How to Take Senior Class Photos

Use your own camera and techniques favored by professionals to save money on senior portraits.

A student's senior year in high school is a memorable event marked by traditional activities. Along with prom, class rings and career days, your child will want her photograph taken by a professional to commemorate this year. Unfortunately, hiring a photographer can cost hundreds of dollars. With a little camera know-how, however, you can take your own shots to submit to the yearbook and share with friends.

Things You'll Need

• Digital camera
• Clothing changes
• Tripod

Instructions

1. Choose a digital camera with a "portrait" mode. Included on many point-and-shoot models and DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras, this feature allows you to focus on the main subject while gently blurring the background.

2. Pick a number of scenic locations for your senior class photos. Wooded areas, streams, bridges, railroad tracks, old building entrances and fields of wildflowers provide appropriate backgrounds. Avoid places with busy and detailed backgrounds that will distract from the student.

3. Bring three or more clothing changes. Choose flattering outfits and your high school band, cheerleading or football uniform. Be sure to include any relevant accessories to make your photos special -- a tennis racket, musical instrument, letter jacket or any club-related items that pertain to your high school experience.

4. Start early. Professional photographers schedule outdoor portrait sessions right after sunrise for the most favorable lighting. Soft, filtered rays enhance skin tones and create a flattering effect. On an overcast day, you can take photos anytime because the clouds act as a huge portrait filter.

5. Back up and zoom in. A photograph taken too closely to a subject may result in barrel distortion, causing the middle of the face -- usually the nose -- to appear larger. Correct this by backing away from the model at least 10 feet and using the zoom feature on the camera to get a close-up shot.

6. Use a tripod. For sharp senior class photos, don't attempt to hold the camera by hand. No matter how still you try to stand, you will move slightly and that movement will result in fuzzy photos. If you still have trouble, try setting the automatic timer to keep from pushing the shutter with your finger. Alternatively, many new digital cameras have remote controls.

7. Take many shots. Use a media card with a large storage capacity and start shooting. Check the playback mode occasionally to see if the lighting is correct. Shoot most of your photos at eye level for a flattering effect.

8. Consider uploading your best shots to an online photo enhancement and developing service for professional retouching (see Resources). Alternately, use a photo-editing program to remove blemishes and create special effects.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring combs, hairspray and makeup to the shoot.

• Try some shots with the rising sun behind the model, gently illuminating her hair from behind.

References

• Connected Photographer; Do-it-yourself high school senior portraits; Allie McComas