Senior Portraits: Top 9 Major Mistakes

Mistake #1 - Wearing the wrong clothes

Wearing the wrong clothing can add up to a 40-pound difference in the way your senior portraits look. Be sure to look at our outfit recommendations by visiting "element of color: how to dress for senior photographs." Most people do not know what photographs well, and so our job is to help prepare you the best we can.

Mistake #2 - Bad and no hair-do's!

Your hair is an integral part to your appearance in your photograph. It is part of the focus of the overall photograph. We all have bad hair days. A bad hair day photographed can seem permanent. A portrait sitting on a bad hair day may bringing harm to the overall focus of your portrait (please check our senior fashion page for more information).

There are certain things that separate Duke Photography from other photography studios in Arizona, and that is that our photographers pay attention to every detail. For instance, the lighting and environment are key components to take in to consideration when choosing your photographer.

Having a bad hair day? Everyone has those! Here at Duke Photography we want to assure our seniors that if you are get a hair cut for your senior portrait, get one a week before your portrait sitting.

Mistake #3 - Something that embarrasses us all...

And just like everyone has a bad hair day, everyone gets blemishes. Please, do not feel embarrassed or shy to talk about this with your parents and your photographer. After your portrait sitting you may feel the need to talk about blemishes, and please, do. Duke Photography has a team of digital editors - yes it is true. Nobody likes blemishes and we have a secret way to get rid of them... :)

In other words, "there will be no visible blemishes found in your portrait." It comes down to a photography company that cares about their work. Our company prides itself in striving for perfection and customer satisfaction.

Mistake #4 - Forced smiling

There are over 52 muscles in your face. Now, just think how many you use when you smile. The most important thing is be relaxed when you take your photograph. You know how you take a portrait with your entire family and you have a huge smile from ear to ear because you are happy with everyone? Duke Photography is family owned and operated with over 60-years experience. Family is everything to us and if we can bring the happiness, warmth and comfort that family offers during your portrait sitting, we have done our job.

Major Mistake #5 - Rushing like a tidal wave

Not having enough time, or being rushed in your photographs is a mistake! Time is either for, or against us. And we have all the time! :) That is why you can count on the Dukes Photographers to take care of you.

Duke Photography has all the time you will need to make help shape a perfect senior portrait sitting. One of the unique facets to our company is that our photographers take the time necessary to create portraits you will be proud of. This is not an assembly line, or factory, or both. It is a time to capture beautiful memories you can share for a life time and beyond.

Mistake #6: Picking the wrong photographer

Make sure you schedule with the right studio. Sometimes today is not the day to take a senior photograph. Sometimes we need time to figure out how we want to take our pictures (please check our senior fashion page for more information). Whether you did not get enough sleep, or that you want more time to put together your outfits, or you had a fight with a boyfriend or girlfriend, etc... just let us know.

We understand everything that may not end up being the best day. Certain things are out of our control and we understand that better than anyone. That is another incredibly unique about Duke Photography!

All you have to do is call in and say, "Hey, I'm not feeling too good about taking my senior portraits today. Sorry, can we reschedule?"

And Duke will say, "I hope everything gets better. Please let us know if we can do anything for you. When is good for you and we will do our best to accommodate you?"

Mistake #7: Digital cameras are not professional cameras!

Digital cameras are not professional! I know that it is popular to say to your parents, "Geez, it is just a photo - I will take it myself!" Well, make sure you understand that professional portrait is professional for a reason. We have been in business for over 60-years with studios in Phoenix and Tempe. We have been in business this long because photography is our passion and we strive for complete customer satisfaction.

Major Mistake #8: Being shy can really hurt your beautiful smile

Everybody can spot a nervous or shy smile. On the flip side of that, everyone wants to see the beautiful smile behind the nervous or shy one. This is probably the most important thing you will need to take in to consideration (drum roll please)...

Be natural - being natural is the most beautiful thing about you.

Mistake #9: We can not say this enough...

Pick the correct photographer and studio who will not manhandle or rush you in and out of their front door. Duke's Photographer's will guide and direct you with their words and won't grab or poke you. You must feel comfortable during your portraits and if someone is touching you to show you what to do, well, that doesn't sound comfortable and we are pretty sure it doesn't feel comfortable.

With over 60-years experience you can trust Dukes Photographers know what they are doing. Your senior portraits will be with you forever. Make sure you get the best!

Duke Photography, Inc. senior photography at the studio in garden in Phoenix Arizona ensures you will fall in love with your photographs. We are the largest photography company in Arizona and the official high school senior photography company in Phoenix. We can only sit a certain amount of seniors a month so hurry and get an affordable portrait package with us online.

Don't leave! Learn about the the fashion of the color wheel: dressing for senior photographs, or, visit your website. We can sit up to twenty-five seniors a month.

Duke Photography will always support their Seniors and the school they represent! To prove this, we've offered photography services free of charge to the Arizona Association of Student Councils! Click here to learn more.

Duke Photography met up with a senior portrait alumni, founder of Active Moms magazine, Katrina Sherk. Katrina told Duke Photography that she loved our studio and that she had "many fond memories!" Read more about our twitter reunion, here.