What’s the purpose? Why make such an investment?

WHY DO WE TAKE SENIOR PORTRAITS?

What is the purpose of portraiture? Thinking on the past year I thought I’d showcase some of my favorite portraits, but that wasn’t really meaningful. I really want to provide my readers with any insight I have as a photographer that does Delaware senior portraits. After some consideration, I realize that when prospective clients initially contact me to book a senior photography session for themselves or a loved one, they are still unsure WHY they are going through such effort—an effort which by the way ends in a super fun experience for everyone—but let me tell you, it’s not really for announcements, small gift prints, or digital pictures to share online.

According to Beth S. Gersh-Nesic, Ph.D., “The purpose of a portrait is to memorialize an image of someone for the future.”

I like this definition of portraiture. As photographers, it serves as our purpose: documenting people and events for future evidence; recording history for future generations. It’s like saying, “Hey, I was here. I existed. I lived. This is who I was…who I am.” I want to help you navigate senior year which is a tough one emotionally. It’s the beginning of the end. The last firsts for everything. Please don’t get pictures just to keep up with the Joneses.

Keep reading to see the top 5 reasons why senior pictures are important.

IT’S A MILESTONE YEAR

Senior year is a milestone year, whether it’s high school or college. For some, you didn’t even think you would make it! Maybe the ride was bumpy because of external forces (cough cough…COVID…). Maybe you spent your early years battling illness and crossing that finish line is a considerable achievement. Maybe you had a super easy experience. However you got here, when you think about this milestone you will walk down memory lane and wonder how time escaped you. You will laugh, worry, cry, laugh some more, and cry again before it’s all over and in the end, you will high-five yourself. This is a time to bask in your accomplishments! You did it!

REVEAL THEIR PERSONALITY

Senior pictures are more than celebrating a milestone. Having a personalized portrait session reveals their personality. It takes a long time for a senior to find their path, and it’s worth remembering who they are as a person. I can’t tell you how many times parents tell me that their senior’s facial expressions they’ve seen over and over were perfectly captured. Those expressions truly memorialize our young adults and help us reminisce about special moments we’ve shared throughout their lives.

They are never always smiling! They have so many dimensions and are happy, pensive, serious, determined, and even silly so do make sure to choose a balanced selection of portraits that reveals all their layers you can enjoy as you look back.

SHOWCASE THEIR INTERESTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

They found their path by trying different extracurricular activities and hobbies which helped them to become who they are now. It’s always a great idea to bring something along to showcase their interests. Maybe they like to read books, play instruments, are active in sports, maybe they sing or love art! Bringing emotional symbols (your mom’s dress, grandfather’s watch) to your session to help make your portraits even more special. You can even bring pets. Whatever they like to do, make sure to capture those accomplishments so they can show their kids how cool they were “back in the day”.

GIFT THEM PROFESSIONAL PORTRAITS

It’s always good to have a great professional portrait. Some of your senior boys or senior gals will be rushing for fraternities or sororities, they will definitely need those professional pictures. As they move on through their college careers and graduate, the gift of professional Delaware senior portraits will definitely help them. Great headshots are a must to use for LinkedIn and social media accounts. College goes by even faster than high school and they will be looking for work. Transitioning from college to the “adult” world is a major step. One that is full of uncertainties. Having updated professional portraits is one less thing to worry about as they begin to sell themselves to prospective employers, clients, and customers.

CREATE MEMENTOS

Lastly, having mementos that serve as beautiful reminders of being a young adult is the absolute most important of all these reasons. As mentioned earlier, they are experiencing many “lasts” during senior year. Parents, please don’t live in regret – beautiful professional portraits that hang on your walls and sit in frames sprinkled around your home will fill your heart with joy long after they have left your nest. Seeing their faces as you walk through your home will go a very long way to filling the void of not having them there with you daily.

To my seniors…

Your last two years of schooling were not typical in many ways and brought distance-learning challenges amongst other issues that no one could have foreseen – but you persevered. You held the course and finished. You should be immensely proud of all that you have accomplished and incredibly excited for all that awaits you in your next steps. I enjoy meeting each and every one of you and hearing about your experiences, interests, hobbies, and future plans. Graduation is just around the corner. You’ve got this! For now, ENJOY!

Ready to discuss scheduling your Delaware senior portrait session? Let’s chat!