Senior Picture

[nycks1]

Do you think I can make it as a senior portrait photograper? comments are welcome.
To the pro's out there I would like to know what kind of packages and pricing that you use.

[nycks1]

And these.

[flyfishnj]

Really like the top left

[BrandonSi]

Nice job! I like 1 & 2, I'm not sure I would consider #3 appropriate for a senior picture but to each their own, and the idea on #4 is neat, except I would swap your grayscale section and the color section. How large are these? A big part of shooting senior pictures is getting them printed, too ;)

I don't do this personally, but from experience most studios sell by the "sheet", being 1 8x10, 2 5x7's, 4 4x5's, etc.. I've seen prices go anywhere from $15-$40 a sheet, and sitting fees from $0 to $75.

[Spots]

Great work! As a yearbook advisor and teacher and from experience, I can tell you that pose #3 would not be considered appropriate and would have many parents up in arms (in my uptight neck of the woods anyway). IMHO shot #2 should have the whole head in the frame, but that's just me. The other shots are wonderful. The concept of pose #1 was a big seller with my senior's parents.


Just a couple of things for your consideration:



You have a wonderful model here, but most seniors are not as self-assured, confident and photogenic as this young man seems to be so you are going to have to have very strong post processing (I hesitate to say Photoshop because you might not use it) skills in order to have repeat business. Are these skills on an equal parr for both males and females?


In the photos you have here you have plenty of post processing (#4 especially) will you have time to do so much when you have, for instance, 100 seniors included in your contract? Basically, everything you do needs to be automated I would think. PP can really affect your workflow if you have a one person operation.

Though I am not a pro photographer, I have been involved in senior portraits and with the photographers for 20 something years. I can only say I hope you know what you are getting into--- you definitely have the talent but do you have the fortitude to go into business where you will be dealing with unreasonable, and demanding parents who expect miracles and not to mention teenagers who don't really want to have their photos taken so they act like utter a$$es?



Anyway, talent you have so go for it! Good job, better than many I've seen.

Spots
who's glad retirement is finally here

[nycks1]

Thank you very much Spot for the good feedback. And the model is my nephew and I did something special for him, I don't do that sort of thing for other people so don't worry I do know what you mean. I have do a few seniors last year but not have done any this year, hoping to get some next year. I live in Omaha,Ne and alot of seniors wait until they go back to school in Aug. and get their pictures done. Mybe i will pick up some later this year. But if u have some suggestion on pricing and packages I would really like to hear it.

[sorashell]

Sorry, I don't have any advice for you, just wanted to tell you how much I like what you did with the b&w/color picture. I post on a scrapbooking board and "scraplifted" you. ;) I hope you don't mind... here's what I did with it~ http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=90562&cat=500&ppuser=13218 Thanks for the idea!

[nycks1]

Nice, I like it.

[PhotosGuy]

I like what you've done & agree that if you're using PS, learn how to make an Action! ;) ...but do you have the fortitude to go into business where you will be dealing with unreasonable, and demanding parents who expect miracles and not to mention teenagers who don't really want to have their photos taken so they act like utter a$es? :D:D:D Read some of Bloo's wedding threads! Have an "Agreement" for them to sign & learn to say "Take it or leave it"! (But that's just me talking!) ;)