A Custom Senior Portrait Session versus Yearbook Photos

Senior Photos in Elk Grove, CA.

Congratulations, it is finally your senior year, and you made it.   You may be considering senior portraits and are asking yourself if you are limited to just the yearbook photographer for your senior portraits.  The answer is NO!  You are free to explore outside of your school’s photographer if you are interested in a more customized photo session.  Many of you are probably even wondering what the difference is between a yearbook photo and a custom senior portrait session.  Well, I’m here to break it down for you so that you are fully educated and can decide if you are wanting something outside of the typical headshot style yearbook photos.

Yearbook Photos

Traditionally, yearbook photos are taken by a portrait company that the school contracts out with. Think of a typical “School Picture Day” but more formal.  The photographer will likely come to the school gym, set up a backdrop and take photos. Most schools have seniors styled the same, with the guys in black suit jackets with ties and the girls with a black cape hung down over their shoulders. Typically, they are shot headshot style, chest up, looking straight at the camera and smiling.  You are usually able to order prints of the image that was captured at the yearbook session.  Some school photographers may even try to sign you up to do a session in their studio where you get a limited number of poses in front of a backdrop. While these photos are good for the yearbook, they leave very little to the personalization of the senior and showcasing their personality and interests.

“A Customized Senior portrait session allows seniors to create amazing images and capture their senior year through fun, relaxed and creative pictures.”

Custom Senior Portrait Experience

Unlike yearbook photos, custom senior portrait sessions allow you to express yourself and capture your high school memories in a more personal way.  I go out of my way to create a custom personalized session for you. Shawn Spencer Photography (SSP) senior sessions are 90 minutes long to give us plenty of time for outfit changes and all the poses you want.

With my custom senior portrait session, I help you figure out a location that will fit your vibe and style of the type of photos you are looking for. The location choices are endless for senior portrait sessions, whether you want a soft country vibe to your images or something edgy and urban I will help you find that location with you.

SSP’s custom senior portrait session gives you the freedom to wear what you want for your portraits. There are no rules, and you can wear different outfits to show off your style. This is a chance to be yourself and capture your unique personality in every image. I help guide you with style choices and am available to offer ideas and suggestions.  I will send you my prep and style guide to help give you tips and ideas for selecting outfits that will stand the test of time and showcase your amazing style.

With my custom senior portrait session, you are free to bring any props to add to the images and show off your interests, hobbies, sports, activities, and overall fun personality

A big difference between yearbook photos and custom photos is the tone of the overall experience.  With yearbook photos you are just one of many seniors standing in line to take a quick photo that will be added to the yearbook.  However, with a custom senior portrait session you get a one-on-one personalized session that is unique to you and what your style is. 

Wrap Up

For some people, the experience and the options provided by yearbook photos will be what they want, especially if they are looking for a simple and minimalistic senior photos approach. However, most seniors want those fun, out of the box, creative and personalized photos.

SSP offers an overall senior portrait experience that will give you a custom session with a variety of images to choose from in your gallery. So not only will you get gorgeous, stunning senior pictures that are a true representation of you, you’ll also work with someone who is genuinely invested in creating an experience that you’ll enjoy.  I offer different packages that include digitals, prints and both.  I offer a variety of print products, such as traditional prints, collages, canvases, and coffee table books. You can even get digital files to share with your friends on social media or to keep on your computer. Best of all, you'll receive a gallery full of images that you love and want to share with your friends and family.

If you are interested in booking a senior portrait session with me, reach out via my contact form. 

I would love to send you my senior welcome brochure guide that walks you through the senior portrait experience and everything it has to offer, plus information on booking a senior portrait session.  Remember you are only a senior once and your senior year will fly right by.  So, make sure you capture it right with a personalized custom senior portrait session.

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