Our new guide for 2026 senior grads is out!
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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.
2023 year-in-review
Our deepest gratitude goes to all the wonderful clients who made our business dreams come true this past year. Thank you to everyone in Snohomish County and beyond who chose us for their business, family, and senior grad portraits!
Happy New Year! We do this for you!
This family did **what* during daughter's grad portrait session?
Once in a lifetime, there comes a moment when a family realizes the time they've spent together under one roof is coming to an end. For the Johnsons, that moment arrived when their eldest daughter, Emily, was about to graduate from high school. Determined to seize this last, unique opportunity, they decided to do something extraordinary - they combined their family portrait with Emily's graduation session. What they ended up with were portraits Emily was proud to post on Senior Sunday and personalized family wall art of those precious fleeting years that still live on in their home to this day.
** While the names in this story were changed, the story these families all share is true. **
In the midst of the chaos and excitement that often surrounds the final year for a high school student, we recognize that this is also a major life transition for a family that should never be overlooked. For some parents, it is the hint of the end coming as the firstborn leads the way out of the nest, knowing the other children will soon follow. For other parents, this is the youngest child finally stepping into their own and marking the final chapter in the greatest family adventure.
Any moment now, the lives of everyone in your family are about to change and diverge. Your lives will weave and intersect as you go, but they will never come back together as they are here and now.
What will ground these beautiful connections you have shared?
What will remind each and every one of them about this special place and time?
What will point them home?
We understand that graduation is not just about the individual; it's about celebrating the love, support, and togetherness that brought each graduate to this point...it is about the family too! This is why Jared M. Burns Photography offers complimentary portrait sessions to the families of senior grads! This means, that when you book with us for a senior grad portrait session, we welcome you to reserve a little time for your family to have a portrait. For most families, 20-30 minutes is all it takes and there is no extra cost.
Achievements, milestones, and memories go hand-in-hand. This is why we believe art is prestigious, but family art is preeminent.
Here are the TWO things we cannot do for you. We cannot stop the rain from coming in the next 4-5 weeks and we cannot stop the kids from growing up fast. However, we can help you preserve this special moment if you act before this season comes to a close.
This is a moment your family can never return to.
Don't miss it.
We can help you keep it!
Top 10 Questions Parents of Senior Grads Ask
How far in advance should we book a session for our grad?
About 2+ months in advance during the busy summer season.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.