When you are scheduling your senior portraits! Remember this post from a couple of weeks ago, with the graphic that showed the differences between custom senior portraits and school package portraits? We looked at the 1st difference, unique clothing options (click here to go to that post). Now it's time to look at the 2nd difference: scheduling!
Typically, when schools contract with photography companies for underclass and senior portraits, the seniors are given 2 days in the summer to schedule an appt. It's usually a 1/2 hr. - 1 hr. on a weekday. And, honestly, between summer jobs, sports and vacations, the times are inconvenient. Many seniors miss their scheduled times (did I mention that the photography company will tell you the date and time they've scheduled for you - helpful, huh.). And, then there is a mad dash for a make-up session.
I know this to be true because I was the yearbook adviser. I contracted the photography company and scheduled the auditorium for 2 days in August. I sent the reminders to the seniors and then wondered why half of the class didn't show up. And, because sometimes I'm not too quick on the uptake, it took me several years to figure out that if seniors want pictures in the summer, they will schedule them! And, if they schedule them, it will be when it's convenient for them! And, sometimes summer is not convenient!
This is why it's so important to look for a custom senior photographer! This is not your driver's license photo or your school ID. This is serious because it will be on your mom's wall for eternity (I know - that picture of me with the 100% humidity hairdo? Still. on. the. wall.) Every date you bring home will see it. Someday, your children will stare at it.
If you're not a morning person, how do you think your 8am session will go? What if you have field hockey practice until 4 and your appt. is at 4:30? Yea, thought so.
How about a fall Saturday, 11am at a local park? Perfect.
A Sunday evening in May? Done.
A weekday afternoon is more convenient for you? We can do that!
The point is, when you choose the photographer, you also get to choose the time and date. You can never be too early - spring of your junior year; or, too late - spring of your senior year! Even January of your senior year can be just the right time if that's when you want it to be!
Now is the right time to schedule your portraits for whenever you want to have them taken!