March 9, 2007 The Catholic Exponent 23

DITOR’S NOTE: At the time this interview wasconducted, some of the teens had not yet scheduled Taking senior

pictures caninvolve planningin many areas

March 9, 2007 The Catholic Exponent 23

SSSSSMILEMILEMILEMILEMILE!!!!!taking experience into herschedule, which involvesschool and a job. Once shefinds a weekend when shecan sit for her photos, sheplans to set up an appoint-ment with the studio thatcan best accommodate herneeds.

How does a teenwish to be portrayed intheir pictures? To achievedifferent looks, photogra-phy studios encourage se-niors to bring several out-fits and, if desired, “props”such as a trophy they won,a musical instrument theyplay, their athletic or banduniform – or sometimeseven their pet. Most studiosare set up to take photos in-side and outdoors. Somestudios will take shots “offlocation” – that is, at placesother than the studio, if a particular setting is desired. Ofcourse, all these “extras” add to the cost.

“I had four different outfits. I knew I was going totake one with a sports picture. I just tried to go with a ca-sual one and then kind of a dressier one,” said JessicaHarchalk.

“Five outfits. I had a dressy one and I had one withmy football jersey. I had one casual with jeans and a t-shirtand sports background, then I had a semi-casual one. I hadone in shorts. It was like a model shoot,” said Corey Herpy.

Some students purchase quite extensive photopackages, costing several hundred dollars because of all theclothing changes, poses, locations and number and sizes ofthe final prints selected. Some families also purchase puzzlesor mugs or poster-size pictures to be used at graduationparties, etc.

A typical package includes wallet size photos forthe student to give out (and/or for parents to send withChristmas cards), plus 3 x 5-inch, 5x 7-inch pictures andan 8 x 10. Photos that are 11 x 14-inch or larger are oftenthe choice of families with only one or two children. Larger

families might choose 8 x 10sfor each child. In some fami-lies, 8 x 10s are reserved forgrandparents, while in largerextended families, grandpar-ents may need somethingsmaller (5 x 7 or 3 x 5), want-ing to display all theirgrandchildren’s photosequally.

Another matter thatcan come up in the senior pic-ture experience is the type ofexpression the student wishesto have in the photos.

Even though JoeMassucci had his braces re-moved six months before hisphoto shoot, he wasn’t used tosmiling.

“I never showed myteeth when I had my braces,so I didn’t do that much smil-ing in the pictures,” he said.His mom did encourage him

to smile in some of his photos, but he felt as though theexpression looked “fake.”

Victoria said she doesn’t like to smile in photos ingeneral, but she expects her mom to encourage her to do sowhen she has her pictures taken.

Most students brought their mother with them

when they had their portraits taken. Besides helping withphoto selections, Corey had an additional reason for bring-ing his mom along.

“I had to look good in the pictures. I have to keepmy image,” he mused. “I had to make sure my shirts didn’thave any hidden stains. My mom OK’d them. My mom hasto make sure I match. It’s a bit of the color-blind thing.”

With modern technology (including digital pho-tography), students can see their photo proofs right aftertheir shoot.

Selecting the best shots was handled equally by Joeand his mother. “She picked half of them and I picked half ofthem, so they’re split right down the middle,” he said.

For most students, taking their senior pictures canbe fun. Some teens really get into the experience. If only fora day, they may wonder if this is what it feels like to try outfor “America’s Next Top Model.”

Nancilynn Gatta, an alumna of Warren John F. KennedyHigh School, writes “With YOUth in Mind’ for the Ex-ponent

their senior picture sessions. By press time, all of thephoto shoots had been completed. This year’s high schooljuniors may find this article particularly informative,as many photo studios offer discounts in the summer (theearlier the month, the greater the discount).

By Nancilynn Gatta

Taking senior pictures can be a rite of passage forstudents. It marks the beginning of the end of their highschool years. Many senior portraits are taken in the sum-mer between a student’s junior and senior years. The goalis to produce a photo for the yearbook, as well as memo-rable “wallets” for friends, and various photos for familymembers. The Catholic Exponent talked with seniors atAshtabula SS. John & Paul School about this importantpart of their high school career.

There are many decisions that students have tomake before they have their senior portraits taken. Theschool often has a contract with a local photography studiofor the yearbook headshot. But, other factors come into playwhen choosing who will take the photos for self, family andfriends.

Since Victoria Jones says she will likely be the onepaying for her senior pictures, “I’m probably going to gowherever it’s cheapest,” she said.

Ryan Prugar will probably go to a studio that isowned by friends of his parents.

For Sarah Reed, the issue is working the picture-

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Withththththth

Featuring students of S.S. John & Paul School

in Mindin Mindin Mindin Mindin Mind