What's the worst month to schedule your portraits?

August. Why August? Because August has the very best weather. Everyone else wants the August dates for themselves!

Picture this...

There you are on a leisurely late July afternoon, lounging by the pool, sipping on lemonade, when it occurs that you still need to get your family portraits or senior grad portraits done within the next month...August.

You open your calendar while calling your photographer, and suddenly find yourself in the middle of a battlefield, with every available photography date fiercely contested. News flies in from the front. The 17th and 24th have fallen, and the 31st is missing in action. Victory over the 10th could be yours, but you can't rally the troops in time.

 It's a showdown of epic proportions as families, couples, and high school students scramble to secure that coveted slot amidst the August chaos. Who knew that the very month synonymous with end-of-the-season relaxation would become a battleground for portrait bookings?

Am I exaggerating? Okay, maybe a little...but not as much as you might think!

Here's the point: If you're planning to capture those precious memories against the backdrop of August's sun-kissed summer days, it's time to channel your inner strategist, rally the troops, and plan ahead. In the unpredictable world of portrait photography, timing truly is everything. 

Disclaimer: No clients were harmed in the making of this image. Never would we ask our clients to pose for a photograph with real dragons or deranged warrior elves. 

Top 10 Questions Parents of Senior Grads Ask

1. How far in advance should we book a session for our grad?

   • About 2+ months in advance during the busy summer season.

2. What should we consider when selecting a senior grad photographer?

   • Does your grad like and connect with the photographer? Would the style represent them? If these things click, you will have much better success with the final portraits. The only way to find out is through an in-person meeting.

3. How much?

   • How much for what? No, seriously. Everyone's goals for the end results are as different as their grad student is unique. Some parents invest around $1000 and some invest $7000 or more. Know your end goals. Know what these memories are worth to you. With further conversation and understanding, your photographer can guide you to an idea of what to expect cost-wise.

4. Can we request a specific location for the senior grad photo shoot and are there travel costs?

   • Yes, we love to work with you whenever we can! Travel to nearby locations is included. There will be normal expenses for places a little further out. Travel inside the US is included with our Epic Destination options.

5. How many outfit changes are typically allowed during the session?

   • It is not about "what is allowed" as much as it is about how much time you want in front of the camera versus time changing. We generally recommend 2-3 outfits for a 2-hour session.

6. Can we include family members or friends in some of the senior grad photos?

   • Yes! We now allow parents to designate a portion of their grad sitting for family or friends if they like. Typically that looks like 90 minutes dedicated to the grad and 30 minutes to the family or friend.

7. Can we customize our package with prints or albums from the photographer?

   • Yes, we abandoned traditional "set packages" a long time ago. We are a full-service provider, meaning prints, albums, and framed artwork, and are all available to you. It is all about complete solutions for our clients. We also provide other amazing products you may not have seen yet and cannot get access to anywhere else! Our goal is that you purchase the images you love on the products you truly want in your home.

8. Are digital copies of the photos included, or do we need to purchase them separately?

   • We are very proud of the fact that we are among the few "Full Service" portrait providers in our region, meaning people choose us for the amazing art pieces we create for their walls or as keepsakes. We do appreciate our client's desire to show how proud they are of their senior grad online so we always provide complimentary social media-sized files of every image you order. You can also purchase full-resolution, fully-edited digital images, however, if you are looking for all the digital images for free, that is not what we do here.

9. What happens if the weather is bad on the scheduled day of the senior grad photo shoot?

   • If the weather looks bad, we will reach out to you in advance with some backup options at no charge.

10. Do you provide hair and makeup services?

    • Absolutely! And we have access to TWO of the best makeup artist pros in the area!! They are highly sought-after among photographers for their knowledge of how makeup must integrate with lighting and camera. Makeup makes a difference!

Did we miss something you want to know more about? Ask us! We are happy to help answer any questions you have. One of our deepest desires is that you understand the process with us before making any decisions.

Call us at 206.659.7468

Oh no, my senior grad and I do not agree on portraits....

Does this story sound a little familiar to you? Sasha, a junior in high school, is looking forward to the big 2023-2024 graduation year. A huge part of the year will be the grad portrait session and she is really excited about it! Her mom really is excited too but finds her ideas are shut down or met with opposition. Sasha believes her mom only wants a bunch of "the boring stuff." Mom thinks Sasha's ideas are "a bit much" and miss the point a little. Sasha only wants to post the images to social media for Senior Sunday, but Mom is thinking a little more long-term and wants something beautiful for the home. The discussions are going nowhere. 

 CONGRATULATIONS, you are officially the parent of a senior grad!!

 Although both are seeking to commemorate the upcoming milestone, the goals are distinctly separate. Let's compare...

MOM'S GOALS

• Capture the life milestone

• Look like the competent and capable young adult they are becoming

• Create a cohesive look that would fit in the home 

• Proud to represent them at their best

• A reminder of their belonging to this family

• Feel affirmed for all that went into raising them (fist-bump from me)

SENIOR GRAD'S GOALS

• Showcase individuality

• Look cool and different

• Highlight personal talents and interests

• Emphasize personal style

• Use props and outfits to reflect their personal brand

• Feel seen

Despite these differences, both the senior grad student and parent CAN achieve their own results with the help of a professional photographer who understands their unique needs. With 13 years of experience, and clients with diverse interests and from varying backgrounds, we know how to provide customized solutions to meet opposing desires.

We believe everyone deserves to have a portrait that represents them in the best possible way. We also know what it feels like to be a parent. We will work with you both to create the perfect portraits. With a professional, you can achieve the goals for each and have lasting memories everyone will cherish for years to come!

Here are the secret 1-2-3 steps to success...

1. Talk to your senior grad and affirm their desires for the portraits

2. See what they think of our grad guide with tons of tips, style, location, and clothing ideas (Get a PDF you can send to their phone)

3. Meet with us before you commit to anything, but let your grad drive the discussion (Remember, we know what you want too!)

Booking with an experienced photographer also means you avoid getting stuck for life with portraits that met only one person's goals, or worse, no one's goals.

Let's do this!

So, why not book a consultation with us today and let us help you capture this life milestone the right way? We guarantee we will create beautiful portraits that you will both be proud to show off. If you have doubts, ask us about our brand promise!