Senior Pictures

Waski_the_Squirrel

Waski_the_Squirrel

Resident of the least visited state in the nation.
I have a standing policy that I don't sell photographs and I do not provide professional photography services. As a teacher, I don't want to risk conflict of interest or suggestion of any kind of impropriety.

However, I've agreed to do senior pictures for a special case. We have a Mexican student who is a senior. Her parents don't speak much English and are quite poor. The girl is developmentally disabled, but speaks better English than her parents. I'm going to do her pictures at 2:30 in the afternoon around the school. Keep in mind that we're a K-12 building (yes, we're small and rural). I'm charging $25 so the parents don't feel like they're getting charity. I'll apply it to a selection of prints of various sizes from wallets up to a nice portrait size for the parents.

I'm looking for some ideas on how to pose pictures. I suggested that she bring 2-3 outfits. I scouted around the building this afternoon. There is no pretty snow, but we do have a nice cedar bush, a sign, a bell from the old school, a playground, a tree row, a retaining wall, and the girl enjoys music. I want to do a good job for her. I'm not making money at this, but I do want to do a good job. I would love to get some suggestions!

Within the constraints I described, what suggestions do you all have for poses or creative shots?
 
Inside, what is there musically? I mean instrument-wise? Do you have a piano? Or a band room? That might be nice. What are the classrooms like? Is there an old-fashioned map or blackboard that would make a good spot?

LOVE the outdoor areas you described. What about the entrance to the school? What does it look like? Would the steps be a good place?

I love that you're doing this for them, and thinking ahead so they don't feel like it's charity. Bless you, squirrely friend. ;)
 
The bell and the wall will make great backgrounds and good memories of her school, but most of the shots should probably be pretty close up with the main focus on her and emphasis on stuff that interests her.
 
Madea said:
The bell and the wall will make great backgrounds and good memories of her school, but most of the shots should probably be pretty close up with the main focus on her and emphasis on stuff that interests her.
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As a parent of a Senior and one that has spent hundreds upon hundreds for Senior pictures :faint I agree with Madea completely. The focus should be on the Senior. Most of the ones I love of mine are the close ups with a faded background or even the dark background. Leaning against the retaining wall, one foot up, sitting on stairs, holding something she is interested in, leaning with an arm up against the door of the entrance to the school, sitting at a desk with an open book head down, slightly glancing up. Swinging on a swing. Just a few ideas around school I have seen that look nice, but leave the student as the main subject of the picture.
 
I wanted to thank you all for your suggestions. She had an outfit picked out. We took a few around the playground. Then we wandered across the street and borrowed the spruce trees around the Lutheran Church. We used the sign, the brick wall of the building, and then we went indoors.

Apparently she likes the library, so we took a few pictures in there. Then we took some in front of the lockers (which made her really stand out). Finally, we went to the music room. She doesn't play an instrument, but she loves Choir. I got some with the piano and with a music stand. As you can all see from my lists, I "borrowed" a few ideas from this forum. Your share of my profit is in the mail.

The language barrier was difficult (along with her other difficulties), but one of the para educators who works with her came along. It helped that this para educator had just recently had a senior graduate.

I'll put a few pictures in the "Night Gallery".
 
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