Senior Portraits - Advice on Getting Great Shots

Senior Specials:
All sessions include retouching of chosen poses and include your yearbook portrait for the school
Retainers are required to be PAID IN ADVANCE at time of booking, no exceptions
We have a strict NO REFUND policy.
If you can not make your appointment, please give us AT LEAST 72 hours notice to re-schedule without an additional fee.
Portrait enlargement prices are a la carté as described HERE

$275 Image Design Portrait
Includes the assistance of a hair and makeup stylist.
1-3 indoor & 1-2 outdoor/personality clothing changes.
Outdoor poses dependant on weather conditions.

$125 Portrait Excursion
1-3 indoor & 1-2 outdoor/personality clothing changes.
Outdoor poses dependant on weather conditions.

$75 Standard Session
1-3 indoor clothing & personality changes.

$95 Just Shoot Me Session
Designed for individuals who only need a basic headshot for school, promotion, etc.
Includes image CD and 2-5x7 portraits from one image..

Why Choose Apogee Studios
Your senior portraits should be a reflection of your individual style and personality. At Apogee Studios, we make it our goal to get to know you and find out what your portrait goals are. Some students are interested in just getting their headshot for the yearbook and maybe a few images for friends and family, others want multiple clothing and background changes, outdoor shots and "model portfolio" style shots. We custom tailor the sitting to meet the needs of the client. We are not a fast food studio. This assures you the best possible combination of personal attention and comprehensive portraiture.

Because we are a private studio, our appointment times are limited and precious. For this reason, all appointments must be secured with a credit card or in-studio payment at the time the appointment is booked. This is a non-refundable retainer. It is important to understand that your appointment is a commitment to arrive on time for your session, with your clothing and accessories assembled, props in hand and any other portrait participants in tow. Preparation is key to a good portrait experience.

This brings us to planning:
Planning your session is more than simply calling the studio, setting an appointment and paying the portrait fee. You need to think about what you like in photographs of yourself and others, and what you want to portray in your images. We can offer suggestions, but the onus is on you to convey your desires to us as soon as possible. We will ask you several questions and show you some samples of images to help you determine your photographic style, but you can get a head start by looking at (and clipping out) images in magazines, the newspaper, other portraits (friends, family, etc.) and on the internet. If possible, clip, print or remove these images and bring them to your session with you. This will give us a good starting point in designing your session.

Bring hair styling tools, makeup, jewelry, hair ties and all your other accessories in a sturdy bag. Clothes should be freshly cleaned and pressed, and brought to the studio on individual hangers, arranged by outfit group if possible. It is a good idea to bring more clothes than you think you need, so that we have some options when you go into the studio. Packing your bag and setting up your clothes a day or so in advance of your appointment is also good, as you may forget something important if you are running about trying to pack the half hour before you are scheduled to be here!

If you are scheduling an outdoor sitting, keep in mind that you will need at least 1-3 indoor clothing options and 1-2 outdoor clothing options. If you intend to do a sports image (featuring sports clothing or equipment), be sure to bring your complete sporting outfit. Likewise if you have a personality photo that you want to do (instrumentalist, dramatist, etc.) you should choose an outfit that compliments your props. Black and white clothing are sure winners when doing portraits with an instrument (or for most any personality piece). We are happy to talk with you about your desires and give suggestions on what would work well.

Everyone should include the following items in their "kit" at the bare minimum:

DO NOT drastically change your appearance the two weeks prior to your sitting (get a drastic haircut, change makeup brands or application style, color or highlight your hair in a dramatic way, etc.). Doing so is more likely to make you hate your portraits than it is to improve the outcome of the session. You do not need to change your makeup style to meet a "photographic" requirement (some studios suggest you use darker colors or heavier applications, etc.). I take classic images that will show you at your best if you are dressed and coifed in your usual manner.

Your Portrait Order:
The good news is that we do not have traditional "packages". The bad news is that we do not have traditional "packages".

Because I feel that your senior portraits should meet YOUR needs, I do not put together packages that you must choose from. Choose the number of trade and wall prints that you NEED, not what the studio says you HAVE TO HAVE. This affords you the opportunity to create a portrait package that precisely meets your expectations, nothing left out and nothing that you didn't realy want.

Most importantly, because we are a completely digital studio, there are NO PROOFS TO TAKE OUT OF THE STUDIO! Your family and friends should come to the session not less than 45 minutes from the scheduled conclusion. They are welcome to attend the entire shoot, but they need to be there at the end if they are going to help you choose or are responsible for paying the final bill. Payment in full of all fees and portrait expenses, including reprints, is required at the end of the session.