The portrait industry has definitely realized that “senior portraits” are a perfect money-making opportunity. With prices ranging from anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars for portrait packages, quality senior photographs can be so expensive as to be a financial strain or even an impossibility for many families. Whether you are a photographer looking to pad your wallet by getting in on this lucrative niche or a family wanting to take your own professional quality portraits to save valuable money, the following tips will set you on the path to yearbook success.

Get professional hair and makeup applied.

In many photography studios, these can be bought as part of a package. If this is not available, look for ‘makeover’ deals at local salons. Whether you are taking pictures at home or going to a professional, having a flawless, expert look to start with will have a definite effect on the quality of the finished product.

Think variety.

You will want not just a lot of poses, but a wide variety of settings, at least several outfits, and many, many pictures of every pose. These should include not just stereotypical outdoors shots (almost everyone has a photo of themselves leaning against a tree trunk), but pictures in uncommon areas such as an abandoned warehouse. Look for interesting backgrounds with unusual lines and interesting shapes. Be sure to include a few formal pictures against a plain black background. A word of advice: do not delete any pictures during the photo shoot itself; many that at first seem unusable can be combined into collages or airbrushed later to create a stunning finished product.

Choose outfits carefully.

The senior in question may need some guidance when it comes to this area, because what is fashionable that week may not coincide with what looks best in pictures. Generally, the outfits at hand should include one formal outfit, a few relaxed, everyday outfits, and any other outfits that uniquely express the teen’s personality and interests (such as a cheerleading uniform or sports jersey). It’s important that these be different colors and shapes so they can be used with a variety of backgrounds. Between five and ten different choices is usually just right. As a bonus, changing outfits provides a needed break from the actual session and helps the subject get into a whole new mood.

Edit carefully.

All teens have imperfections, but few want to record them for all posterity. Don’t let a perfect portrait be ruined by a little shine or a few pimples when there is Photoshop and a variety of other photo editing programs. As a bonus, teens and parents will both be happier with shots that show the subject with unnaturally perfect skin, smooth hair, and gleaming white teeth. If a particular shot seems hopeless, try changing it to sepia or black and white, or otherwise editing the color.

Put your subject at ease.

A yearbook picture can make or break a kid’s reputation, and they know it well. Most seniors will come into their portrait session nervous and stiff. Because adolescents tend to think that they always know best, invite them to be part of your ‘team’ and work together for the best possible end result. A other few ideas to put them at ease: talking about their interests, playing a few of their favorite CD’s from home, letting close friends come along for a supportive audience, and showing the teen a few of the best shots throughout the session to boost their confidence. Having a content and relaxed adolescent will make it infinitely easier to get professional quality, relaxed pictures.

Capture the subject’s personality.

There naturally should be some posed, traditional shots, but most of your pictures should be reflective of the teen’s interests. Let a budding flower child romp in a field and the born city girl find a comfortable spot in town. Keeping the teen in their natural element will result in better pictures and less frustration for everyone involved.

Assume natural poses as much as possible.

There are a handful of senior portrait standards that require rather unnatural poses, but these should be in the minority. It’s generally preferable for the teen to take positions that feel good to them, even if they are not the stereotypically preferred portrait poses. Tucking hands in pockets or leaning against a wall are both natural positions that will feel and look great. Feel free to let the teen move naturally while you snap away; these often look and feel more like the modeling photographs that every teen wants to emulate.

Try a variety of facial expressions.

In general, most teens will want to look serious and tough, much like the modeling pictures one sees in magazines. However, moms and other relatives will want smiles and happy faces. To keep everyone happy, a senior portrait shoot should include a balanced variety of facial expressions. If you are talking and interacting casually while taking the shots, you should get more than enough attractive and photogenic facial expressions to choose from.

Keep the parents at bay.

While it’s important to find out exactly what parents want from the senior photo session—they do sign the credit card slip, after all—they should not be allowed to overwhelm or distract throughout the photo session. Encourage the parent to watch from afar—if possible, from very far. Parents will make your subject less comfortable in front of the camera and undermine your choices in poses and backgrounds. Be polite, but firmly remind the parents that you are the professional and that you know how to get the portraits that they so badly desire.

It’s no wonder many parents are willing to spend so much of their hard earned money on senior portraits. In many cases, this is a last chance to capture a child on film before he or she steps off on the road to adulthood. There is no time when the personality is less jaded or one’s natural beauty easier to capture. By taking good senior portraits, you are marking the end of an especially memorable era and the very beginning of adult life.