As senior year rolls around, there is a certain norm that comes with making it to this year. That norm is senior pictures. Senior pictures are a seemingly popular tradition from seniors across the nation.
Senior pictures are designed as a capsule of self portraits. These pictures, which are used in yearbooks and are posted throughout social media. For some, senior pictures are a way to post the overpriced self portraits with the hashtag “senior Sunday”.
The pictures come at a high price depending on the photographer. On average, photo sessions cost anywhere from $250 to $500 per hour. Prices can vary depending on the number of locations, number of outfits, and the amount of editing used on the portraits. Additional cost is included in getting the portraits printed.
The cost of the portraits affects some seniors’ decisions to have the pictures taken. Senior Clare Basala thinks the pricing of the photos is unreasonable. “The portraits aren’t worth having a professional photographer take at the high cost when the same photos could be shot by friends or family,” said Basala. “If I believed I would use the photos more, then maybe the pricing would be worth it.”
Even with the steep prices, some seniors find value in the portraits. Senior Bell Luebken believes that the pictures are worth the cost. “You never get pictures like that taken again until your wedding,” said Luebken. The pictures hold sentimental value to some seniors, as a reminder of the last year of one’s youth.
Others could care less about getting the photos taken. Some schools allow seniors to use these pictures in the yearbook, which was a factor for Spencer Brecht when deciding whether or not to have them taken.
Brecht had little opinion on the photos being taken, “I had the photos taken mainly because my mom wanted them taken and because I needed a photo for the yearbook,” he said. While some people choose to not have them in the yearbook, most students do.
With the price paid for the portraits, one would believe that there is a great use for the photos, but in reality, there is not. More often than not, the photos are used on a few occasions and then never looked at again. “I might use the photos for the yearbook and grad party invites, but other than that I don’t really think I will have a use for them,” said senior Holyn Doran.
With the price paid, it seems as though the portraits are almost a waste. Hundreds of dollars for pictures that have little use seems slightly excessive. While the portraits are slightly overrated, hashtag “senior Sunday”, doesn’t seem to be disappearing anytime soon.
