Looking for ways to save on Senior Pictures?

If you are a high school student, or parent of a high school student, you’ve probably heard that Senior Year is full of decisions, college applications, scholarship-hunting, and…Senior Pictures!  It’s an exciting and confusing time for both students and parents.

There are a few ways, however, that savvy parents and students can save BIG money.  By doing research, making some phone calls, and putting your outgoing personality to work, you can save from hundreds to thousands of dollars on Senior Pictures.

Meet Kayla: One of my Senior Models, Class of 2011 from Brighton, CO.

1.  LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO REPRESENT THE STUDIO

After you’ve narrowed down your favorite 3 or 4 photographers in your area, call each one and ask if they have a “Studio Rep,” Senior Model, or “Senior Ambassador” Program. The photographer will put you to work in your school telling your friends about that particular studio, generally in exchange for a free or discounted senior photo session.  Each studio’s programs are unique, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and find the program that will fit your schedule, personality, and style.

2.  START YOUR RESEARCH FOR SENIOR PICTURES DURING YOUR SOPHOMORE OR JUNIOR YEAR

One of the most important secrets to getting free senior pictures via a Senior Model program is to START EARLY.  How early?  Believe it or not, you should start your research during your SOPHOMORE year in high school.

Here in Colorado, most school senior yearbook picture deadlines are between mid-September to mid-October of the Senior school year.  Also, most schools here require the Seniors to hire their own photographer, which is a suprise to many parents.

So let’s work the timeline backward:  The majority of parents and teens will wait until the LAST possible minute to get pictures done.  With the threat of not appearing in the yearbook (or, even worse- having your SCHOOL ID picture inserted instead– some of our schools actually do that!), you go on a mad hunt for any photographer who can squeeze you into the schedule.  According to the Law of Supply and Demand, IF you can even find a studio who will take you (and the one you really wanted is booked solid), you will pay Full-price for Session Fees and Prints.  You also need to allow between 2-4 weeks’ processing time after your photo session to receive your portrait order.  Most photo studios will submit your yearbook photo directly to the school for you, but be sure to ask what their policy is BEFORE you book!

The good news is that many photographers offer early-booking discounts in June and July, which can save between 10% – 50%.

If you are selected to be a Senior Model, your Modeling photo session will be shot in the Spring of your Junior year.  This gives you time to spread the word about early-booking discounts and other incentives that the studio may be promoting.

Finally, most studios begin seeking Senior Models during the first semester of your Junior Year, which is the ideal time to get your application in.  So you can see that the process of “Senior” pictures actually begins much earlier than you might have imagined.

3.  SIGN UP FOR THE SENIOR PICTURE REFERRAL PROGRAM TO EARN DISCOUNTS OR CASH

The third secret to getting free or reduced-cost senior pictures is to ask your photographer if you can earn Print Credit or even cold, hard, CASH for referrals of friends & fellow students to the studio.

Although each studio is different, each referral brings additional business to the studio, and most will have a plan in place to reward referrals.  In some cases, it’s possible to get some or even all of your senior pictures at Low Cost or even totally FREE, if you have enough friends who also get their pictures done at that studio.

Again, it’s important to remember that the photographer will be most interested in generating senior portrait business during the slower part of the summer, so this is another instance where you need to start early, but it’s definitely worth checking out!

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