It's SUMMER! Time to start thinking about Senior Portraits!

Summer is a time to relax, travel, sleep in, and do all the things you didn't have time for during the school year. I hope you have been enjoying your time so far. Can you believe it's JULY already?!?! 

If you are in the LISD district, that means your summer is almost over! :( It's time to start getting organized for fall. Marching band will start soon, sports practices are starting, and soon enough, you will be back to the grind. It's time to start making your senior year list and getting things planned and organized. 

Here's some good news!

Dawn Fry Photo is offering a super awesome summer special!! I've never done this before, but I know that with school starting almost 2 weeks earlier this year, your time is limited. So, in an effort to help you check off your list, DFP is now offering Petite Studio Portrait Sessions!!

Petite Studio Portrait Sessions are a short, easy session in our Cedar Park studio (with air conditioning!!!) that are perfect for the busy senior. Petite Studio Senior Sessions are available Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm (by appointment), and are 30 minutes inside with 2-3 backdrops and 3 outfits, plus 10 minutes outside on the property to get some environmental images as well. They are PERFECT for those who are short on time and want to get their senior photos done before school starts, and not melt in our Texas heat!

You and your parent can enjoy the comforts of the studio with complimentary snacks and beverages while you get amazing senior pics, and it's all done in less than an hour. How easy is that?!?

And the best part...

These sessions will be offered in the fall for $95. But from now until August 15th, 2018, Petite Studio Sessions are FREE! 

The fine print...

A $300 reservation fee is required to book your session and hold your date. This fee will be applied to your print and product purchase. Print and product packages start at $595. Please contact Dawn with any questions regarding availability and pricing BEFORE you make your reservation. 

Same day Viewing and Ordering sessions are available as well - Please let Dawn know before your senior session if you would like to take advantage of this offer. 

Enjoy your summer and get the important stuff checked off your list! DFP is here to make your senior photos super easy and FUN!

It is DONE! Class of 2018 has left the building! Congratulations to all our happy, smart, talented, and awesome GRADS! I wish you all the best in this next chapter of life!

It was an amazing year for DFP and we are so blessed to have been chosen as your photographer. Capturing this crazy important stage in life is what we live for. Your senior portraits will be enjoyed for generations! Here in Austin it is already hot, hot, hot, so we have officially wrapped up our class of 2018 photo sessions. 

Summer is HERE!

Dawn Fry Photo is committed to helping you navigate all things related to being a High School Senior, even after graduation. Here is a helpful tip to get you going as you head off to college!

Ladies, are you planning to RUSH? Have you sent in your Recruitment Information Packets yet? 

If you want to stand out from the crowd, I HIGHLY recommend you check out SororityPackets.com for ALL of your rush needs. Dawn Fry Photo has joined as an affiliate partner with this amazing company to help you put your best foot forward as you enter the Greek life. They have the absolute CUTEST and most STYLISH sorority rush packets I've ever seen! PLUS they have tons of tips, tricks, and info you NEED to know as you consider your new college family. Check it out!

SEEKING CLASS OF 2019 BRAND AMBASSADORS! 

Our DFP Spokesmodel Team is taking shape and we are still looking for a few more awesome seniors to join us! If you want your senior portraits created by Dawn Fry Photo, your BEST opportunity to get an amazing deal, a ton of perks, and photos ALL YEAR LONG is to join our Spokesmodel Team. We have already started our group themed sessions, and are gearing up for a super fun summer with loads of events. 

We are looking for class of 2019 seniors from Vandegrift, Lago Vista, Liberty Hill, Lake Travis, Westlake, Westwood, McNeil, Rouse, Glenn, and others!! 

For more information on the DFP Spokesmodel Program, please check out our Spokesmodel Program Page, our video and information magazine, or contact Dawn directly by email at dawn@dawnfryphoto.com

We can't wait to create your Senior Portraits!

Dawn Fry Photo is known for being one of the best senior portrait photographers in Austin! We create senior photos that are CREATIVE, STYLISH, EXTRAVAGANT, ELEGANT, TIMELESS, and MODERN, and turn them into gorgeous keepsake artwork and legacy products for you and your family. We tailor each session to your style, your personality, and your vision. We want to give you the best senior photo experience possible, and capture your senior year forever with unbeatable quality and stylish products. You deserve the best there is, so call us today to reserve your special event. We can't wait to meet you. 

Welcome back to the last in our series, 10 Tips for Great Senior Photos! This last one will be long, but worth it, so read to the end. If you want to make your senior portrait an amazing experience that you remember for a lifetime, these tips will help you achieve your dream session. To refresh your memory (or catch you up to speed), review Part 1 and Part 2 first. 

Let's jump right in where we left off, shall we? 

#6. ORGANIZE

• Organize your clothes by outfits, making sure they are pressed (no wrinkles!) and easily accessed. You can bring them on hangers or folded neatly in a structured bag. *SUPER PRO TIP - put your jewelry and any accessories for a particular outfit in a ziploc bag and pin it to a piece of clothing in that particular outfit. That way, you won’t have to deal with a tangled mess of necklaces or missing earring when changing your clothes.
• Make sure you have proper undergarments for each outfit. If you need that strapless bra or that particular pair of socks, put them in your designated ziploc bag so you know you have it. If you think you might do jump shots in a dress, make sure you have a pair of spandex, dancewear, or biker shorts underneath to avoid the dreaded flash!
• Try on your complete outfits before your session and take a photo with your phone of each one for reference. That way, if you can’t remember which necklace you were wearing with that dress, you have a quick way to find out.

(the night before)

#7 GET REST

Being well rested will not only help you to look your best, but it will also help you to feel your best! Try to get in a good 6-8 hours if you can. Photo shoots are fun but can be hard work. You want to be prepared for an exciting day.

(the day of)

#8 EAT/HYDRATE BEFOREHAND

No one wants to see you hangry. Make sure to eat and good meal before your session, and bring snacks and beverages to stay energized and hydrated. Make sure you don't bring something that will stick in your teeth!

#9 BRING A FRIEND

Friends are great for helping you relax, stay organized, and can get things done. They can help you with wardrobe changes, hauling all your clothing and props. They can check for stray hairs, clothing wrinkles, and spinach in your teeth. They can be that extra set of eyes and can assist your photographer. Most importantly, they know just how to make you laugh so you can capture your beautiful smile.

#10 KEEP IT SIMPLE

Remember that even with all of this prep and planning, this is a day about YOU. This is your time to relax, have fun, and be in the moment. If your plans are turning you into a ball of nerves, pause, refresh, and ask your photographer, parent, or good friend for help. See what you can eliminate or change to make things a true reflection of the amazing person you are, without driving yourself crazy.

(and lastly...)

#11 BONUS - GO WITH A PRO

Sure, your friend’s mom has a nice camera and loves taking photos. Your bff may be an amazing selfie ninja. But a professional photographer can do more for you than click a button. A professional photographer has posing knowledge that can make you look your absolute best. They can accentuate your best features and hide your flaws in a way that looks natural and effortless. They can enhance your natural beauty to a level that is unmatched by a non-professional, both in the actual photo creating and in post-process editing. Have blemishes? A professional can make them nothing but a memory, and not leave your skin looking like a plastic. Professional photographers have a passion for uplifting and empowering their clients, creating valuable relationships, and providing outstanding service. They can offer high quality, heirloom products that you can’t get from Snapfish or Costco Photo Lab. They can walk you through the entire process from start to finish, helping you not only create the best portraits of your life, but use those priceless memories to decorate and enhance your home in the best way possible. They also know exactly how to get your photos in your senior yearbook ad the correct size and looking their absolute best. And we all know the yearbook is forever.

At Dawn Fry Photo, I want you to know that I SEE YOU. I see your personality. I know how to bring that inner and outer beauty to the forefront and make it shine. I know how valuable you are, and trust me, you are worth it. 

No, I don't actually claim to be the best photographer in the UNIVERSE, but don't you think you deserve someone pretty darn close? 

Follow these tips and your senior portrait experience will be sure to be one of the best memories from senior year. You will be stress free and your shoot will run smoothly. Just remember to HAVE FUN! Professional photography is an investment in your memories and something generations after you will cherish. That awesome new cell phone you just purchased will be a paperweight in two years, but a quality album of senior photos will last longer than your lifetime.

Invest in your memories.

Capture your legacy.

Tell your story.

XOXO  ~ Dawn

Last week on the blog we talked about planning ahead,

planning for your session (locations, theme, ideas) and clothing choices.

This week we will explore a few more tips for making your senior portraits amazing! 

#4. Accessorize

Accessories can really make a difference in the look and feel of your outfit, and they are a great way to add visual interest - that is, they can draw your eye to or away from something, they can break up a large block of color or space, they can tie together pieces of clothing to complete a look, and they can give your hands, arms, feet, eyes, and head something to do! 

Have you ever thought, "What do I do with my hands?"

Yeah, we get that a lot. There are lots of ways to position your hands in a photo, but adding the right accessories can make that even easier. Here is a list of great accessories to add to your look. 

• jewelry - long or statement necklaces, dangly earrings, rings, bracelets, etc. 
• hats - you can have so much fun with a hat!
• scarves - these really tie in a look and make a great place to hold, scrunch, or even toss behind you
• glasses - on or off, peeking over the edge, looking chill in the bright sun...there are so many options
• cute shoes - they say the shoes make the outfit. Don't forget your feet will be in many of the photos.
• jackets - make layers you can put on or take off, toss over your shoulder or hang in the background. Letterman jackets are great for this. 

#5. Props

Likewise, props are a great way to add to the scene and represent things you love. You can express your personality with visual pieces like,

• books
• family heirlooms
• musical instruments
• your car
• sporting equipment
• collections
• pets
• furniture - chairs are always a great item to have on hand. You never know how useful it can be.

Anything you have that is a reflection of what you like to do in your daily life will help to capture that unique spirit you have. 

We're halfway there! Are you starting to feel it? That's your confidence coming through. Senior photos can be an absolutely amazing experience and super fun if you are prepared and stress-free. Using these tips will help you enjoy the entire experience, and as a bonus your photos will be that. much. better. 

Check back in a few days for the rest of the list. 

XOXO,

Dawn

PART 1

PART 3

10 Tips For Great Senior Pics

~from ~

So, you are cruising through high school, minding your own, getting things done, when suddenly, BAM! You are a senior! How did it happen so fast? It seems like things are hitting you left and right - forms to fill out, applications to send, colleges to visit, essays to write...never mind the basics like homecoming, football games, tests, studying, promposals, and oh man, somehow you have to fit senior portraits in there too.

Never fear, Dawn Fry Photo has 10 (awesome) tips for making the senior portrait experience a total A+

(2-4 months before)

1. PLAN AHEAD

• While this seems like a no-brainer, most people don’t realize that good photographers are booked weeks to months in advance. Only have one Saturday in October that doesn’t have a competition or practice? Better BOOK IT NOW with your favorite photographer. Want to do your session over Spring Break? Guess what - so does everyone else. Research your photographer and when you find the one you love, book them as soon as possible.

(2-3 weeks before) 2. PLAN FOR YOUR SESSION

• Take time to meet with your photographer in advance and plan out all the aspects of your session from locations to wardrobe. Drive around town scouting locations, or choose a location that is meaningful to you. Plan out your outfits from earrings all the way down to shoes. Think about what props or items you want to bring that will represent your interest and personality. Discuss any concerns or preferences you have with your photographer and/or makeup artist, so everyone is prepared and on the same page, and you will have a ton less stress about your special day.

3. CLOTHING CHOICE

• Make sure every outfit fits properly, is flattering to your body type, and makes you feel great. If you are uncomfortable wearing it, it will look uncomfortable in the photographs. Make sure with any outfit that you can move freely; squatting, sitting and bending are all part of the process, and you don’t want to be struggling with your clothes or flashing people on the street!
• Choose the outfits that best express your style and personality. In general, it is better to stay away from bold patterns and neon colors as they tend to distract from the face (and often don’t photograph well), but if that is your style, don’t be afraid to show it. Just remember, the session is about you, and your face and expression will be the main focus.
• Bring a variety of styles. You should go for something dressy, something casual, and something in between. Choose something with sleeves and something without. Make sure hemlines, sleeve lengths, and neck lines have some variety. Mix it up so you get completely different looks.

So far so good! Are you ready for this?

Check back in a few days for more great tips!

 
PART 2

PART 3