High School Senior Portraits Versus Studio Portraits with MDP
My studio is committed to offering
a completely different experience from
any kind of standardized process.
Which Is Right For you?
For the third year in a row, a parent has reached out to me looking for something different than the pictures that were taken way back in August at the high school.
Right off the bat, I want to say that you can not compare volume photography - the back to back ones that happen at school - to an individual portrait session that I provide.
The two experiences are just not the same.
I would go so far as to argue that the goals are not even the same.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the point of the senior pictures made at the high school are to provide Seniors with great graduation portraits.
While I’m over here, sitting at the understanding that the experience of having your portraits made in a way that works best for your Senior will also show the best of your senior.
My studio is committed to offering a completely different experience from any kind of standardized process. Here’s why off the bat, I want to say that you can not compare volume photography - the back to back ones that happen at school - to an individual portrait session that I provide.
In the end, if you and your senior are not beaming with pride or love with their portraits from picture day I have some ideas why this may be.
My studio is committed to offering a completely different experience from any kind of standardized process. Here’s why:
A Personalized Experience
Your session is all about your grad. Unlike school graduation photos, which can be rushed or feel impersonal, we take the time to capture your grads unique personality and style.
2. More Variety & Creativity
School photos typically offer limited poses and props general enough for any student to use.
With me, you’ll have options.
If your Senior has ideas, I’d love to try them. If they don’t; I have a plan for that too. We will try different starting poses. We will use different backdrops and locations based on what works best for you and your personality.
3. Professional Retouching (Without Over-Editing)
Our goal is to make you look like your best self—not an overly edited version. And the result will always look naturally like you. Authentic.
4. Wardrobe Guidance & Styling
The wardrobe guidance doesn’t mean I tell your senior what to wear. It means we take a look at the things that you want to wear and make sure there’s a good variety.
We love what we love. Sometimes, we own several favorite black dresses that can look really similar when photographed. So why not have more of a variety when you can?
There are also some things that photograph better, especially when taking a location into consideration. I use my experience to suggest final wardrobe choices and to make sure things like shoes and accessories aren’t forgotten about either.
5. A Relaxed, Fun Atmosphere
As an introvert, I really don’t like when there’s attention on me. So I completely understand what it’s like to try to focus when it feels like all eyes are on you.
Even if school sessions aren’t rushed, but there are people waiting in line, it can be a little uncomfortable and hard to focus on your own picture being made.
I think that time limits are not the easiest circumstances to relax under so I don’t have them for my senior portrait sessions.
The best way I found to keep a senior portrait session relaxed it’s for everyone to know the plan. A plan that the senior and I made together.
It’s much easier to relax when you know what to expect and have a timeline that allows for flexibility. The pressures of time and expectation are much lower and everybody just feels better.
6. High-Quality Images & Print Options
Senior portraits aren’t like every other annual school picture and the prints you take home shouldn’t be either.
Rather than basic print packages, I offer stunning matted or mounted prints, and custom options like albums and frames portraits to preserve your graduation memories in a way that truly lasts.
A graduation session with Marisa Duran Photography is about more than just a cap and gown—it's about seriously being happy about your achievements, and the person you’ve become.
Would you like help booking a session or getting more details? Send me an email. Let’s talk.
Read more about Custom Senior Portrait Sessions on the blog:
or the third year in a row, a parent has reached out to me looking for something different than the pictures that were taken way back in August at hollister high school. Right off the bat, I want to say that you can not compare volume photography - the back to back ones that happen at school - to an individual portrait session that I provide.
The two experiences are just not the same.