So why hire a pro for senior grad portraits?

This isn't just any senior year; it's THEIR year.

It's the culmination of experiences that have shaped your child into the incredible young person they are today! It's a year filled with hopes, dreams, and the promise of a bright future. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and capturing it properly isn't just about a few good photos – it's about creating a timeless heirloom, a tangible piece of their extraordinary life event.

Sure, a friend or family member could snap a few pictures, but will they truly capture the essence of this special time?

A professional photographer brings years of experience to the table, ensuring every shot is a masterpiece. Imagine them weaving magic with natural light, finding that perfect location, and composing images that tell your senior's story, even fixing the light when conditions go awry.

Pro photographers aren't just picture-takers; we're master artisans with a camera, we are pose-correctors and expression coaches. We'll prep your grad to look their best before shooting ever begins. We'll observe and learn what stances and poses work best for them during the shoot and avoid competing image elements between the background, clothing, and lighting as we go. Our minds are always turning, always analyzing, and always improving everything about the scene inside the frame...even when we don't show it.

But it doesn't stop there.

We'll be by your side during the selection process, helping you choose the perfect photographs for albums, graduation cards, and more. There are many mistakes to avoid after the fact that the "digital-only photographers" don't know how to look out for. Our expertise extends far beyond the click of a shutter. We understand the art of printing, ensuring you receive stunning high-quality keepsakes that will grace your walls and social media for years to come. Full-service experience means we are working to create amazing art for you from the first phone call through the relationship building along the way and to the very last product delivery. 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Don't settle for anything less than extraordinary.

More times than I can count now, the phone rings, and the parent of a senior grad student starts the conversation with, "So we went with the $500 photographer for my daughter's portraits..." and you can guess the rest of the story.

There are NO un-dos.

 You CAN avoid the cost of reshoots.

 WE CAN HELP!

Professional GuySenior Grad Portrait - Can you spot how we applied our knowledge of the color wheel to make him pop?

10 things to talk about now with your 2025 grad!

1. When is the yearbook image due at your school?

   • Don't count on the schools to get that information out to you in time! They are busy and overwhelmed and most fall short!

   • We track the yearbook deadlines for you here: YEARBOOK DEADLINES

   • Planning example: If yearbook submissions are due October 1st at your students school, you should have the grad's shoot completed by August 1st. (That is weeks away right now!)

2. Which photographer do you feel comfortable with?

   • Does your grad like and connect with the photographer?

   • Would their artistic style represent your grad and their personality? SEE OUR STYLE HERE

   • If these things click, you will have much better success with the final portraits. The only way to truly know is through an in-person meeting.

3. What is the budget?

   • Some parents choose to invest as much as $7000 and some invest less than $2000. Which is right for you?

   • When it comes to these memories, carefully weigh "the value" vs. "the cost."

   • Knowing your goals ahead of time can save you some frustration later. Not all photographers are created equal.

4. Where will the portraits take place?

   • Do you have access to any exclusive locations? If so, it might make the portraits extra unique!

   • Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we have countless ideas and can make some suggestions you will love once we get to know your grad!

5. How many outfit changes will you want?

   • There is no right or wrong answer. You need only consider that the more time spent changing clothes will result in less time photographing...or that more time will need to be added to cover the additional outfit changes.

   • We generally recommend 2-3 outfits in a 2-hour sitting.

6. Are we going to include family portraits at the same time?

   • Some senior grads want to make the portrait session all about them. I get it and they deserve it!

   • If your grad is open to family portraits, we'd love to accommodate that too! We would then recommend splitting the session 1.5 hours for the grad and 30 minutes for the family.

7. Will the photographer allow us to have custom control over the products we want?

   • I can't speak for all photographers, but our desire is for you to have full control. We have abandoned packages because we never want you to feel locked into something you don't like or want.

   • When it comes to our way of doing things, you only have to pay for the images you truly love on the products you want for your home.

8. What is our backup plan if the weather goes bad? (And sometimes it does!)

   • With us, we've already got your backup plan! Our business model is not to shoot on volume, cramming people into every possible time slot, which allows us lots of flexibility in a weather event!

9. But what about hair and makeup services?

   • If you have a hair and makeup artist, that's great!

   • If you don't have one, we can get you access to our hair and makeup artist! She is one of the best around and only works with professional photographers.

10. Is the photographer dependable?

    • If you have a photographer in mind, check out their reviews on Google. Read the good review. Read the bad reviews too and note how the photographer responded to the complaints to try and make things right. A little advanced research can save you from a costly pitfall!

    • Talk to them on the phone or meet with them in person. So much can be learned through a little relationship.

    • When it comes to our work, we guarantee it! (Who else does that these days?) It means, if you don't love the final portraits, you don't have to pay for them!

Does this feel like a lot to worry about? It is a lot. We know how much planning and preparation it takes to get your kid through the biggest year of their life, we do this all the time. If we can lift this one burden for you and make it easy, we are eager to help! Let's connect!!

Get the ball rolling early and ride the momentum across the finish line later!

Or call us on the phone

206.659.7468

(Remember to leave us a message, we might be out photographing!)

10 Mistakes Seniors Make with Portraits

You want your senior images to be amazing, right? We see mistakes happen often with seniors, many of which can totally ruin your shoot. One of the best way to avoid things you shouldn’t do is by going with a professional photographer who has experience and ability to walk you through the entire senior portrait process.

Here are the 10 biggies to avoid...

1. Failing to make a careful choice on your photographer: Not all senior photographers are equal. Many may have a style that doesn’t match yours so start by reviewing portfolios from several area photographers. Consider if the photographer has credibility in your community because there may be a reason people are going to them or avoiding them altogether. Meeting with your photographer in person beforehand is a must! There is no better way to learn if you truly click with them. When you feel the photographer fit is right and they understand your desires for the shoot, you will be able to collaborate together and create amazing images you will love! 

2. Not taking a little time to plan the photo session: This is another reason it is critical to have a planning session with your photographer in advance. Without preparation, the images will feature less of your personality. You might get some nice shots, but it is truly a shame when they do not capture anything about your senior or high school experience.

3. Not giving proper consideration to theme and location: The theme and location should fit your personality and interests. It should be an extension of who you are in the images. It is a key part of setting a unique tone and feel in portraits. Don’t just go to the local park or that same location you know all the other seniors are using. Work with your photographer to find something really special.

4. Choosing friend or family member to take your photos: Your senior photography session is likely the second most important photography event in your life (Your future wedding being #1). Risking your images to someone who is just learning the camera is too great. Professionals know how to guide you through the complete process, how to pose you in flattering ways, and create beautifully lit and composed images you are proud to display. Look back through last year’s yearbook and see if you can spot who skipped out on a real photographer.

5. Doing your own makeup: This is a time to trust your makeup to an artist, someone who is experienced and refined. Makeup for a photo shoot is different than what you wear every day. If the product or contouring is wrong, you may not like the way it looks in the final images

6. Leaving hair to the last minute: As you already know, hair can make or break your look. Most guys and girls look best about two weeks after a haircut when it doesn’t look too crisp. If you will be going to a stylist before the session, go with a look that is consistent with who you are, but with a little extra life. If you don’t normally wear your hair up, don’t go with up.

7. Not taking your portraits seriously: This most often applies to the guys who are just going along with portraits to appease mom. The truth is, these images will likely represent you for the next several years. What you put into your portrait experience is what you will get out of it. Well-seasoned photographers already know most guys feel a little uncomfortable getting their photos done, but it is their job to help put you at ease and forget your nerves so you look cool.

8. Taking your portrait too seriously: When you are trying too hard, it shows up in photos. Be flexible with your photographer and willing to try things that seem a little different. The more you relax and go with it, the more natural your images will look. You even have permission to be silly and have fun with it!

9. Choosing the wrong clothes: Sometimes what we feel looks good in the real world simply does not work in the 2D world of the camera. We have seen seniors go with clothes they thought they wanted (regardless of our recommendations) and later dismiss a whole selection of images because they didn’t like how they looked in that outfit. Your photographer should be able to guide you through clothing choices that helps you look your best while preserving your personal style.

10. Using the same photographer everyone else does: Each photographer has a distinct style. While the photographer that the other seniors are using might be good, your photos might start to look like everyone else’s. A different photographer can bring a new and unique look to your images that stands out among all the rest.

Jared M. Burns Photography is one of the best-recognized photography brands in Snohomish. We also provide portraits to seniors at Snohomish High School, Glacier Peak High School, Woodinville High School, Monroe High School, Marysville Getchell High School, Lake Stevens High School, and Henry M Jackson High School. See if our portfolio fits your style!

-JMB