Why are senior pictures important? We get asked this question fairly often.. What’s the purpose? Why make such an investment?
Portrait – A Definition
Merriam Webster portrait noun por·trait | \ ˈpȯr-trət , -ˌtrāt \ 1: PICTURE especially : a pictorial representation of a person usually showing the face 2: a sculptured figure : BUST 3: a graphic portrayal in words
Why are senior pictures important?
What is the purpose of a senior picture? After some thought, we realized that when potential clients initially call to book a photography session for their high school senior, they still aren't sure WHY they are going through such effort—an effort which by the way ends in a super fun experience for everyone—but let me tell you, it’s not really for announcements, small gift prints, or digital pictures to share online.
According to Beth S. Gersh-Nesic, Ph.D., “The purpose of a portrait is to memorialize an image of someone for the future.”
We like this definition of portrait. As photographers, it serves as our purpose; documenting people and events for future evidence; recording history for future generations. It’s like saying, “Hi, I was here. I existed. I lived. This is who I was…who I am.” Please don’t get pictures just to keep up with the Joneses.
Keep reading to see the top 5 reasons why senior pictures are important.
IT’S A MILESTONE YEAR
Senior year is a milestone year. For some, you didn’t even think you would make it! Maybe the ride was bumpy because of external forces; maybe you spent your child’s early years battling illness or attitude with them and seeing them cross that finish line is a considerable achievement. Maybe you had a super easy experience. However you got here, you will walk down memory lane; you will wonder how time escaped you; you will laugh, worry, cry, laugh some more, and cry again before it’s all over and in the end, you will high-five yourself or your spouse that you did your job as a parent! You did it!
SHOW OFF THEIR PERSONALITY
Senior pictures are more than celebrating a milestone. Having a personalized photo session reveals their personality. It took a long time for your high school senior to find their path, and you want to remember who they are as a person. We can’t tell you how many times parents tell me that their senior’s facial expressions they’ve seen over and over were perfectly captured. Those expressions truly memorialize our young adults and help us reminisce about special moments we’ve shared throughout their lives.
The mom of the kid in the ice skating picture told me that while her favorite pictures of him were not the ones we did on the ice, his smile was the winning factor. It’s where he was happiest during his session. And we captured it!
SHOWCASE THEIR INTERESTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
They got to this point by trying different extracurricular activities and hobbies which helped them to become who they are now. We always suggest to bring something along to showcase your senior’s interests. Maybe they like to read books, play instruments, are active in sports, maybe they sing or love art! You can even bring pets. Whatever they like to do, make sure to capture those accomplishments so they can show their kids how cool they were in high school.
GIFT THEM PROFESSIONAL PORTRAITS
It’s always good to have a great professional portrait, like the yearbook picture, only better. Some of your seniors will be rushing for fraternities or sororities and they will need those professional pictures. As they move on through their college careers and graduate, the gift of professional portraits will definitely help them. A great headshot is a must to use for LinkedIn and social media accounts. College goes by even faster than high school and they will be looking for work.
CREATE MEMENTOS
Lastly, having mementos that serve as beautiful reminders of your young adult, while they lived in your home, is the absolute most important of all these reasons. As we said earlier, you are experiencing many “lasts” during senior year. Please don’t have any regrets; beautiful professional portraits that hang on your walls, and sit in frames sprinkled around your home will fill your heart with joy long after they have left your nest. Seeing their faces as you walk through your home will go a very long way to filling the void of not having them there with you daily.
So, Why Are Senior Photos Important? Well, for all of these reasons and because it’s probably the last professional pictures your seniors will have before their wedding day. We hope that is a ways away and personally love the idea of having my beautiful senior on the walls of our home until it’s updated to a wedding picture or new family picture.
If you’d like to see some of what AFH Media, LLC can offer you for your child’s senior session, take a look at the session blogs below!
If you’re ready to schedule your senior’s session, reach out today. Spring sessions are filling up fast.