There are many reasons why consumers are thinking they can get away with doing their own HS Senior photography. Why not? It's fun, and cameras are less expensive and better and better, and heck, you can even take great pictures on your phone nowadays.  Just set your phone to "portrait" mode and have at it, right?

Here's why we think you might be missing the boat if you try to do it on your own.

#1.  A professional knows how to light, away from the camera, and a camera only knows how to do what it's told.  In the professional world we refer to it as OCF, or "Off Camera Flash", but really "off camera" light source can be a flash, constant light, or the sun, depending on where you are.  If you don't understand how to manipulate light to properly shape the face, and light up the eyes, then you are likely to end up with flattened or extorted features, no matter what type of camera you use.

#2.  A professional knows how to pose and communicate.  One thing your camera will not do for you is tell you where to be positioned in the most flattering way, and again, working with the light.  A professional has studied how to minimize flaws and maximize strengths, and then another step further, they can communicate this with their subject.  Communication skill with the client is something that is often over-looked and a key component in a successful shoot.  If the subject isn't comfortable, or un-cooperate (working with mom or dad or uncle or friend taking the photo), and the person behind the camera really doesn't know what they should say to the subject as far as how and where to move...you won't get the same results or have the same fun experience that you would have with a pro. You could end up spending hours trying to get the right shot, instead of a minutes, seconds even, getting it right the first time.

#3.  A professional knows how to shoot with the end in mind.  Photographs aren't for sitting in your camera or phone, they are meant to be printed and shared.  The end result is that portrait that you want hanging on the wall for future generations, rather than the facebook post that will be 'shared' one day and forgotten the next. 

#4. Time is of the essence.  When doing it yourself, once the photos are taken, that's just the beginning for a professional, they continue to work with you until you have your finished prints in hand...When you are on your own, the temptation is too great to say, "oh well, I'll get around to figuring out which ones I want, and "around" to figuring out how to print those," and "around" to figuring out framing and hanging that print... "eventually".  And then the day arrives when you are panicked because you need to have it done, or, the day arrives when you end up not caring anymore... and then the day arrives when you look back, and you care again, but there is nothing to look back on...your hard-drive crashed, your cd failed, your usb is lost, etc.

I think we'll stop there because that last one is just too depressing, right?  Images lost forever.  Please hire a professional for your HS Senior photos.  It may seem "fun" to have your portraits taken with a family member, or a friend, but at the end of the day, these pictures aren't about you, they are about the generation after you, that will want to treasure those pictures forever.

To our current clients, I am preaching to the choir.  To those looking on the internet for "how tos" on "doing it yourself"... please re-consider. 

xoxo,

Stephanie and Rod at The Imagery

952-890-7640

Our first postcard mailer and facebook ads are now published!  Let the planning begin!

#1 It's never too early to call or book online.  Use the link right here on the website "book online".

Senior pictures are done between your Junior and Senior Year... and it's not too early to even start in MAY while you are still in Junior Year, but now that you are in your SENIOR year, it's really time to get scheduled... the sooner the better for more savings!

The biggest tip we can give you, is call NOW, and you will get maximum savings.  In fact, right now in June, if you have your senior session, you will save $225 off the session fee!

Not all studios offer early bird savings, but if you book your session with us NOW, and for June, 75% of your reservation ($300) will go towards your order... saving $225... If you wait until July, 50% of that reservation will be used towards your order, and 50% will be a session fee...

In addition, if ordered by July 15th,  save 10% on select coffee table albums.  Our most expensive album, the 10x10 designer book with acrylic cover, is $1295... 10% off if ordered by July 15th, that's another savings over $100.  We also will be giving away all images that you order from on social media (valued at $35 each), and free previews immediately after your session (at least 3, so another minimum of $105 value).  But that's not all! If you purchase an album, any album, you get a mobile app with if FREE, giving you all the images on your smart phone... (a $89. value).

In other words, if you like preview images on your social media platforms, like Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, and you like saving money... CALL SOON before these offers of multiple free previews disappear!

#2 Once you've called and booked for June, and paid your $300 reservation... now what?

At The Imagery we like to PLAN your session so that you get the most out of it... That could mean that you come in for a pre-consultation (optional), or at minimum, you will fill out a pre-session questionnaire where we get to know you better.  We've learned that doing a simple exercise of 'value sorting' can tell us a lot about what type of session experience you'd like, so we ask that you go to www.mybankcode.com/theimagery and play a simple card game online.  It's quick, easy and fun, and it takes just a couple minutes.  You'll get an email with results of your personality quiz, and get to learn something fun about you!  Once we get to know you better, we begin to prepare a session experience that you'll truly enjoy.

We'll send you a complete list of what to pick out for clothing... or you can bring some ideas to your optional in-person consultation as well...We also have a personal stylist that we can recommend, and she gives $25 off her regular services for consultation.  

We'll be setting you up with a makeup demonstration at the Imagery, and a makeup kit is included in your reservation for July and August sessions, or an additional $40 for May and June sessions, where the kit will be optional, but the set that you are supplied with (even boys, for skincare) is a great value, and you'll love this added bonus.

#3 Enjoy your session... tips to help you relax and trust your session is in good hands

First of all, you've got to know that you are in good hands. At The Imagery you will be working with ONE photographer, Rod Oman, who is a seven time Twin Cities Photographer of the Year award winner, and a Master, Certified, Craftsman photographer with the Professional Photographers Association of America.  Rod has been photographing seniors at The Imagery for over eighteen years, and every year is committed to continuing education and challenges which keep him at the top of the industry.  In 2017, Rod was selected to be an ambassador for Panasonic, giving him access to all the latest in camera technology for LUMIX brands.  When it comes to lighting, posing, and exposing you for camera or video, you are in good hands.... With prior planning, you might even get to work with our styling closet, have a special set created, or get to have pictures done with the drone... who knows what surprises we might have in store!

#4 Tips for ordering...and a little about budget

You will see your photos about a week after the session.  This appointment will be scheduled when you come in for your pictures, so have your appointment book handy and know everyone's schedule that will need to be decision makers at the ordering appointment.  To help you prepare for ordering, we will have instructions on how you can take pictures of your walls at home, and we will show you what your portraits look like on your walls, true to size, so you can be confident in picking just the right look for your home.  The ordering appointment just takes about an hour and a half at the most, and carefully compare each of your favorites, and Stephanie, with years of experience and hundreds of clients helped, will guide you with expert advice on options that fit your lifestyle and budget.  Most of our HS Senior clients order a proof album (but this is OPTIONAL), a proof album requires a minimum print order beforehand of $500, but that is the only minimum we have on our pricing, everything else is a la carte, and again, if $500 is not in your budget, then you do not have to order the proof album, which can vary between $150-$1375 investment.  At The Imagery we also allow payment plans, so know that you can pay 1/2 down when you place your order, and make payments on the rest.  Usually clients pay the 2nd half at the time of pick up, which is anywhere from 6-8 weeks later during our busy summer season.

#5 Pick up your order... This is why we do what we do...PRINT

At The Imagery we specialize in completing PRINT orders (not digital cds), and we do so with fine artisan finishing, from styrene mounting and lamination, to woods, metals and canvases.  Our finished portraiture is ready to hang on the wall, or mounted so that you can select framing from our collection or from the artisan framer of your choice.  When you have a print on the wall, you are reminded every day of what is important to you, and it isn't lost in cyber-space or on a hard-drive that will ultimately become corrupt and lost forever.  PRINT, it is the most important thing that we provide for you, and the most important piece of your story that you will have to pass on for generations to come.  If you insist on digital media, we do have that available as well, for a fee, and will provide you with copyright releases for those images that you select to have for your own projects.  For our HS Seniors that are active on social media, we provide social media "copies" of any image that you order a print of, as well as a mobile app that will come with your ordered proof album... The use of files on social media is NOT a permanent solution, however, and will not be the generational heirloom that they'll be able to pass on to their family in the future.

#6.... bonus... Still not sure??

We don't mind phone calls, extra emails, or tours... Contact us for a tour: 952-890-7640.  Email us with a question: theimagerymn@aol.com... We can help you plan out a budget that works for you, and show you our studio, portrait park, and product options in person.  Thank you for checking us out, and if you bring a friend, we give your friend the same specials, and you get free photos of the two of you together if your sessions are back to back!

P.P.S.... We also go on location... and we also have workshops and all digital options... We pride ourselves in creating session experiences that are tailored to what YOU want... so just let us know what you had in mind, and let's plan it together!