The 13th Official Random Discussion for TPBM (Back-To-School Edition)

A cultural question for my friends on the left of the pond.

What exactly are "Senior Pictures?" "Why are they taken and what are they used for?" "How long have they been around?"

I keep seeing examples posted and I can't work out what is going on, the people in them appear to range in age and their style seem to range from borderline pin up to just to cute for words.

I'll start.
Portraits done for the Sr year of high school. THey've been around a while :http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Senior_portrait​s but have gotten to be a big business the past years. I know Sr portrait photogs who charge as much as a wedding.

THe girls portraits have become more and more. . . um. . . "adult" with the current generations, but then, the new gen's moms have been buying them slutwear since they were kindergarteners.

This month's Rangefnder is dedicated to Sr Portraits.

I find it amazing, as a mom with friends who have kids doing their senior portraits now there are school who REQUIRE you use a big photofactory type of place where the smallest package you can get is around 400 dollars. Amazing.

Skrim17 wrote in post #6163651
I find it amazing, as a mom with friends who have kids doing their senior portraits now there are school who REQUIRE you use a big photofactory type of place where the smallest package you can get is around 400 dollars. Amazing.

It's all about the contract and the financial reward to the school for said contract.

Skrim17 wrote in post #6163651
Ithere are school who REQUIRE you use a big photofactory type of place where the smallest package you can get is around 400 dollars. Amazing.

So it is a requirement of the school, is that for the "yearbook?"

yes I believe so.

Skrim17 wrote in post #6163651
I find it amazing, as a mom with friends who have kids doing their senior portraits now there are school who REQUIRE you use a big photofactory type of place where the smallest package you can get is around 400 dollars. Amazing.

Now when I was a senior... 16 years ago, it was done in the summer time before your senior year, you had 1 outfit and one 'drape' formal type half dress thing (again mom and dad have those....) that was just a head shot. The headshot went into the year book then you could buy packages.... guys 'formal' was a tux/tie/jacket.

neil_r wrote in post #6163664
So it is a requirement of the school, is that for the "yearbook?"

Skrim17 wrote in post #6163666
yes I believe so.

This year I happened to see at one of our local malls a 'senior portrait' store front... it's the same company who does our preschool portraits. They had all sorts of props, backdrops and such... Until POTN I had never heard of non-school portrait folks doing senior pictures.... It's been interesting to see them.... But again I've not been a senior in 16 years hehehehe

wu_wei0 wrote in post #6163621
I'll start.
Portraits done for the Sr year of high school. THey've been around a while :http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Senior_portrait​s but have gotten to be a big business the past years. I know Sr portrait photogs who charge as much as a wedding.

THe girls portraits have become more and more. . . um. . . "adult" with the current generations, but then, the new gen's moms have been buying them slutwear since they were kindergarteners.

This month's Rangefnder is dedicated to Sr Portraits.

Well said, Wu, and I agree.

I remember when I was a senior... we were all herded up into the gym where we were given faux tux shirts and coats, told to comb our hair and sit down in front of a backdrop. *click* and you were shuffled off. My senior photo was taken with the aforementioned "tux" while I was also wearing a pair of shorts. I didn't know about Sr. pics until my kids were at that age.

misspix wrote in post #6163440
*smacks snake upside head*

Hey....yo...uncalled for.

mtnphtgrphr wrote in post #6163515
*giggles when the snake gets smacked*

I'll give ya something to giggle about....well, I'll be the one laughing really

wu_wei0 wrote in post #6163621
I'll start.
Portraits done for the Sr year of high school. THey've been around a while :http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Senior_portrait​s but have gotten to be a big business the past years. I know Sr portrait photogs who charge as much as a wedding.

THe girls portraits have become more and more. . . um. . . "adult" with the current generations, but then, the new gen's moms have been buying them slutwear since they were kindergarteners.

This month's Rangefnder is dedicated to Sr Portraits.

I never really thought about the attire being called slutwear, but now that I think about it....much of the clothing is leading that way for teens....and the parents buy it too.

neil_r wrote in post #6163664
So it is a requirement of the school, is that for the "yearbook?"

Only requirement for my school was that we go to the contracted portrait studio to have the official photo taken that would be put in the year book, tux for guys, formal dress for girls. After that, normal street clothes portraits were taken, but they cost way too much money. Enter the sole professional photog who typically cost less than the portrait and provided more variety than that of a studio...now I think it's leaning towards the studio when it comes to price being cheaper.

Wow, nice shots of the morning glory rant and balloons.

"slutwear" may be a bit harsh, but even a trip to the young girl's section in the local W@lm@rt shows a very limited selection of attire that is not provocative. The social aspects of clothing in popular culture was always a favorite topic of my students. It starts when they are just tiny kids, so yes-- parents are buying it for them. Of course, there isn't much else available.
As for Sr Portraits, I've seen sitting fees in the hundreds and packages in the thousands.

Miniflash wrote in post #6161775
Gmae friends ..runs into room all excited ..Guess what I found everything ..yipeeeeeeeeee doing happy girl dance ..tossing flower 's ..I found my photos

Yay Deb!

Miniflash wrote in post #6162018
Here are a couple more flowers for you all ..bbl ..have a great day!

Nice, erm, I feel warm:o

Becky N wrote in post #6163266
Morning Glory Rant:

[.

Love the bee

T.D. wrote in post #6163418
I need a Cat fix.

Nice shots!!

wu_wei0 wrote in post #6163621
I'll start.
Portraits done for the Sr year of high school. THey've been around a while :http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Senior_portrait​s but have gotten to be a big business the past years. I know Sr portrait photogs who charge as much as a wedding.

THe girls portraits have become more and more. . . um. . . "adult" with the current generations, but then, the new gen's moms have been buying them slutwear since they were kindergarteners.
This month's Rangefnder is dedicated to Sr Portraits.

wu_wei0 wrote in post #6163781
"slutwear" may be a bit harsh, but even a trip to the young girl's section in the local W@lm@rt shows a very limited selection of attire that is not provocative. The social aspects of clothing in popular culture was always a favorite topic of my students. It starts when they are just tiny kids, so yes-- parents are buying it for them. Of course, there isn't much else available.
As for Sr Portraits, I've seen sitting fees in the hundreds and packages in the thousands.

Last sumer I saw a very young girl (no more than 10 years old) wearing a tee shirt with the words "Porn Star" written on the front. Aparently it is a brand name. The girl was with her family, what her parents were thinking....???

G'd afternoon all

Beauty shots posted today!

Becky N wrote in post #6162725
Oops, it is one of those words that doesn't look right when spelled correctly, so I tried something else, it was the end of the day, I was in a hurry, I...I...I...

Sawwy I reek.

No you don't! It was just too funny and I was being silly

monkeygirl wrote in post #6163072
Lisa, hope you are feeling better.

thanks I am. Hopefully all well by tomorrow!

Thanks Zane. One more you might appreciate here: https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=6163032&pos​tcount=484