Summer is the season for high-school senior pictures, and local photo studios are booked 3-4 a day.
Photo sessions have evolved over the years, said Kevin Winship of Winship Studios, Clarkston.
‘My first year, they would have one or two outfits and everything was done in front of a flat canvas,? said Winship, who has been taking photos for 22 years.
Over the years, as a new generation of photographers came into their own, senior photo sessions have grown more complex.
‘The younger guys (photographers) wanted them to be more magazine-type photos, reflect people’s personalities and interests.?
The yearbook portrait is just the beginning of most photo sessions, which can include several outfits, locations, sports equipment, pets, and even family members.
‘New this year are family portraits with the high school student,? said David Savage of Savage Photography, Clarkston. ‘It’s really gone over huge, a huge hit.?
New at Winship are computer generated, three-dimensional sets, which can put a senior in a log cabin, spiral staircase, Southern-style fire escape, or just about anyplace else.
‘Rather than a painted background, this is live, Hollywood style,? Winship said. ‘It gives seniors more options.?
Sessions can take lots of planing. Savage meets with seniors to discuss ideas and options.
‘We brainstorm what they would like us to do,? Savage said.
‘We go through their wardrobe, jewelry, where we would go ? we preplan,? said Grace Savage, David’s wife, who does makeup. ‘There’s a lot to it.?
Another development over the years: boys are into it too.
‘It used to be 90 percent catered to girls,? Winship said. ‘Guys would get a head shot and get out. Now, guys get into it. They bring animals, cars, a whole slew of things.?
Technology has advanced greatly over the years, said Ann Lauwers, artist at Savage Photography with 20 years experience.
‘What used to be done with air brushing, dyes, and pencils, now is all done on computer,? Lauwers said.
Film is history, studios having switched to digital years ago.
‘There’s so much more you can do with digital ? if you can think it, you can do it,? she said. ‘And there’s no clean up. You just hit the off button.?
Film was simpler, though, Winship said.
‘I miss the simplicity,? he said. ‘In the past, you would shoot a sitting, send the film to the lab, and get it back. Now, with all the input you put in the computer, you work on it just as long as the session. But the end product is so much better.?
Gone are the days when each and every print would need to be retouched by hand, he said.
‘Now each print looks identical,? he said.
Why is so much time and energy invested in senior pictures?
They’re an opportunity to capture one last image of youth before heading off to college and adulthood, Savage said.
‘This is a time of transition for parents,? he said.
‘Their high school senior is still under their roof, but in a few months they’ll be out on their own. This is a chance to photograph them at this transition point.?