SENIOR PORTRAITS

FAQ#2

When choosing your outfits, keep in mind the most important thing is that you like them. You'll want to bring as much variety as possible. Most seniors choose some casual and some dressy outfits. Limit sleeveless or very short sleeves because upper arms can be very distracting, especially women. If necessary, bring more than needed, we will help you decide.

GUYS - for the more traditional portraits, a suit or sport coat with/without a tie is good. Medium to dark sweaters photograph well. For casual and outdoor photos, comfort is the rule - jeans, shirts, sweaters, shorts, sweatshirts, western. Don't forget your belt.

GIRLS - bring the colors and outfits you feel best in. Dresses, even formals, sweaters and lace for the more traditional look - bright colors, patterns, skirts, jeans, shorts. If you like an outfit, it's probably because you look good in it, so make sure you bring it! ALL WHITE is great for special high key effects. White is a strong color and is great when used properly with a white background. Blonde or light hair looks great with white clothing.

SHOES - Often shoes will show so they should compliment your clothing; changes may be necessary with different clothing styles. Many seniors prefer barefoot poses.

What Else Can I Bring?

Here's where the fun really begins! Part of what makes Bryan Betz Photography so much better is that we work very hard to bring out the various facets of your personality. So make sure you bring your favorite hat, musical instrument, pet, sunglasses, hobby, letter jacket, "wheels", snowboard, uniform, sports activity, or ANYTHING else you feel would show off the REAL YOU. Don't forget summertime activities; swim suit, boom box, fishing or skiing gear. Also, if you have a cell-phone or I-Pod,, bring it. No idea is too crazy and since we'll try different poses with you, you have nothing to lose - so GO FOR IT!

Can I Bring Someone With Me?

Absolutely! Some people find it more comfortable to bring Mom or Dad, a friend, brother or sister along to help ease the "camera room jitters".

What About A Suntan?

Too much sun darkens your skin unnaturally, dries out your hair, makes skin appear shiny and greasy and shows bags under your eyes. Strap marks will show as white marks on bare shoulder poses. These cannot be easily retouched. Keep your tan even. Don't overdo the sun for a portrait, it looks great, but use in moderation. Sunburn is a real problem - cancel your appointment if burned.

What About My Hair, Make-up, Glasses?

HAIR - Try to have your haircut or perm at least one week before your session to give it a chance to "fill in" a little. Don't try a radically different haircut or style. Chances are you won't feel it expresses the "real you". Don't cut it until you have seen your proofs.

MAKE-UP (Guys too!) - Here's a quick hint that will greatly enhance your portraits: Just before your session, stand two feet in front of the mirror. Dab a small amount of cover-up make-up on any noticeable blemishes. That's it - if they're gone in the mirror they'll be gone in your photographs! Guys, have your mom or sister help you, we won't tell. Bring face powder to dull the shiny spots from the sunlight or flash. Our retouching will remove any residue.

GLASSES - This is important. If you wear glasses most of the time, you'll want to wear them in your portraits. To eliminate glare and reflections, call your optician and arrange to borrow a pair of empty frames like yours. Or have the lenses removed from your own glasses. Most opticians will gladly do this for free (make sure you give them plenty of notice, though). This totally eliminates glare and distortion and is the most important way to improve your portraits if you wear glasses. It doesn't take much effort - and it sure makes your pictures look better! There is a retouching charge for removing glasses glare and spurious refractions.

What if it rains?

If you planned to have some of your poses taken outdoors, but it looks like rain or wind, we will do all the indoor photography. And, schedule an outdoor session for a later date. It is easier to reschedule an outdoor session instead of all of the session. There is no extra charge to re-schedule the rain date. 

How Much Money Should I Bring?

If you haven't prepaid, you need to bring to your session the total package payment.

Proofs / Pictures

We will print 2.25"x3.25" digital  proof images on 8x10 premium luster photo paper - 9 to a sheet. They will be available for pick-up the next business day. These proofs must be returned when you place your order. You may purchase any of the pages at $4 each. 

There is an optional $95 CD-ROM available. That CD will include all the raw digital images. An additional $30 will  cover the cost of burning a 2nd CD of the corrected images. A copyright release will be included. CD's are not returnable. 

You may choose any number of poses for your package. However, there is a $5 per image pose charge for each image selected. Note that this is per image not per print. All of our printed images are retouched for all minor blemishes. 

Finished pictures will usually take about 3 to 6 weeks after receipt of your order. You will be contacted when the completed order is ready for pickup. Rush service ($25.00) is available to expedite processing in 2 weeks or less. 

Yearbook prints are NOT included. Usually you will use one of your wallets for the yearbook. If you wait until the last moment to get your yearbook print, there IS a rush charge - $25 for less than 2 weeks - $50 for 2 days. Please plan ahead. 

There is a mandatory $10 charge for producing and sending an e-YB to your school. This applies to FHC, FHN, FHE, EGR, Lowell, or other schools that utilize digital media for the year book. Digital images reproduce better than submitting a wallet.

Wallets are die-cut with round corners and come in sets of 48 per pose selected. You may include multiple poses within the set of 48. There is a split charge of $10 per additional image added. 

Black & White Portraits

We are proud to offer dramatic Black & White portraits for even more variety. These can be done indoors or outdoors. Please bring any special outfit that you would like to be photographed in. We suggest any dark outfit with patterns, designs. Avoid all white. Jean jackets make an excellent choice for clothing. Have fun with this session because it is meant to be an image session. Be creative with this session. Please note that black & white prints require a 20% print surcharge.

What Can I Expect At My Photo Session?

First, expect to have a great time, because you will! It's OK to be a little nervous at first, but you'll soon relax with our easy-going manner and super creative photography!

Plan on arriving 5 to 10 minutes before your schedule time to freshen up, check your outfits. We will spend a short time with you to find out what photographic styles you like best. Remember, we want you to have fun. Being late will only result in you feeling rushed and less time spent on your photography.

Let us know about black & white pictures.

Be sure to wear one of your outfits to the session to save time. Pick the one that you consider most traditional. It's OK to bring more than the recommended number of outfits if you're not sure what would look best - we will help you pick the most photogenic ones.

Don't forget to dab a little cover-up make-up on those noticeable blemishes - it will make each portrait look a lot nicer! Our minor digital facial retouching will do wonders for your complexion.

Please remember your package payment - (cash or check).

If you're unsure of something or have any questions before or during your session. PLEASE ASK! We want you to feel comfortable so you can get the BEST PORTRAITS of your lifetime!

Checklist to Bring:

___ hat girls & boys

___ uniform

___ instrument

___ sports outfit/equip.  hockey puck   tennis balls  baseball  football   soccer ball   golf ball

___ snowboard or skis

___ sunglasses

___ swim suit

___ stuffed animals

___ hobby

___ session fee

___ my stuff

___ other ______________

___ cell-phone  iPod

___ pet

___ shorts

___ sun outfit - sun dress

___ glasses (borrow empty frame)

___ make-up

___ jewelry - belt - shoes - suspenders

___ "wheels"  washed & waxed