"Tracy, Justin's Senior Portraits were amazing! The poster you put together was very cool! You made this all so easy. Thank you for helping to get this done while Justin was here visiting."
Stephanie English,
All Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning,
Colorado Springs

Read more comments from our clients

"Tracy, Thank you for all your work on Heather's senior portraits. It was so hard to choose what to get, they're all so beautiful. Heather had a great time working with you. Thanks, again."
Debbie MacGregor
Peyton, Co.

Mistake #1 Ruins More Senior Portraits Than Anything!

Mistake #1 is wearing the wrong clothes! Some Seniors guys ask me if they need to wear a suit and tie. Some of the girls want to know if they need to wear a dress. You know what I tell them? Wear what you're comfortable in. Flip-flops and old jeans? Fine. Letter jacket? Cool. We know if you're dressed in something that you're not usually comfortable wearing, your Senior portraits won't look right.

BUT... the wrong clothing can make a several pound difference in the way you look in your portrait!  Who wants to look fatter? 

Clothing makes a HUGE difference in this area, so let's make sure your clothing is really perfect!  We can make some suggestions to help you determine what the best outfits are for you to wear. We can do this when we come over to meet with you and do our custom design consultation. We do have some things that we stick with: No mini-skirts; nothing that reveals the belly button; and no spaghetti straps.

"I was extremely impressed by the work done. You captured exactly what I was looking for. The portraits came out beautifully. Thank you so much for all your wonderful work. I truly appreciate everything!"
Mattie Vest, Falcon, Co.

Mistake #4 Will Ruin Your Senior Portrait If You Aren't Aware Of It! Most seniors don't realize that it takes longer than 10 minutes to create outstanding senior portraits.  One of the unique things that separates us from many of the other photographers in the area, is that we take all the time that is necessary to create portraits that you will be proud of. Photographs that your friends and relatives will really like - yes like! That's what we're all about. We're not going to rush you through like it's a factory. We're going to help you through this whole thing.  We understand that this portrait is important to you, so we're not going to rush through this.

Mistake #5 Is Critically Important To
Your Appearance In Your Portrait!

Most seniors don't realize that sometimes, "today is just not the day" for their senior portrait to be done.  The hair just isn't right today.  Or maybe you didn't sleep well last night.  Or perhaps you've had too many stresses at school or home.  Or maybe you just had a fight with your boyfriend or girlfriend, etc. 

Well, we understand this.  We honestly understand that the day we set up for your photography may end up not being the best day, when it arrives, for whatever reason. And we have absolutely no problem, whatsoever, with you calling us and rescheduling the session, if "today isn't the day."  We WANT YOU TO DO THAT! 

You see, one of the things that is really unique about us, is how easy and fun we are to work with. So, for example, let's say you end up deciding to have us create your senior portraits, and we set up a time for your session for Tuesday, the 15th at 3:30pm. Well, let's say you wake up that Tuesday, and just "doesn't feel right." Plus, your hair isn't cooperating that morning, and you're really tired, too. 

Well, you just call us.  You say, "Hi, today just isn't the day. I'm really sorry."  And we will immediately understand and know exactly what you mean.  And we will reschedule the session for you - no problem.

WE DON'T TREAT YOUR PORTRAIT LIKE IT'S A FACTORY PROCESS!  We understand.  We won't make you feel guilty.  Why? Because we completely understand exactly how you feel!  It's no problem at all.

We know this is a once-in-a-life-time thing.

Now, I know what you are thinking. You're thinking, "Give me a break.  This is just a photo." 

Well, yes, but it's your SENIOR PORTRAIT, and it's the only one you're ever going to have.  And all the people who matter to you are going to see this portrait! So let's make sure it's perfect!  Right?  And that's what we're all about. That's what's so special about us.

It's not the camera we use. It's not the locations we use.  (Although we use the best of everything!) The thing that separates us from everyone else, is how sincerely we want to help you look absolutely perfect - stunning - fantastic - better than ever - in your senior photographs.

"I love my Senior portraits. The (slideshow) presentation was awesome and I was very impressed! Everything was wonderful!" Christine Patton, Colorado Springs

Mistake #6 Determines A Great Portrait Or A Terrible One!

Nine out of ten seniors don't realize how important posing is. The most important word when it comes to posing is "NATURAL." You absolutely don't want to look stiff and fake! One of the most common comments we hear from our clients is how "natural" the portraits look. Our seniors love how good they look, but they also love how "natural" they appear in the images.

I know that you want to look really great, but also you don't want to be put into some weird, stupid, pathetic pose that makes you look stiff and unnatural. 

Yes, I will "guide" you so the composition and "look" of the portraits is really great.  But I will NOT push you around and try to put you into unnatural positions that are just plain crazy looking. You and I will work together to help you look confident, comfortable, and just plain great.

This Is Extremely Important To You!  Don't Miss This:

You want to be sure to select a photographer who will not "manhandle" you with the posing. So many photographers tend push the customer around way too much when posing them.  (In my humble opinion.) The posing is so important, and should not be done by sticking you in the middle of your back if you aren't sitting up quite straight enough!  But that's what some photographers do. Why? Because they've been taught to do it. Can you believe that? Plus, they're in a hurry.  They have another 51 seniors to photograph before the day is over, and they can't take the time to "guide" you. They just stick their hand into your back, grab you by the shoulders, and get you to sit up straight. Not only does this make you really uncomfortable, but it also makes you look stiff!

I will try to guide you with words.  I don't grab you or poke you. This is so important to helping you feel comfortable! 

I'll be very careful, and very attentive to detail. I may pick a little at your hair if something is out of place. I straighten your collar or sleeves.  I straighten your shirt if it has a funny wrinkle in it.  Don't worry about a thing! We'll make sure you look "like a million bucks"!  We're very picky, but we don't manhandle you - and we won't drive you "nuts" with being overly picky either!

Strange, But True... And You'll Be Very Glad...

Everything must be perfect before I expose the photograph. I'll work quickly, but carefully. 

The key thing with posing, is that you look honestly natural.  The seniors I photograph tell me all the time how great their photographs look from a point of view of being natural.  They say things like this:  "It's like I just sat down naturally, by myself! That's exactly how I sit!  I can't believe it! How'd you know that?"  And you see, that's what "guiding" will do for your portraits, too!

We're talking about where your arm is in the portrait. And if your hand is in the portrait, does it look natural?

And so many seniors and their parents don't realize this when they're calling around to different photographers. They have no idea how important this is. So look at the photographs done by any photographer you're considering selecting.  Do they look natural, or do they look "posed" or stiff?

If you'll look at the photographs I've included throughout this website, you'll see how natural and comfortable they look.  And read the comments the people have said about their senior portraits.  Hopefully that will help you.

Mistake #7 Is Of Enormous Importance!  Don't Miss This One!

This mistake has ruined so many senior portraits!  It's the mistake of not choosing a photographer who GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL BE REALLY HAPPY - and who will give you all your money back, if you aren't!

Here's our guarantee: "You will be THRILLED (not just 'satisfied') with your portraits, or we will do whatever is necessary for you to be thrilled, or we will return every penny of your money. No hassles and no hard feelings either. We want you to be THRILLED with your senior portraits, and will spare no effort or expense to see to it that you are! We absolutely guarantee it!"

You see, only a photographer who really believes in his product and service is going to be willing to have such a powerful guarantee.  So his guarantee is your first indication of whether or not you even want to work with him.  I just can't stress this enough.  Ask about the guarantee.  Listen to their reaction. That will tell you if you want to trust your senior portraits to that photographer.

Mistake #8 Is So Obvious, And Yet Most Seniors Or Their Parents Don't Do It!

What's this mistake? Not asking lots of questions when you're talking with photographers.  Now, if you're still reading this, you certainly have the questions to ask, right?

Remember, you are the customer - you have the right to ask the tough questions before you make any decisions!

You ask them first about their guarantee, and see how they respond. 

Then you ask them if they will meet with you in person, at no charge, to discuss the clothing, etc. 

Then you ask them if they will guarantee that they'll remove any and all blemishes you might have at the time of the photography.

Then ask them how much time they are going to spend with you.  And do they do outdoor portraits, as well as indoor portraits. 

Ask them if they are understanding if you call on the day of your session, to reschedule because "Today isn't the day."

Ask them if their posing is natural, or more "posy and stiff."

See how much you have learned so far?  Pretty amazing, when you think about it, isn't it?

Mistake #9 Can Ruin Everything!

What's this mistake? It's choosing the WRONG PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR SENIOR PORTRAIT.  Everything depends on that one decision. 

And hopefully, now that you know these 9 major mistakes that most seniors or parents make - you won't make those mistakes! You'll be able to chose the right photographer for yourself, based on all this new found information you now have!

Now, we may not be the right photographer for you. But the fact that you're still reading this means we probably are. Because we care about all the things I've talked about to you here.  But the only way you'll really know for sure if we are right for you or not is to call us.

(What are these multiple-image collages, and can I get one from my session?)

We call them Billboards, and, yes, you can get one from your session. Just be sure to mention that you would be interested in seeing one from your session, and we'll be sure to get the images that will work for them. You can get 1 to 5 images on one billboard. They look great, they're cool, and most of our Senior clients want one. So, just be sure to tell us you'd like to see a sample of one from your session.

 

So What Should You Do Right Now?

Now, while it's fresh in your mind, pick up the phone, and call me. No charge. No obligation. No sales pitch.  We're not that kind of studio. CLICK HERE to find the number to call, or to shoot me an Email.  You can ask us any questions you may have.  If you'd like to, we can set up a time for us to get together, and discuss what YOU want for your portrait. There's still no charge or obligation. You do not need to have made a decision to hire us,before we get together! No way!

Then, after we meet, if you feel you'd like to have us create your senior portraits, fine.  If not, that's fine also.  We are here to help you in any way we can.  But we're not here to pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do.  The decisions are completely up to you.

However, I do want to urge you to act immediately! My schedule fills up in the spring and summer because we spend so much time with each one of the seniors we photograph, we can't photograph as many seniors as other photographers who have more of a "factory" arrangement.!

So if anything I have said here sounded the least bit interesting to you, CALL NOW!  CLICK HERE right now to get the number to call.

Call right away. I can't wait to talk to you about your senior portraits! CLICK HERE.

Sincerely,


Tracy Bookman
Professional Senior Photographer

P.S. One more thing.  Having your senior portrait taken is such a personal thing, that you want to be sure you select a photographer who is not only really driven to help you look fantastic, but who you (or your son or daughter) also like and trust.  That's why I urge you to read the comments from some of the other clients we've photographed, and then give us a call. This will give you an immediate feeling as to the type of people we are. CLICK HERE to call right now.  We will enjoy hearing from you.