As seniors commence their final year of high school, exclusive opportunities arise for their class. One of the most exciting benefits for seniors is the chance to have more personal photos to take away from their senior year other than the traditional photos taken for the yearbook.

Senior portraits are often taken outside of school by a local photographer. Students gather their favorite outfits, get primed and prepped and pick the perfect location. In a matter of hours, a student will pose for 20-100 pictures and will eventually end up choosing 10 or less photos to give to friends and family to document the final year of high school.

Choosing A Photographer

With the wide array of choices for talented photographers, seniors face the challenge of choosing just one. Although many opt to pick the larger companies in Lawrence, some choose student photographers to take their senior portraits.

Senior Morgan Schneider is a student photographer. Schneider has already taken the pictures of senior Arthur Hall and Brianna Krull, as well as pictures for Sidney McBride and Taylor Augustine’s graduation party. Schneider intends on either taking her senior pictures herself or getting them taken by local photographer Amy Dye.

As a student photographer, Schneider has taken on a mature role while working with her peers.

“It’s always going to be awkward because there’s a camera stuck in your face but just act casual,” Schneider said. “Have ideas ready in your head and different poses you can do.”

For senior Chandler McElhaney, the company Crystal Image was an obvious choice for her.

McElhaney is a senior spokesmodel for Crystal Image. Through a recommendation from a friend and a short application process, McElhaney was hired after a quick interview.

“The good thing about Crystal is she made it fun,” McElhaney said. “She wasn’t just like, ‘Okay, stand here, pose here, do this, do that.’ She was having fun with me, and I had a lot of fun because of that.”

Other students had the opportunity of meeting their photographers through friends. Senior Hunter Haralson was introduced to Tracy Rasmussen of Insight Photography by a friend’s recommendation.

Haralson advises other seniors to get in contact with their photographer prior to the big shoot for the best end results.

“Make sure your photographer knows who you are and tell [them] about yourself before you take your pictures so then [they’ll] get a better idea of how to take a picture of you and make it the best possible,” Haralson said.

Locations and Photo Shoot

The location chosen to shoot senior pictures is nearly as important as picking the right person to take the photos. This place will serve as the backdrop and can make or break any picture.

Most photographers will make suggestions as to where to shoot the pictures based on seniors’ outfit choices, but the senior makes the final decision.

Although some photographers’ proposals may seem peculiar at times, often these pictures will turn out the best.

McElhaney was taken on what seemed to her like a wild goose chase on a highway, to an old barn and a trash can.

“We went to Dillons and she took pictures of me by a blue trash can,” McElhaney said. “But you couldn’t see it was a trash can. It was just the blue of the trash can.”

Schneider also tries to shoot in unusual, artistic locations. She personalizes each photo shoot to match the senior’s style and aesthetics, but keeps in mind what will flatter them best.

“I like to take them up against interesting backgrounds or walls that bring out their eyes or walls that match their clothes, so its all color-coordinated,” Schneider said. “Also [I like] places where the light shines in.”

Despite many photographers’ clever ideas, it is important for seniors to remember that these are their photos and to speak up if the photographer suggests a location or pose that doesn’t fit them.

“There were a couple of poses I made Arthur [Hall] do that I feel like weren’t really him, but we just kind of worked around that, and I kind of let him make some decisions,” Schneider said. “I had some in mind, but he was like, ‘I don’t really like that. It’s not me.’ When they are just sitting there and not really doing anything and you look up and they’re doing something, you’re like ‘Hey, I like that pose. Just stay where you are.’ Then it just comes natural.”

Dress to Impress

When choosing what to wear for senior portraits, many students struggle with selecting attire that truly represent their personality. Often, seniors choose just a few outfits that range from casual to dressy.

Photographers only give one piece of advice when choosing outfits for senior pictures: choose outfits that you would normally wear and that you are most comfortable in. For some this may mean the comfort of jeans and a T-shirt, but for others this could mean the confidence that a nice dress brings.

However, choosing outfits that are timeless can be another good tip for trendy students.

“Don’t wear anything with names on it, just keep it plain,” Haralson said. “Don’t have writing on your clothes or holes in your jeans.”

Another obstacle seniors face in choosing what clothing to wear for their pictures is finding the most flattering pieces.

Schneider suggests picking clothes that match your location or background.

“[Choose] things that bring out your eyes,” Schneider said. “Also, depending on what season it is, dress for the season, like you wouldn’t wear a maxi dress if you’re planning on getting them done in the snow.”

The most important tip given by seniors is to “be yourself” in senior pictures.

“I had five outfits and those five outfits completely matched me,” McElhaney said. “I didn’t try to do any Lady Gaga outfits.”

Whether it is location, clothing or poses, senior portraits are a representation of each individual’s high school experience and will forever be a memento of their memorable time at Lawrence High.