bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by bethany102399 on May 27, 2023 18:14:19 GMT
So with the end of the school year I've now got a senior in HS in my house. She's very anxious about what will come after high school, so we've been slowly doing things like college visits and talking about ideas for grad parties as she attends them for this year's crop of graduating seniors (things like what did you like, what did you not like that she sees at friend's parties).
I'm a planner, coupled with knowing I can't throw all this at her at once I was thinking about having her senior photos done over the summer. We have an amazing museum out here that has a dinosaur exhibit and we could get some fun photos with the dinosaurs which are a huge thing for her. The outside has a stunning stained glass wall that would be a beautiful backdrop for the more "posed" photos. I keep remembering my own senior year photos which were set up through the school and the photographer yelled at me for wearing contacts. No changes of clothes, no pieces of personality like they do now. The soft, posed shots with of course my late 80s/early 90s hair.
Is having them done this summer too early? I'd like to check things off slowly throughout the year and I know it's going to be a whirlwind between college applications and senior events with the school, especially as we hit the new year.
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Post by huskermom98 on May 27, 2023 18:24:08 GMT
Summer is not too early, especially depending how busy your fall looks. I know our yearbook wanted senior photos by March, but that was the only "deadline" regarding any photos. I thought about scheduling DS's photos during summer, but he was always busy with baseball and then football. I ended up squeezing it in on a day off in late September that thankfully was a nice day because the gal only does outdoor photos (no studio, but I love her work and we love her because she used to babysit the boys so I wanted to use her).
But I definitely encourage you to spread things out as much as possible...the year will go fast...signed, a mom who's oldest graduates tomorrow morning!
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Post by littlemama on May 27, 2023 18:34:21 GMT
We did DS in late August. There were plenty of people who had them done sooner and others who had them done later!
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Post by KikiPea on May 27, 2023 18:47:37 GMT
I did mine during my jr year.
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Post by katlady on May 27, 2023 19:11:17 GMT
I did mine right after school started in September. The boys had theirs done in the summer.
ETA - This was at a time when we had little control over our Senior pictures. They had to be done in a certain studio, with and without a cap and gown.
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Post by MichyM on May 27, 2023 19:15:35 GMT
We did October as my son wanted fall colors in both his clothing and the locations.
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Post by Linda on May 27, 2023 19:16:00 GMT
The yearbook pics for seniors are done over the summer with makeups in late August (school here starts early Aug).
I'm already seeing 'book now' ads locally for senior pictures (for those who want to do separate from the school)
I think summer is perfect
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,341
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Post by amom23 on May 27, 2023 19:18:59 GMT
MY kids all took theirs in August right before school started. I had to book with the photographer in the Spring for my date as they filled up so fast.
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Post by chaosisapony on May 27, 2023 19:40:14 GMT
It's more common here to do them in the late fall but that's really just because it's so hot in the summer and people are obsessed with fall leaf colors. I know it's very common in other areas to do them in the summer before Senior year starts though.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 27, 2023 20:05:46 GMT
Summer is extremely common around here. I think they're due for the year book in October or thereabouts, so some wait into the fall, but often photographers just straight up run out of open spots.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,548
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Post by bethany102399 on May 27, 2023 20:19:49 GMT
I've reached out to the museum, and will touch base with the photographer who is also a co-worker. Thanks for the advice, I hesitate to bring it up too much with my daughter as it brings on her anxiety. This gives the planner in me anxiety lol.
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Post by 950nancy on May 27, 2023 20:50:22 GMT
Find out when they are due to the yearbook. Both of my kids took them in September/October for an October 31st deadline. I have taken senior pictures for seniors in August and that was a great time too. They weren't in school yet and much happier.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 27, 2023 20:51:03 GMT
I've reached out to the museum, and will touch base with the photographer who is also a co-worker. Thanks for the advice, I hesitate to bring it up too much with my daughter as it brings on her anxiety. This gives the planner in me anxiety lol. Unsolicited advice, but if your kid has anxiety around all this really, truly prioritize what actually needs to be done. One of mine was very into everything - one was NOT. It wasn't even anxiety, just different personality and an added weird covid year. He refused senior pictures - okey dokey, saved me $$$$ and we snapped a pic of him to submit to the year book ourselves. One had a blow out fun joint grad party with 3 friends and like 300 guests - other one had no party and we went out to dinner. Kids are different and if they're not into being the center of attention, sometimes these fun traditions just aren't fun for them. We bailed on 90% of it for my son and it worked out just fine. |
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Deleted
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Jun 16, 2024 5:22:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2023 23:18:40 GMT
Summer isn't too early but good photographers book up fast. In the next month or so, most schools send out a list of important dates for seniors. On there is usually the yearbook picture submission deadline. My kids' school was mid-December. Another school was mid-October. I remember one of my cousins having a deadline in April for pictures. You'll have to take the photographer's turnaround into consideration and if they'll submit your choice for you or if you need to do that. A fall deadline calls for a lot of summer pictures. A December deadline meant that kids could have fall pictures (which is beautiful here).
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Post by twistedscissors on May 28, 2023 0:43:15 GMT
A lot of the photographers here do a senior year package. That usually includes a couple different sessions like one in summer and one in fall then a cap and gown type session at the end of year.
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on May 28, 2023 14:02:22 GMT
Dd had her headshots and other poses done by the professional the school hired for yearbook photos done in July. It was ran from July to Aug.
Then I did her cap and gown photos in May when she received her items.
We went to a local park then to each school she went to - elementary, jr high, and her high school. Took various pictures by front building with sign, next to playground, and for high school by the cool art wall out front.
She loves those pictures the most as it shows her journey.
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Post by SallyPA on May 28, 2023 14:15:31 GMT
We did them in summer for one girl and early fall for the other.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by iowgirl on May 28, 2023 14:20:24 GMT
Observing other peoples parties for ideas or 'don'ts' is a great idea!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on May 28, 2023 14:27:42 GMT
We did them in late summer/right before Labor Day for my older two. They have to have a photo in to the yearbook committee by some time in October so needed to be done before that. It was also better to take them when the weather was not too hot or too cold. I have seen several of my cousin's kids have a photo shoot in their cap and gown recently and really like those, but doubt my son will want to take any besides after the ceremony.
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Post by freecharlie on May 28, 2023 15:04:00 GMT
I think it is regional. Here the senior pictures go into the yearbook and are due by October, so you want them done by the end of August at the latest so the photographer can edit the pictures in time.
Other places they dont use them in the yearbook and they wait until 2nd semester
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,548
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Post by bethany102399 on May 28, 2023 17:47:21 GMT
Unsolicited advice, but if your kid has anxiety around all this really, truly prioritize what actually needs to be done. That's one of the things I've been very conscious of. She wants photos, but not in a professional studio. She wants a party, but not a big blowout just a casual thing where friends can come and go as they wish. My mother, for whom Emily Post was the gold standard of how to do things, is rolling in her grave. I kept a close eye on senior events as they happened this year, and the tactic that has seemed to work well is how important is doing xyz to you? There are a TON of senior events happening right at the end of the school year. I figure I'll offer and if it's important to me (having grandparents at the graduation ceremony is non negotiable, having an open house party is) then we'll talk about it. I don't want this to be a source of stress, but I do want to have some memories tied to this milestone event. |
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Post by redshoes on May 28, 2023 19:35:04 GMT
Definitely do pics in summer or early fall, just to have them out of the way. Some of our friends did cap and gown pics in the spring for the graduation announcements and/or party invites.
We did my daughter's grad party yesterday - in the morning 10a-12p, brunch style and the kids loved it. No one else had a morning party and they loved that the food was breakfast. We did fruit platter and mini-everything else...muffins, donut holes, cinnamon rolls, quiche, egg/potato/cheese bites, chic-fil-a nuggets, etc.
Senior year can be very overwhelming with the To Do List and very emotional with the "lasts" for your child. As her mom, my focus has been in the moment, enjoying each bit to the fullest. I'll have time later to cry and be sad.
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belgiangal
Shy Member
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Post by belgiangal on May 29, 2023 11:54:43 GMT
We did my son’s senior pics in July (school starts mid Aug) before things got busy and before fall sports.
One thing we did with both senior pics and grad party idea was I would got through Pinterest and save a ton of ideas to a board then show him the board. He would thumbs up/thumbs down each item and I would delete all the thumbs down pins. This helped us figure out what he wanted without being too overwhelming. He had opinions just didn’t really know what they were or how to express them until he saw examples. Just a thought that might help manage anxiety for both of you 🙂
Hang on tight this next year will be a blur!
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Post by littlemama on May 29, 2023 14:11:02 GMT
Unsolicited advice, but if your kid has anxiety around all this really, truly prioritize what actually needs to be done. That's one of the things I've been very conscious of. She wants photos, but not in a professional studio. She wants a party, but not a big blowout just a casual thing where friends can come and go as they wish. My mother, for whom Emily Post was the gold standard of how to do things, is rolling in her grave. I kept a close eye on senior events as they happened this year, and the tactic that has seemed to work well is how important is doing xyz to you? There are a TON of senior events happening right at the end of the school year. I figure I'll offer and if it's important to me (having grandparents at the graduation ceremony is non negotiable, having an open house party is) then we'll talk about it. I don't want this to be a source of stress, but I do want to have some memories tied to this milestone event. Most grad parties are open houses where people just come and go. Often there is a specific meal time stated, but if there are a ton of grad parties that same day, a lot of the kids will eat wherever they are when they get hungry. I suspect that her worries are not necessarily the senior year activities, but the future. She needs reassurance that no one has their shit together at 18 and that even her friends who seem like they have it all together are just as anxious as she is. |
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sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by sweetpeasmom on May 29, 2023 14:26:24 GMT
We did dd's (c/o 22) just before school started that year. She wanted them outside and didn't want to wait until fall. Based on timing and all, that was just when we could get them done. I would have liked to do them a little earlier because it was so flippin' hot that day! I think many do them during the summer or shortly after the beginning of the school year because they want to get them back, photographers start filling up for weddings and holiday shoots, etc.
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styxgirl
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Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on May 29, 2023 15:02:13 GMT
I have two girls that are quite opposite! DD#1 had her pics planned for August before the school year started. She booked the photographer, locations, had friends there to help, planned outfits, cap and gown shoot in the spring, etc ... All I had to do was write the check and show up on the day. LOL!
Now, DD#2 ... Just a little different! LOL I suggested, reminded, bugged and NAGGED that kid to get something worked out for her pictures! LOL! She just wasn't interested in the planning part like her sister was. So, I engaged her sister to help! LOL! I am a very amateur photographer and we got through it and ended up with a handful of awesome photos that we could use in APRIL for the girl graduating in MAY! LOL!
My main motivation for DD#2 was to tell her she didn't want her school pic in the yearbook, right? That's what they use if they don't get a senior photo submitted.
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Post by melanell on May 30, 2023 0:25:18 GMT
Around here people always take them the summer before senior year begins, or at the very latest fall of senior year. But the deadline for the yearbook photo tends to be early in winter, so fall is as late as you can wait. And if you want fall outdoor pics in our area, you need to make your appointment way ahead of time, because fall foliage pics are popular.
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Post by silverlining on May 30, 2023 16:11:33 GMT
My dd didn't want senior photos. She only wanted to do the required in-studio photo for the yearbook. In the spring of her senior year, I asked if I could take a casual photo in our backyard and she agreed. Doing things early would not have worked for her at all. She just didn't want a lot of hullabaloo and focus on her for the whole year.
Fortunately in our area of the US, there isn't a tradition of each kid having an open house. Her group of friends wanted a group party, so the parents organized a pizza party and bonfire at the beach. The adults provided the food and took turns during the day sitting at the prime fire pit to "reserve" it for the evening party.
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