Your senior year is finally here. After all the years of studying, classes, homework and tests, you're almost done. From this moment, the road to your future is paved with many choices; further education, full time employment, the mission field or hundreds of other options await you. That's why it's called "Commencement" - because it celebrates the commencing of the next stage of your future. This moment signifies a turning point in your life, and is a traditional time for special portraits. For many seniors, this is the first time they have something special created like this, and might be the last until wedding pictures. It is a significant investment, and an important decision for each family.
OLD SCHOOL While the concept of senior portraits is not new, Laura Breece Photography has redesigned the process. Traditionally, senior portrait studios schedule a session and charge a sitting fee of $20-50. This sitting fee typically is not applied to any ultimate picture purchases. After your portrait sitting, you will be asked to schedule a sales session two to three weeks later to view your proofs. At this sales presentation, you will see the print packages, which average $400-800.
After researching the needs of today's high school and college seniors, we developed a simpler approach that adapts to current technology and client needs.
NEW SCHOOL From our clients, we have learned these truths:
The teens... ...have different expectations for the style of their images than their parents do ...are looking for a web-based senior portrait process ...have often vastly different technology skills than their parents ...want wallet-sized prints to give to their friends ...need digital files for myspace, facebook, and personal emailing (it is our fondest hope that all teens would use safe Internet practices and never provide identifying information where it can be accessed by strangers)
The parents... ...like the contemporary images, but want the traditional styles as well ...have different goals than the kids do for the senior portrait process ...need quality prints to display in the home and send to friends and relatives ...love getting to keep the proofs ...want to use the images freely, but legally ...don't want to spend a fortune, but recognize the importance of this service ...want the option of using a credit card or paying by check ...prefer to keep appointments to a minimum, because scheduling the shoot is hard enough with a senior's full calendar
OUR APPROACH We work for you. During our session together, we work diligently to create breathtaking images tailored specifically to you. We'll laugh, experiment with lighting and poses, change looks or environment, and develop a catalog of images you can choose from.
After your session, the photographer reviews your images, chooses the best of the best, and posts a comprehensive collection online in a password-protected gallery. These proof images will also be printed at a professional lab, placed into a custom-designed album, and are yours to keep.
We will email you the link and access information for your personal gallery when it is complete - usually in one week. From there, you can review the proofs in the privacy of your home, with no high pressure sales and at your own convenience for 90 days. You can also forward the link to your friends and family, allowing them the opportunity to enjoy the choices and make their selections.
To order from this gallery, simply click your favorites, select print sizes and quantities, and submit a credit card number. Your credit card information is encrypted and submitted through a secure credit card processing service.
Any orders received from the online gallery receive standard retouching and are usually shipped out within one week. Busy parents appreciate that orders from friends and family are shipped directly, and they don't have to be a middle man. Specialty retouching is available for more photo repairs, but a nominal lab fee will be assessed. This feature is great for extensive acne, braces removal, scarring, or artistic effects.
OUR PACKAGES With an LBP Senior Portrait package, you know up front what the cost will be and what's included. We offer four packages, designed to meet the needs of most senior clients. In addition to your package, individually-priced (a la carte) reprints and enlargements are available at very attractive prices. Because we are paid for our shooting and production time in advance, we don't have to charge high reprint and enlargement prices later. Our a la carte prices are considerably lower than most studios. If you don't believe us, check out the other reputable professionals in your area and compare apples to apples.
If you are looking for something different or additional, please don't hesitate to ask. LBP is happy to adjust and adapt packages to meet your needs. To see more information on our fees and what is included, click here: Senior Portrait Packages
SCHOOL CONTRACTS Many schools have yearbook contracts with specific photographers. These contracts require seniors to use the contracted photographer in order to appear in the school's yearbook.
With this scenario, you will be assessed a sitting fee of $20-60 for your session, which is generally not applied to your ultimate package choice. A few weeks later, you and your parent go back to the photographer and look at your proofs. Your yearbook choice will have to be from one basic background used in your session. There will then be given an opportunity to place an order that will average $350-$800, but you are under no obligation to do this. You can choose your yearbook shot, and then walk or run to Laura Breece Photography for something more interesting.
If your school does not have a yearbook contract, we can provide you with a yearbook submission photo that meets their specifications. If your school does have a contract, you will need to go through their process in order to appear in the book. However, remember that you are not required to make any purchases there, other than your sitting fee. If you bring your receipt for previous sitting fees paid, we will credit your account for that amount. You lose nothing, and we give you portraits unlike any others you may have seen.
THE BOTTOM LINE At Laura Breece Photography, we believe that senior portraits don't need to be painful; it should be a fun experience you treasure. All of our senior packages include a personal session with the photographer, a set of proofs to keep, and an online gallery to review and share. Depending on the package that you choose, enlargements, wallets, and a CD may be included. These items, and others, can be purchased a la carte as well.
Your satisfaction is guaranteed! If you don't love your pictures, let us know and we'll reshoot absolutely free. Happy clients bring us other happy people! (Cranky people should come freshly fed, with an open mind and a positive friend. Frightened people should call for a free get-acquainted cup of java. )
MAKEUP AND STYLING HELP For the best in pampering, choose the Stylist option! Nothing makes you feel more beautiful than having your own personal makeup artist. Our staff of makeup artists and designer/stylists are chosen for their unique style and technique. They will make sure you've never looked better! Guys who choose the stylist option appreciate the help with clothing choices, hair changes and grooming.
CURIOUS YET??... Take a minute to review our galleries for samples of our work. You might see someone you know! Many of our best work comes from the ideas of our clients, so jot down any thoughts you have. If you still have questions, please contact our office. We offer a complimentary consultation to anyone considering our service.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY...
"I had so much fun at my shoot!" says one recent female senior. "I was kind of nervous going in, but Laura is so nice and I felt comfortable right away. She taught me everything I needed to know."
Another young lady remarked, "The photographer helped me put together the clothes I brought, and made some great suggestions. I don't usually wear much makeup, but Laura showed me how to use just a little to bring out my eyes. Normally I don't like pictures of myself, but I LOVED these!"
From a male client: "I didn't really want to have senior pictures taken, but my mom made me. I'm so glad she did! I had a blast with the photographer, and my shots looked like a cool magazine ad. I would definitely recommend Laura Breece for the best work in Indianapolis."
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK We have found that many seniors are often involved in outside activities that require photos. You're doing pictures anyway, so why not make the pictures work for you? Students involved in the arts or media may mix professional headshots into their session. Aspiring models can direct their setting toward their portfolio, and dancers can fulfill audition requirements with full action shots. Athletes can run, jump, swim, or play their sport while we fire away, adding a new dimension to static senior shots.
Filled out any scholarship applications lately? Many of those require a recent photograph that shows how stellar you are. Get that image from us! We'll make sure you have a wide variety of styles to choose from. The picture you'll want for Grandma's wall is probably not the same image you'll want to give out to your friends. We love to "think outside the box" creatively with our clients, building images that truly reflect who they are at this time in their lives. Come armed with your ideas! We can even recreate a magazine ad with you as the model. We encourage you to bring props, animals, accessories, and your special people to personalize your shoot.
Don't forget to hit the links above to see samples or view current packages.
Congratulations on your accomplishments, and best wishes for a successful future...