Choosing what to wear for your photography session can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. The right outfit choices can elevate your images and help you feel confident in front of the camera.

At The Imagery Portrait Photography in Burnsville, MN, we guide families, seniors, professionals, and organizations toward wardrobe choices that feel authentic, polished, and timeless.

Here’s how to keep it simple and stress-free.

Senior Picture Pricing & Investment Guide for the Class of 2027

Every senior is unique. That's why we offer four portrait experiences ranging from simple yearbook portraits to fully customized creative artwork.

Looking for senior picture pricing in Minnesota? This guide explains our senior portrait packages, what is included, when you'll see your images, how copyrighted digital images work, and what most families invest for senior pictures at The Imagery.

Every session includes your yearbook image. We prepare and deliver it directly to your school for you. One less thing for parents to worry about.

Every senior session also includes a complimentary family session that may be scheduled anytime during your senior year through October following graduation.

Most families invest between $450 and $1,500 for their senior portrait experience, depending on how many images they would like to own and how they plan to enjoy them after the session.

Not sure which experience is right for your senior? Most families choose the Signature Session to start with, and upgrades can be made from there. Call us to discuss your particular needs at (952) 890-7640.

What about additional digital images, prints, and products?

Many families choose to purchase additional Copyrighted Digital Images, wall portraits, graduation announcements, gifts for grandparents, albums, custom artwork, and other products after seeing their images.

Because every senior and every family is different, we do not lock you into predetermined product packages. Instead, we'll help you choose exactly what you love after your session.

Smaller gift prints begin at $55, while wall portraits, albums, graduation announcements, custom artwork, and specialty products vary based on size, design, and customization. We can create everything from a simple desk print to a life-size wall portrait.

Most families find it difficult to know exactly what they'll want before seeing their images. Once your portraits are ready, we'll guide you through all of the available options and help you decide what best fits your home, your family, and your budget.

If budget is an important consideration, please let us know before your session. We are happy to discuss pricing, answer questions, and provide detailed estimates ahead of time. Our goal is simple: we never want you to be surprised by pricing, and we want you to feel completely comfortable with your investment before we begin.

Why Class of 2027 Families Choose The Imagery for Senior Pictures

Senior year happens once.

These portraits should be more than a requirement for the yearbook. They should celebrate who your senior is right now—their personality, interests, accomplishments, style, and dreams for the future.

For more than 28 years, families throughout Minnesota and the Twin Cities area have trusted The Imagery to create portraits that feel authentic, confident, and uniquely personal.

Whether your senior is an athlete, dancer, musician, artist, entrepreneur, outdoors enthusiast, honors student, or still discovering who they are, we'll create images that tell their story.

Many seniors choose to include:

• Pets
• Sports and athletic equipment
• Dance, theater, or music interests
• Cars, trucks, or motorcycles
• Favorite outdoor locations
• Family cabins and lake properties
• Fishing, hunting, or outdoor hobbies

Our goal isn't simply to take photographs.

Our goal is to create portraits your family will still treasure generations from now.

Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Pictures

Is the yearbook image included?

Yes. Every senior session includes a yearbook image, and we submit it directly to your school whenever possible.

What if my teen hates having their picture taken?

That's probably the most common thing parents tell us before the session.

Don't worry.

Most seniors arrive feeling a little uncomfortable. By the end of the session, they're relaxed, confident, and often having fun. Guiding people naturally is one of Rod's greatest strengths.

Can I bring my dog?

Absolutely. Pets are family too.

Can family members be included?

Yes.

Every senior receives a complimentary family session that can be scheduled anytime during their senior year, up to and including October following graduation.

Many families use this opportunity to update family portraits while everyone is together before college, military service, work, or life's next adventure begins.

Do you help with posing?

Absolutely.

Every step of the way.

Even when the goal is to look natural, experience matters. What feels natural isn't always what looks most flattering in a photograph. Rod and Stephanie will guide you through simple adjustments in posture, expression, angles, and placement that help you look your best while still looking like yourself. You won't feel posed, or look "posed"—that's the difference of being in the hands of professionals who have worked with hundreds of high school seniors just like you.

You never have to worry about awkward moments, wondering what to do with your hands, or feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera. We'll guide you through the entire process so you can relax, have fun, and focus on being yourself.

What is a Copyrighted Digital Image and Print Release?

A Copyrighted Digital Image is a high-resolution image file that comes with a personal-use copyright release.

This allows you to print your images, share them online, create graduation announcements, and enjoy them however you'd like for personal use.

While many families appreciate the flexibility of digital images, we still believe professional prints and wall portraits are the best way to preserve your memories for future generations and enjoy them every day. That's why we offer both options, allowing your family to choose what works best for you.

When will I see my images?

Most seniors see their images online within 1-2 weeks after their session.

Before we present your gallery, the Imagery team carefully reviews the images and removes duplicates, blinks, test shots, and other images that don't meet our standards. The result is a polished selection of portraits that are ready for the next step in the ordering process.

If you have a special deadline or would like a few preview images sooner, just let us know. We can often accommodate special requests.

How long does it take to receive senior pictures?

Copyrighted Digital Images are typically ready within two weeks after your order is finalized and paid in full.

Printed products generally take between 3-6 weeks depending on the season, current production queue, and the level of customization involved. Smaller prints are often completed sooner, while albums, wall portraits, custom artwork, and specialty products may require additional production time.

We also offer interest-free partial payment options. Once an order balance has been paid in full, we'll move forward with final delivery and production.

Can I see the studio ahead of time?

Absolutely.

You're welcome to schedule a studio tour before your session if you'd like to see the camera room, portrait park, changing areas, artwork samples, and learn more about the experience.

That said, most seniors and parents have very busy schedules, so a pre-session visit is certainly not required. We make the process easy by answering questions over the phone, providing detailed preparation information by email, and sending a questionnaire that helps us get to know your senior before the session.

By the time session day arrives, most families feel fully prepared and ready to have fun.

If you'd like to schedule a studio tour, simply call us at (952) 890-7640.

Do you photograph on location?

Absolutely.

Some seniors look best in our portrait park or studio. Others have a story that deserves a more personal setting.

We've photographed seniors at lakes, horse barns, golf courses, downtown locations, dance studios, athletic facilities, family cabins, parks, and many other meaningful locations throughout Minnesota.

How far in advance should I book senior pictures?

The most popular summer and fall dates often book several months in advance.

For the greatest flexibility, we recommend scheduling your senior portrait session as early as possible, especially if you would like evening light, fall colors, a specific location, or time to use your images for graduation announcements, graduation parties, open houses, and gifts.

What is the True U Artistic Experience?

The True U Experience is designed for seniors who want something extraordinary.

We begin with a planning consultation to discover what makes your senior unique. Professional makeup artistry is included (optional), and together we create a custom portrait concept that celebrates who they truly are.

The experience includes 10 custom artistic edits designed specifically around your senior's interests, personality, and story.

The result is often a signature piece of artwork that becomes a centerpiece in the family's home long after graduation. This is right for you if you are looking for an heirloom piece for the home that is more "art" than photograph. It is a true collaborative and customized creation. (Pre-consultation and preparation is key for this session and recommended 1-2 weeks in advance.)

Ready to Create Amazing Senior Pictures?

The best dates—especially summer evenings and fall color season—book months in advance.

If you're ready to create senior portraits that are authentic, meaningful, and completely customized to your senior, we'd love to help.

Call us at (952) 890-7640 with any questions.

Want to see available dates?

Visit our online scheduling page to view current availability and reserve your session:

https://theimagery.mystratus.com/onlinebooking.aspx?sessiontypekey=00-000-12

Now booking the Class of 2027.

Choosing Portraits That Feel Like You

Senior year is one of the biggest milestones in a young person’s life, and the portraits you choose should reflect that moment with authenticity and style. While AI-generated images and heavily edited trends may be tempting, there is lasting value in senior portraits that feel real, personal, and thoughtfully created.  We use AI to enhance, only when it makes sense to the natural story of the senior. (All images in this article, for example, were custom created by us before AI became a thing.)

At The Imagery Portrait Photography in Burnsville, MN, we believe senior portraits should celebrate who each student is right now—their personality, interests, accomplishments, and confidence as they prepare for graduation. That’s especially true for the Class of 2027, a group beginning to think ahead about how they want to be remembered.

Why Authentic Portraits Matter

Senior portraits are more than a requirement for yearbooks or announcements. They become part of your family’s legacy. Long after graduation, these images will remind you of a specific season in life: the sports, the music, the friendships, the hard work, and the growth. Again, natural enhancement, using AI when it makes sense, avoiding it when it doesn't.  

Authentic portraits also create a stronger connection between the subject and the final image. Instead of looking overly produced or disconnected from reality, the photographs feel grounded and timeless. That matters now, and it matters even more years from now when those portraits are shared, framed, and revisited.

Preparing for a Senior Session

A little preparation helps create a smoother, more enjoyable session. Start by selecting outfits that reflect your style while still photographing well. Neutral tones, coordinating colors, and a mix of casual and polished looks often work beautifully. It’s also smart to bring options so your photographer can help you choose what feels best on camera.

Think about the details that make this session personal. If you’re involved in dance, gymnastics, skating, music, or another passion, include it in the conversation before your session. At The Imagery Portrait Photography, we tailor each experience to the person in front of the camera, creating images that feel true to your story. (See the drummer image for example--not done with AI).

Rest, hydration, and arriving with enough time to settle in can also make a noticeable difference. The more relaxed you feel, the more natural your expressions will be.

What to Expect from a Professional Portrait Experience

Professional senior portraits should never feel stiff or one-size-fits-all. Rod or Stephanie will guide you through posing, expression, and timing so you can focus on being yourself. That collaborative approach helps create portraits that are polished without losing authenticity.

Whether your session takes place in our studio or private portrait park in Burnsville or is designed around a favorite look or activity, the goal is always the same: to produce timeless images that reflect your legacy with pride.

Start the Year with Intention

If you’re part of the Class of 2027, now is the perfect time to begin thinking about how you want your senior portraits to look and feel. Choose a photographer who values authenticity, personal connection, and lasting quality.

At The Imagery Portrait Photography, we create portraits that honor milestones with care and professionalism. The result is more than a photo—it’s a meaningful image that captures this moment in a way that will still feel important for years to come.

Photography in a New Era: Why, How, and What Endures

We have a new tagline, and I proudly introduce it to you now:

Preserving what matters — today and forever.

Here’s why this change is important, and why it matters.

There was a time when photography was defined by access. That eroded abruptly as digital cameras, then cell phones, and then really good cameras that happen to take phone calls came into play. Now, seemingly overnight, AI has entered our lives and made the creation of images accessible to anyone with a little knowledge of how to type an instruction into an app.

In the distant past, it mattered who had the camera and the skill to make a good image.

That era is over.

Today, images are everywhere. They can be generated, enhanced, altered, and created in seconds. And while that reality has made many people nervous about the future of professional photography, it has also clarified something essential:

Professional photography is no longer about whether images can be made.
It’s about why, how, and what endures.

At The Imagery, we believe this shift isn’t a threat — it’s an invitation. It’s an invitation to redefine, once again, why we exist.

It’s an invitation to move beyond simply creating images and toward preserving what matters, through a human experience that matters.

The Difference Between an Image and Meaning

An image can be made beautiful — even technically perfect — with the push of a button. But beauty alone doesn’t guarantee significance, and it can never replace the client experience.

What gives a professional photograph weight — what allows it to endure — is no longer the image alone, but the intention behind it. The context in which it is created and the human experience surrounding its creation. What we create must now go deeper, into the unseen stories beneath the surface.

If a client is going to invest in a professional photography experience, they are seeking guidance, human interaction, and a creation that goes beyond just the “photo” as the end result.  Going forward you'll see more questions from us, more requests to chat before the session, and more questionnaires building out each customized experience.

In a world where technology can generate visuals instantly, the role of the professional photographer becomes even more important. We are no longer simply button-pushers. We are guides, listeners, and collaborators. A professional photographer collaborates with other humans to decide what matters — and why it should be preserved.

That decision can’t be automated. These choices are intelligent, but they are anything but artificial.

Why Experience Matters More Than Ever

Experience matters. That is not a new concept.

We saw it emerge with the invention of the digital camera and the cell phone, when anyone with a laptop and a love of photography could call themselves “professional.” We have traveled this road of reinvention before.

But this new AI era is different.

If photography is going to remain meaningful, it must become even more experiential — not less. We must once again evolve and redefine ourselves for the future clients yet to come.

That means slowing down when needed.
Asking better questions.
Creating space for reflection, trust, and collaboration.

The most lasting work is rarely rushed. It’s created through conversation, intention, and care — through a process that honors the person being photographed, not just the image being produced.

While retail, transaction-based photography continues to fade out more and more-- experience-driven photography is what endures — and it has the potential to become more vibrant than ever before.

This is where photography moves beyond simple documentation of the day-to-day and becomes a legacy for generations to come. This is where printed artwork evolves and becomes treasured more than ever.

What Endures

Trends fade.
Tools change.
Technology evolves.

That is a fact we have lived through at The Imagery Portrait Photography.

What endures is meaning.

A portrait that carries a story.
An artwork that holds presence.
A piece created not just for today’s scroll, but for future generations.

This is the era we are stepping into — and it won’t be easy. Hiring a professional photographer is becoming less about proving why photography matters, and more about ensuring that, as professionals, we deserve to endure.

I’ll say it again: deserve to endure.

We are charged with stepping it up for our clients — or turning in our keys.

At The Imagery, this is our commitment moving forward. It’s the philosophy behind our work, and the meaning behind the words you will see us use again and again:

Preserving what matters — today and forever.

Why the Gift of Portraiture Is One of the Most Meaningful Gifts You Can Give (Plus Our Black Friday BOGO Gift Certificate Event!)

Every year, we search for gifts that feel thoughtful, personal, and lasting. Something that won’t end up in a drawer or be forgotten by New Year’s. That’s why portraiture continues to be one of the most meaningful gifts you can give—because it captures the people and relationships that matter most.

If you’ve ever held a favorite portrait from years ago—a child’s missing front teeth, a senior’s last year at home, a family gathered together—then you already know how powerful a photograph can be. Portraits become treasured heirlooms. They freeze time in a way nothing else can.

Here are a few reasons why gifting a portrait experience is such a powerful gesture:

1. It’s Personal.
A portrait session is built around the people someone loves most—family, children, pets, or even themselves for a branding refresh. It’s a gift that says, “You matter. Your story matters.”

2. It Lasts.
Long after toys break and gadgets become outdated, portraits remain. They hang on walls, sit in frames, and get passed down through generations.

3. It Creates an Experience.
A session at The Imagery isn’t just about the final image—it’s about the time spent together. Families laugh, kids play, parents are in the photos with their children instead of behind the camera. It becomes a memory in itself.

4. It Helps People Finally Do What They’ve Been Putting Off.
So many people say, “We really need to update our family portrait,” or “I’ve been meaning to get a new headshot.” A gift certificate gives them the reason—and the nudge—to finally make it happen.

5. It’s Perfect for Anyone Who ‘Doesn’t Need Anything.’
We all have those hard-to-shop-for people. A portrait gift is thoughtful, meaningful, and universally appreciated.

And now the fun part… Our Black Friday BOGO Event!
For a limited time, when you buy a $50 gift certificate, we’ll double it. Purchase up to four $50 certificates and watch your $200 instantly become $400 in portrait credit.

Buy $50 → Get $100
Buy $100 → Get $200
Buy $150 → Get $300
Buy $200 → Get $400 (maximum)

Gift them separately or bundle them together—either way, it’s an incredible value and a beautiful gift for someone you love.

Whether it’s for a family member, a friend, a grandparent, a high school senior, or the business owner in your life ready for updated branding photos, a portrait experience is a gift that lives on every time they walk past their wall art.

Black Friday begins now.
If you’d like to purchase doubled-value gift certificates, just reach out to us at the studio line at 952-890-7640 or email us at theimagerymn@aol.com and we’ll take great care of you.

Give a gift that will matter long after the holidays: the gift of portraiture.