HOW TO GET GREAT SENIOR PHOTOS...tips from Bruce Berg, Senior Photographs

Lets face it.....your senior photos will be cherished by your parents for decades to come AND it will be immortalized by your friends. Bruce Berg of Senior Photographs has had decades of experience taking senior photos. Check out his portfolio and see how beautiful his senior photos are!

1. Pick a good time

There's no sense in hurting your chances of having poor senior photos by getting too little sleep or feeling stressed out about a class assignment.

Find a day or time when you are at your best. Often, because of the craziness of school and all your activities, summer is a great season to get your senior photos taken. It's not too early to plan ahead to get your senior photographs done. In summer, you have a good tan, nice weather, and no worries, so be happy!

2. Ever seen a TV anchor OFF screen?

They have A LOT of make up on. But they look great on TV. Why? If you are having a professional take your senior photos, because of their professional lighting gear, wear heavier make up than you normally would. Wear evening make up for ladies...guys, have a member of the opposite sex add some concealer under your eyes to cover those lines and blemishes.

3. Pick the Right Clothes and change outfits

No sense in being pigeonholed with just one look.

Be fancy. Be casual. Be sporty, preppie, and studious. choose lots of different looks nd you will get the senior photo that is just perfect. Avoid big, wide stripes on your clothes. Use both solid and patterns, and color variety and go with long sleeves for some outfits. Try to pick clothing that varies from the season.

4. Bring Stuff

Bring friends, instruments, sports gear, vehicles, pets and things that help define you. Because you are unique...show it!

5. Tunes

Having fun is a big part of getting great images and why not rock to your sounds? A great studio, like the studio of Bruce Berg, Senior Picture Photographer in Eugene, Oregon will be iPod friendly.

6. Accessorize

Use jackets, hats, cool shoes, scarves, jewelry . . . anything to twist up your look and keep each shoot exciting.

7. Tear 'em out

Find images you like in magazines and either copy them or tear them out and bring them to your senior photos shoot. Your session is a time to play, act, have fun and really be in another world for a few hours...the more ideas you have about what you would like to do, the better!

8. Hire a Pro

I know, so and so is a great photographer and so is your teacher and cousin. Trust me as someone who has been in the business and seen everything, it is always best to hire a professional photographer. (Check out the awards page of Bruce Berg Senior Picture Photographer in Eugene, Oregon to see just how much experience I bring to the table!)

Most people have no idea how much more knowledgable real professional photographers that have been photographing for years are over just anyone they know who might take good pictures.

Lighting usually takes 5 to 10 years to really master (if even then), and they offer lots of different poses and backgrounds than just hiring a friend who doesn’t have pro lighting gear. You want both studio and outside options for a variety of looks.

Plus, great studios will often have a licensed cosmetologist to help with getting great hair and makeup, unique lighting, background and location options. They will also have gear such as fans to create a windswept look and great music. A professional has extensive Photoshop skills, perfect retouching and printing gear and products that should blow your mind (and please your parents)!

You should be able to say this about your experience:

“The session was great! I came into the studio nervous and not really prepared, but Bruce (the photographer) and everyone helped me out and made me feel very comfortable.

I usually hate getting my picture taken, but the professional environment changed that. I actually enjoyed having my senior pics taken!”

– Mary Saxon, Oakridge High School, Oakridge, OR