So, your best friend's aunt got a new camera and wants to become a photographer.  She's offered to let your daughter model for her and be one of her first clients.  You have a high school senior.  She needs to build her portfolio . . . Tempting, right?

Or maybe your daughter's friend in school who takes cute social media pictures is offering to take her senior pictures for $100. Sounds like a no brainer!

Let's be honest, who doesn't love a bargain?!  As a parent of 3 teenage boys, I sure do!

But let's face it, there are things you should look for a deal on and then there are those deals you should avoid at all costs.

Senior pictures fall into the latter category.  

This is not where you should skimp on the budget for senior year if you can help it.  It's just like your wedding photos.  At the end of the day, after the cake has been eaten and the beautiful flowers have wilted, all you have left are your pictures.  Senior pictures are no different.  Your child is only graduating once!  It's a big deal & you won't ever get this time back in their life.

And side note - pictures on the internet are forever.  What happens when you trust those to someone who might not know what they are actually doing? 😬 

Are senior pictures from a professional photographer are worth the investment? 

Let's talk about that.

Your child's senior pictures aren't "just for fun" or something to post to social media.  Their senior portrait experience should be a celebration of this important milestone in your kiddo's life!  These portraits will serve as their high school legacy.  They will be looked at by their own children and grandchildren one day. 

What's important when it comes to senior pictures?

At the end of the day when it comes to your pictures, quality is way more important than quantity.

It's not about how many digital files you get on a USB or in a dropbox download, it's about telling YOUR SENIOR'S story for not only him or her, but for generations to come. For this reason, most custom senior photographers offer varying session types and even flexible payment plan options to work with you and your budget because we realize this is an investment.  

Working with a professional senior photographer is so worth every penny.  A professional will listen and include the things your child is passionate about in his or her senior portraits.  Here at Jena Golden Photography, we love to incorporate your senior's favorite pet, car or truck, the sport they've grown up playing, or literally anything you can imagine in their senior session. Take a look at our gallery to see what we have done with other seniors!

Here's what you can expect at Jena Golden Photography: 

1. Posing assistance & direction

2. Professional lighting to make you look your best

3. Comfortable and natural expressions

4. High quality & beautifully relaxed images

5. Attention to detail

6. A fun, personalized experience for your high school senior

7. In person design & ordering appointment, so you aren't left guessing what to do with your beautiful images

8. Custom wall art and albums to hand down one day

9.  Help every step along the way of the senior portrait experience

10. Fun!  Did we mention that?!

How Much Should You Budget For Senior Pictures From An Atlanta Senior Photographer?

This is actually a very difficult question to answer because every photographer has a different business model and different costs to run their businesses.  So we are all priced differently.  Senior pictures can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. 

At Jena Golden Photography, we have senior sessions for every budget.  While most of our clients spend $2000+ on their senior portraits, that is certainly not a requirement. 

Here's how we tend to look at this investment though.  It's a one time thing.  As parents, we have spent thousands on dining room suites, couches, refrigerators.  And those things end up at Goodwill or in a yard sale a few years down the road.  Your child's portraits, while yes an investment right now, will only increase in value over the years. 

We do offer payment plans for parents to help break up payments during their time with us.  So if that is a concern, please don't let it be.  We will work with you to get your child exactly what you want for them!  

If you are looking for quality pictures, personalized session, and the best senior experience around Forsyth County, check out Jena Golden Photography!  We work with high school seniors all around Atlanta - from Fulton County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, Cherokee County, Oconee County, Walton County, Fayette County, Henry County & so many more - and we love them ALL!  We'd love to create something special for your family to celebrate your child's senior year too!

If you are interested in booking a senior session, let's set up a consult to chat real soon ;)