For those with soon to be Seniors in high school

[DebMcDonald]

What an expensive year it's going to be, but we have senior pictures scheduled at our school on Thursday morning for the yearbook picture and we're strugging for what my DD will wear. The paperwork that we got from school says that a solid color is better but really limits your options and we went shopping yesterday and everything was a print or pattern, etc.

What are you kids wearing? Or if you have one that just graduated what did your DD wear?

Thanks!

 

[splash5]

My son got the same specifications for what to wear - for the guys it is a shirt and tie (jacket if they want) - solids. Not as hard for the guys, but I feel your pain.

 

[pklein09]

I graduated in 1985, and we did drapes. They don't do drapes anymore for the girls???

 

[disneymomto5]

My son just had his photos done last week. In his school he wore the tuxedo drape for the yearbook and then they could wear extra outfits if they wanted for an additional cost. He wore a solid color polo in one of his school colors (teal), but other kids there wore a shirt and tie, or sweater. Some kids wore a cheerleading outfit or school uniform.

 

[Boardwalk Gal]

your school does not do cap/gown pics?? My daughter last year who was a senior wore cap/gown, and drape and then just a solid color top for yearbook/ID pic.. Thank goodness i had it easy!!

 

[MrsPete]

We do tux-and-drape pictures for the yearbook, but students have the chance to bring in extra changes of clothes for their additional pictures.

In general, I do suggest that you put the effort into finding something nice in a SOLID color. It'll look less dated, more timeless in future years.

If you're talking about a head-and-shoulders close-up, long-sleeved solids really are best. You want the senior's FACE to be the center of attention, and solid-colored clothing just sort of "disappears" in a close-up. This is a conservative-type picture, so I'd go with something very basic like navy or gray. White-white can be a bit stark . . . or, if you're using a white background, white-white can disappear. Pink is a nice basic for a girl, and if the background is dark, a bright pink can be nice.

On the other hand, you're probably also doing some casual pictures, and you can go a bit crazy with these:

If you're talking about a half-body or full-body shot for a girl (either indoors or outdoors), I'd go with a little sundress in EITHER a solid OR a small print. In that case, there's "enough" of the print that it doesn't detract from the picture. Don't forget a nice piece of jewelry, and either little flip-flops or bare feet.

And, as someone else suggested, do consider props. Lots of boys like to have a senior picture made with their cars. Letter jackets are also popular. Well-behaved dogs have made their pictures into more than one senior picture at my school. Artistic kids like to bring in their favorite instrument, an easel with a piece of artwork, or something else that's special to them. I remember one girl who had her picture made with a surfboard. My daughter's planning to have her picture made with her stack of Harry Potter books and her wand. (She doesn't own robes, and I won't buy them -- I think that's a bit too much.) In a few years, I know my youngest will want to have a casual picture made in her martial arts uniform -- maybe showcasing the belts she's earned over the years. BRING whatever you're thinking of; the photographer will likely have good ideas for you, and at the worst you just set the item aside.

You don't usually pay for your senior pictures 'til after you've seen the proofs, so all you have to lose is the sitting fee. I'm willing to pay the $15 fee . . . and if I'm not happy with the casual pictures, we'll go have some made elsewhere.

 

[DebMcDonald]

Thanks for all the suggestions. They do not do any drapes, maybe there is a cap and gown drape, but if so I guess we won't know that until we get there. She did pick out a sun dress for the outside shot, unfortunately she went shopping without me this weekend which was a step in the wrong direction.... so I'm thinking of going out without her tonight and see what I can come home with something on my own. The actual senior picture for the yearbook has to be a solid colored (suggested) shoulder and head shot and then the additional shots can be anything that we want and depending on how many shots you want and pictures taken is depending on the price of the sitting free, most expensive sitting fee is $50.

 

[Sandy61]

We do tux-and-drape pictures for the yearbook, but students have the chance to bring in extra changes of clothes for their additional pictures.

In general, I do suggest that you put the effort into finding something nice in a SOLID color. It'll look less dated, more timeless in future years.

If you're talking about a head-and-shoulders close-up, long-sleeved solids really are best. You want the senior's FACE to be the center of attention, and solid-colored clothing just sort of "disappears" in a close-up. This is a conservative-type picture, so I'd go with something very basic like navy or gray. White-white can be a bit stark . . . or, if you're using a white background, white-white can disappear. Pink is a nice basic for a girl, and if the background is dark, a bright pink can be nice.

On the other hand, you're probably also doing some casual pictures, and you can go a bit crazy with these:

If you're talking about a half-body or full-body shot for a girl (either indoors or outdoors), I'd go with a little sundress in EITHER a solid OR a small print. In that case, there's "enough" of the print that it doesn't detract from the picture. Don't forget a nice piece of jewelry, and either little flip-flops or bare feet.

And, as someone else suggested, do consider props. Lots of boys like to have a senior picture made with their cars. Letter jackets are also popular. Well-behaved dogs have made their pictures into more than one senior picture at my school. Artistic kids like to bring in their favorite instrument, an easel with a piece of artwork, or something else that's special to them. I remember one girl who had her picture made with a surfboard. My daughter's planning to have her picture made with her stack of Harry Potter books and her wand. (She doesn't own robes, and I won't buy them -- I think that's a bit too much.) In a few years, I know my youngest will want to have a casual picture made in her martial arts uniform -- maybe showcasing the belts she's earned over the years. BRING whatever you're thinking of; the photographer will likely have good ideas for you, and at the worst you just set the item aside.

You don't usually pay for your senior pictures 'til after you've seen the proofs, so all you have to lose is the sitting fee. I'm willing to pay the $15 fee . . . and if I'm not happy with the casual pictures, we'll go have some made elsewhere.

I agree...try to find a great fitted longsleeve shirt that she looks great in. Even if it has a faint pin stripe, that would be ok. A man's shirt can be fitted to her body or even just use safety pins in the back to make it look like it was tailored.

My son was very stubborn and did not want pictures (the school would provide standard ones free). At the last minute in the middle of a snowstorm he agreed to go to Walmart...ugh. The pictures are fantastic! He wore a light sage-green shirt and tie and the photographer was great at getting many good shots. We ordered quite a few. She had him sitting on the floor and took one above him as he looked up that is our favorite. He has one with his baritone. She was very creative and took a long time. No one else was there in the snowstorm. The one he chose for the yearbook was a standard looking one and we framed the others.

Almost every senior shot I've seen they are wearing very basic shirts. White, black, pink and even some with a jean jacket.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I guess I'm lucky. Our high school is still old fashioned.

Boys wear a specific dark suit jacket and white button down shirt.

They use the drape for girls. I believe it's black.
I think the yearbook pictures are also in black and white for the seniors.

I hope it doesn't change before my son graduates. I love that classic look.

And if my son wants to do some casual shots with props, I'm sure he'll want his xbox in there somewhere. Yuck.

 

[Anne34]

My daughter did her pictures last summer with 3 outfits. She did a navy 3/4 sleeve shirt for the yearbook photo and then a purple short sleeve shirt and a cute Hollister tank (with cami) for her fun pictures. I loved her fun ones the best -- they turned out great! I plain shirt for the yearbook was also fine.

We had a hard time finding plain shirts that were still stylish. Most stores had lots of patterns and lots of sleeveless. We finally went to TJ Maxx and found a couple cute shirts for a lot less money then we spent for the others (which we returned!)

 

[sk!mom]

My daughter's planning to have her picture made with her stack of Harry Potter books and her wand. (She doesn't own robes, and I won't buy them -- I think that's a bit too much.)

Promise her robes for her college grad picture!

My DS26's school did tux and drape for the yearbook pic. He then did extra shots just wearing jeans, t-shirt, and letter jacket, violin, and tuba.
His high school interests.

 

[dougsmom98]

Does your DD have a yearbook from last year???? Take a look at those photos to see what looks good. If she doesn't have one, sometimes the local libraries get a copy of the yearbooks over the years. Also, just type in senior pictures and do a google search. A lot of companies post a gallery of photos and that will give you some ideas.

 

[DebMcDonald]

Does your DD have a yearbook from last year???? Take a look at those photos to see what looks good. If she doesn't have one, sometimes the local libraries get a copy of the yearbooks over the years. Also, just type in senior pictures and do a google search. A lot of companies post a gallery of photos and that will give you some ideas.

Thanks I'll google search, unfortunately our school does not offer yearbooks to the underclassman only the graduating class, but our high school has a little over 4000 students. I did pick up something at American Eagle tonight, classic blue button up with a little detailing on the front, so worse case this may work.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Ds graduated this year. Yes it gets expensive. They did three types of pictures. Tux and Black Dresses, a regular outfit and later Cap and Gowns. The tux pictures were in the year book. The tux and regular outfit pictures were VERY expensive and not that great. Cap and gowns were not great but not too expensive, We bought just the cap and gown. Most people around here do an outside person for senior pictures to really get what they want at a better price.

 

[eatatmidnight]

I have a daughter who will be a senior too. She wore a solid colored top for her yearbook picture. Remember that you don't have to get all of her pics taken there. The school requires the yearbook pic be taken there. But, you can often beat the price as well as the quality of photographer by going to a different photographer for her cute pics.

 

[kellydizfan]

Lifetouch did our senior pictures for this year back in May. I had to pay to get anymore than the 1 picture for the yearbook. I paid $25 to get a total of 16 proofs done that can't be repoduced or used which stinks. She had a white cap and gown (school does royal blue) don't know why they used white, guys I think my DD stated were black. Then they did the drape for the school year book picture and then one outfit of choice. She did a solid color polo (green) with a white short ruffled skirt and brown and green sandles. They came out really nice. So hard to choose them. I haven't ordered any yet and I have had the pictures almost a month now. The cheapest package is well over $100 for like 4 or 6 small pictures. One picture is $55.00. I do want an 8x10 of one of them. I normally don't like the drape but dd's came out very nice. Then I want the cap and gown also even though it is white. We will see.

 

[Lex33]

Right before school ended I looked at the yearbook. The picture is so small that I am not going to worry about the clothes. My son is less than enthusiastic for this process. I would see if the school office is opened to take a look at a few past yearbooks.

The strongly suggested photographer offers a wide array of package options from inexpensive to crazy. We will be taking just the senior portrait option.

 

[Aliceacc]

Total hijack, but just in case it comes in handy:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2748349

 

[DebMcDonald]

Total hijack, but just in case it comes in handy:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2748349

Thanks for hyjacking This is so very helpful. This is child #1 for me, so by the time I get to #2 & #3 I'll be in expert, but with this one I'm just lost on all this college stuff so any information is GREAT information.

 

[Leigha]

At our high school the kids have to go to one studio for the yearbook picture. I think we will for sure go with a solid dress type outfit for that. I would not, however, let that studio do what I feel are the real senior photos. I feel like this is the last chance for good photos. I'm debating on photographers now and considering prices, locations they have or will travel to and how many clothing changes there can be. I have a DD, can you tell?! For my first DD photos, they wanted solid clothing and something with long sleeves for at least some of the photos. We didn't have all their rules so we had some prints but did have a denim jacket in the mix for the sleeves thing. I just want the clothing to not compete or steal the show of the photo away from her natural beauty. I also don't want to look at them in 5, 10, 20 and 40 years later and say, "What was I thinking?!" on a major scale! My thought now is on the price as some of the photographers say that you can get the cd of the photos for a price, which is usually high, $300, $400 and $500. I knew I couldn't afford that plus the package but then my niece asked if I couldn't just do the cd. Hmmmm..... Possibly a great idea! I do a lot of photo products with Snapfish & Shutterfly etc. so the release could be important. I think that this might be the way to go. Have any of you ever done this??