Why are senior photos important? Top 6 reasons to have professional photos taken.
As a parent and photographer who recently sent their daughter off to college, let me help you with first hand experience of the process and create an heirloom of your child’s senior year.
— MONICA
Take deep breaths. The answer I received after I asked one of my dearest friends how he managed to send his daughter off to college last year. He said it was like ripping his heart out of his chest. Graduating high school stirs up a mix of emotions. Of course, you feel proud, but you also feel a sense of loss. They’re leaving the nest, your home, and beginning their adventure into adulthood without you. But beyond taking deep breaths, picking up a new hobby, and contacting them whenever possible, he also mentioned getting senior portraits of his daughter brought happiness to a heart-wrenching situation. Receiving a beautifully matted portrait of that moment you shared with them touches your heart every time you look at it. And this is one of the best reasons for the question, “Why are senior photos important? Let's dive in to discuss every reason and why you won’t want to miss out on receiving your senior portraits.
1. They give you exquisite photos to love
If you’re anything like me, or the parents I’ve met, you probably have a million photos stored on your phone.
But there’s always a problem when you look back at them. They’re either out of focus because you quickly take them before your teenager rolls their eyes at you, or you're at a loss of how to store them.
Phones can only keep a certain number of photos before they need to be imported to another device. But computers crash and USB ports don’t exist anymore on new computers or laptops. And CDs? Do you even remember those?
That’s the challenge with old technology - it’s not always reliable. But our portraits are tangible. You receive a professional in-focus portrait that you place on your wall and enjoy for generations to come. You also receive the best of both worlds - a physical heirloom and a matching digital file.
2. They celebrate your children’s accomplishments
You and your child’s life has been full of accomplishments up until this pivotal moment. Their first steps, first words, the terrible twos that go well into puberty (let’s be honest), their middle school years of transformation, and their high school days that prepare them for adulthood.
It’s a lot of memories and accomplishments that often go uncaptured.
Yet senior portraits offer that special opportunity where you get to celebrate your children’s wins and every moment of their expanding growth. It points the spotlight on them but also on you too.
You were there holding their hand, witnessing their life from the beginning and shaping them into the adult they are today. They’re unique, their own person, and they deserve a moment that celebrates them as they are, and you deserve a moment to celebrate the person you’ve helped them become.
3. They give you another memory before they leave
Senior year happens far too quickly. Before the holidays, college applications are completed and sent out, essays are written left and right, and holiday preparations are underway.
It almost seems after the holidays, time speeds up even more. How is it possible? College acceptance letters arrive, prom outfits are chosen, college tours are scheduled, final test prep looms, and then GRADUATION HAPPENS.
Before you know it, you’re packing the car and sending your children off. Every parent I talk to wishes they had more special moments with their children. Thankfully, senior portraits allow you to do that.
You watch, participate, and help your children celebrate this transition between childhood and adulthood. And you get to receive an heirloom to look back on and remember.
Even when my own daughter graduated, I captured her senior photos and now have images of my beautiful girl. I picked up the large wall art piece from the framer for our living room. I can’t stop looking at it. My little girl. My little opihi. My artist. My young adult. My college student. The flood of memories.
4. They are the last chance to get photos taken
Similar to the previous reason, senior year is a huge occasion. While you think you will remember all the moments forever, you may be surprised how quickly you forget everything and how the door to take photos of your child quickly closes.
When you’re pregnant, this time is about you and the beauty developing within. Don’t you wish you captured this moment?
2 years old is where the magic begins, all the make-believe happens, princess dresses, fireman uniforms, and superhero costumes - ample opportunities to photograph. But unfortunately, many parents realize they waited too long and missed it.
Ist-grade to 5th grade happens in a blink of an eye
Middle school is a time of physical transformation and surging hormones. It’s a bit difficult to get photos taken.
Coming-of-age photos, including Sweet 16, quinceañera, and Bar Mitzvah, are great to capture.
But before you realize it, the next chance to receive photos is their wedding day.
Senior portraits are your opportunity to receive an heirloom of your child’s life and for you to enjoy as the proud parent.
5. They offer teachable moments
As parents, we never receive a shortage of teachable moments, they’re in surplus! And senior portraits offer no exceptions. They teach your children a few lessons; the value of self-care and time to reflect and celebrate.
Receiving a day that focuses on them shows them the importance of self-love, self-appreciation, and taking time to value yourself no matter the obstacles they face. Life can get challenging, and reflecting inwards and prioritizing time to love ourselves is a lesson we all should practice.
The other lesson is to celebrate your accomplishments. We’re always in a constant rush to accomplish one goal after another, and we rarely take the time to celebrate our progress. Senior portraits teach your children to appreciate the present moment and value their strengths, efforts, and success.
These lessons are fundamental in their adulthood and will serve them as they flourish within their education and careers.
6. The sessions are fun
Last but not least, they’re fun! Your seniors get all dolled up with professional hair and makeup, get photographed in a beautiful indoor studio or even an outdoor tropical garden, and enjoy themselves.
Your photographer will also create a stress-free environment for you and your teenager. For example, they'll encourage you to bring what makes your senior them (sports uniforms, artistic attire, haku leis, etc.) while also providing a small curated wardrobe, high-end studio lighting, and of course, the reveal! Beautiful images you, the photographer, and your senior create together.
Whether your senior is a star school performer or a little uncomfortable in front of the camera, posing guidance will also be given at their comfort level to elevate your images. Their senior portrait experience will be fun and memorable from start to finish.
Our journey. From a little bundle of love then off to college. I’m so happy that I created this work of art for us. It went by too quickly.
— MONICA
Let’s begin and create photos for you and your seniors
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons that answer the question, "Why are senior photos important?"
At my studio, based in Kailua, Hawaii, I love creating a space that captures every reason in this article while ensuring my mission is reflected - Bring out the self-confidence, strength, and joy in all my clients.
I also print your image, which solves the annoying technological issue of never having in-focus photos of your children. You receive products that are your heirlooms meant to last for generations.
They also come with the bonus of a matching digital file to have the best of both worlds; tradition and modernity. We love printed and beautifully matted portraits and believe they are the best memento for you and your senior to look back on and remember a wonderful experience both of you shared.
If you have any questions or you’re excited to receive your senior portraits, schedule a call with me. I can’t wait to help you with this next chapter.
While taking deep breaths certainly helps saying goodbye to your children, receiving their senior portrait will help you ease the transition.
As a parent myself, I know what you're going through. Graduating high school and sending your child off on the next chapter of their lives are distinct moments parents never forget. Where did the time go, you probably ask yourself? One moment you're guiding them through elementary, and the next, they're an independent adult, no longer needing you to assist their growth. When I sent my daughter to college, I knew I needed one last experience we could share. And as a photographer, senior portraits are that final experience where your child becomes your little one again, dancing in front of the camera, asking for your input, and wanting your support. Yet when the experience ends, and they shift back into an excited young adult motivated to leave the nest and branch out, you still have an heirloom to remember who they were and who they've always been, your child.