No, you do not have to go to *JUST* the school yearbook photographer.
But I think you’ll want to do BOTH!
The schools portrait company is hired to take your yearbook mug-shot, tux or drape, and cap and gown. Unless otherwise stated that is the image they will use in the yearbook regardless. You are so much more than one shot!
Honestly, I love and have taken the traditional tux and drape shot. Its a classic! Secret Confession: I WAS a school yearbook photographer for 8 years- its a great business. One of the school the company I worked with service a high school that had large composites sheets from every year the school had been open- back to the 1920’s! It was amazing- and being a small town there were kiddos going to school with their great grandmothers, grandpa’s, and parents watching over them! Its timeless and sentimental and I loved it!
So get that yearbook pic and enjoy it. I suggest getting the school-approved print portrait package for a formal yearbook shot too. I bought my kid’s yearbook photos and senior photos from the school-approved studio too. I mean let’s face it I am the ideal client…I want all the images of my baby ha! But I also wanted something that REALLY showed off who they are and their personalities too.
..... what about YOU? Your hobbies and passions? Some schools allow independent photographers’ images- like mine- to also appear in your book. Regardless an individualized senior session is an important milestone. All other photographs beyond one formal headshot from the school’s photographer will be fast, cookie-cutter images, and they are completely optional to purchase!
Over and over I’ve been encountering seniors who believe that they must use the school photographer for all of their senior portraits. The school’s yearbook photography companies will attempt to lead you to believe that they are the ONLY photographers and you must go to them since they purchased a contract with your school for your photos, that is not true and you are not obligated to buy anything from them-
I encourage a classic formal portrait in cap & Gown or Tux or Drape- its a milestone shared by your parents and grandparents, an iconic part of the senior experience. But wait- there can be so much MORE!
Felt cute..
Might post my 1991 school yearbook pic later!
AFTER THE YEARBOOK FORMAL ADD THE REAL YOU PERSONALITY AND ARTISTIC MODERN PORTRAIT FROM ANJEANETTE PHOTOGRAPHY!
You are free to make your choice about your senior photographer!
I encourage you to look around at several talented, small, independent photographers such as myself in your area. Make a decision based on the quality of their work. You will get better quality images, more time spent with you and more poses to choose from if you use an independent photographer with years of training and artistic experience.
The yearbook photography companies are usually high-volume studios that profit from getting students in and out quickly with just a few backgrounds- the same ones all of your class will have. And that’s their business model because it works- AND its inportant to get a photo of every kid. Not everyone will want a special session just for them and sad as that maes me personally hahah I want every kid in the yearbook. Sometimes when they are actually there in the yearbook folks studio they realize its a pretty cool experience and want more poses…You’ll still pay big bucks for your senior pictures at a bigger studio, but what you won’t realize is that you are paying for the business name. Consider your options. In the world of digital imagery, why would a studio only let you pick a few poses? Independent photographers will provide you with lots of options and will take the time to individually edit your images. They will take pride in their work because the images they produce will be a direct reflection of their abilities.
Do you charge more than the school photographer?
It really depends, however, most high-volume yearbook photographers charge more than I do for their sessions and products. Please compare our prices. ;)
