<p>$400. I was going to get just an 8 x 10 and have H make copies for relatives. Then I thought I needed wallets and the next thing you know it was $400 for a pkg. I liked too many poses. Son will probably not sit again for photos and the cost was not an issue. Husband asked me why I was being cheap if I really wanted the pictures. So I just did it. It seems like most of my friends spent either $300 or didn’t buy anything.</p>
<p>My senior picture was the free proof. There was never a question of my parents buying pictures so I just have the free proof. When I need a picture for a scholarship application, we just cut off the bottom that said “proof” and had a copy made. Since I still remember that 30+ years later-it probably affected my decision to buy the package.</p>
<p>My boys are fine with the school photographer while most of the girls in town prefer going to professional studios and thus spend way more money. I usually buy a less expensive package – 8X10, 5X7, and some wallets. My boys give out a few wallet photos but that’s it. At time of high school graduation, I collect 12 wallet size photos of each –
K-12 – & put it in a collage; it’s neat to see how each has changed over the years. We’ve had family photos taken professionally at family affairs and those are framed and in the house. So instead of spending $ on high school photo packages we’ve spent on other photography.</p>
<p>I never even knew people went to professional photographers…
Packages at my school ranged from 85-200+!! I had to get one of the cheaper ones because… yeah… pictures don’t need to cost that much… and we don’t need 30 wallets lol!!</p>
<p>Nothing–I ended up with a couple of photos I have framed from somewhere and a few I took with a digital camera. I think our PTA gives the students some photos as a graduation gift and also they make a video of the graduation for them. It was nice. It was free to the students.</p>
<p>Our school has a racket where they charge a $25 “sitting fee” – you can ONLY use their photographer for the yearbook photo. We bought an 8x10 of the yearbook pose, then took him to a MotoFoto place with a studio. Took all three kids and got some nice group shots, then had his taken alone, and bought what we wanted (8x10 for us, 5x7s for grands, and wallets.) Probably paid $40 for whole package, with negatives. (Good coupon!)</p>
<p>We spent much more on second son. We were overseas (he wasn’t), and couldn’t drag him around. School changed photographers, who did a much nicer job. Great photos, but they were pricey.</p>
<p>Guess that bucks the trend of spending less on second child.</p>
<p>My typical MO is to use JCPenny’s studio. I don’t know about the quality of the photos, and the results are so dependant on the “photographer” of the day. But, for around $20 and a coupon, you can get a nice size package, which includes a $10 sitting fee. Just limit yourself to one pose, and the package is typically quite large. We’ve tried to make an annual trip, and have a yearly series of shots as they “grew up”. </p>
<p>We decided to go the semi-professional route for Sr. pictures, and spent about $120. Most of the cost was the photographer’s time, because we ordered very few photos. They were good, we just knew we didn’t need a drawer full of extras. I think we purchased (2) 8x10’s, (4) 4X6 for family, and about (24 or 32) wallets – many of which he traded with friends. The “semi-professional” was someone who takes photos for a hobby, but is quite good. They were also much more flexible than a studio, and met us at a favorite park.</p>
<p>Kids at our school all go to professional studios with one in particular being recommended by the school. Pictures are casual in either indoor or outdoor settings with most going with outdoor poses. We spent about $500 which includes a large framed portrait that hangs in our 2-story entranceway staircase. We have done this for both older boys and will follow with the same for the youngest next year.</p>
<p>My wife is an amateur - but much published - photographer and did the senior photos of our son. (As an aside, several of her photos are used to illustrate a feature article today in the Colorado Springs Gazette.)</p>
<p>Then my son got involved this summer, doing some senior photos for some rising seniors and making a few extra bucks for college.</p>
<p>I have to say we didn’t get trad senior pics
her school ( private) did give class pictures which is beautiful- they don’t wear cap and gowns but the girls wear formal dresses and the boys just try and get cleaned up! ( 18 in the class) but it actually was a pretty stressful season- unconnected with her graduation- and while I intended on having both her and her sister have studio pictures taken- her sister absolutely refuses- and we never did get formal pic
we do have informal ones though</p>
<p>Hmmm. I wonder if this variation could be regional. I went to high school in WA state. EVERYONE had their senior pictures done by a professional, outside photographer, and then submitted their picture to the yearbook. At my S’s high school (Idaho) the yearbook picture is required to be a head shot: tuxedos for guys and “black drape” (looks like an evening gown) for girls. They have an outside photographer come to the school, provide the clothing for the pics, and have all seniors have their pictures taken on a certain day. This is so every student will have a similar picture in the yearbook, and I think so the yearbook staff does not have to worry about private pictures getting there on time, kids not dressing to standard, etc. There is no charge, but they will give families the opportunity to purchase pkgs of this pose. We had already scheduled S’s private session before I learned of this, but it didn’t matter; I had this done when I was a kid and enjoyed it!
BTW, most kids here do get their pictures done privately for family, grad announcements, trading with friends.</p>
<p>We went professional…a former neighbor…spent more than I intended, because I knew her and wanted to support her… but, the positive aspect is that she took 1 picture that is just fabulous… I love the pose, the genuine happiness that is in the shot… so that I feel like I received a gift… all the threads about missing our kids… whenever I feel the absence I look at this picture (8X10) and I feel my own joy and pride about this child… like the mastercard commercials, the picture is priceless to me…</p>