographer, you benefit from someone who knows how to use their surroundings to create beautiful images. Over and above that, your photographer can provide you with the best location options based on your vision for your shoot.
- They Have the Equipment. Your smartphone’s camera might be impressive, but it will never match up to professional cameras, lenses, and accessories. When you hire a professional senior photographer, you are also hiring their equipment. Plus, professional equipment is necessary for different scenarios, including bad weather and indoor shots. - Editing is a Part of the Package. It’s one thing to add a filter to a photo and another to edit it in a way that highlights all your best features at once. A professional photographer can edit your images in ways that are natural but eye-catching.
- They Bring an Artistic Eye. When you work with a professional senior photographer, their job is to bring your vision to life. However, you can also benefit from their artistic eye – you might end up using ideas you never even thought of.
In the end, this is a big milestone, one that deserves professional photos. Your senior photo session is an investment and an experience you won’t soon forget.
