The Secret of Taking Great High School Senior Pictures

by Walla Walla Photographer Dean Harman

“Hey picture dude!”

I hear it called out to me all the time, usually by one of my past clients as I am walking down the street.  I have even heard it yelled out loud in a crowd, in far off locations like Portland or Spokane and even Seattle.

Yes, at first it bothered me a bit but to know that there is really no privacy anywhere I go, but when I think about it for a second or two, I realize it is kind of cool to be recognized by one of my past clients.  Some go as far back as 1983 when I started photographing high school seniors in the Walla Walla area.

Past high school seniors know me not because I am such a fantastic photographer, but because I always have tried to treat them with due respect.  As a professional senior photographer, it is my task to find the very thing in a teenager’s life that brings a certain glow to their eyes.

Usually, it only takes a nice complement and a few simple questions to get a high school senior to open up about themselves.  Once they do that, it is only a matter of time before they clue me into what really makes them tick.

Then, we can go about photographing them in a way that tells their story.

High school seniors and their families have always been burdened by the immense task of searching for a competent portrait photographer that can create some outstanding senior portraits.

Finding a photographer that can take senior pictures isn’t usually the hard part.  Online search engines or a phone book can come up with dozens of photographers from Walla Walla, the surrounding area and Google will even pepper the results page with portrait and wedding photographers from far away locations.

Really, the difficult part of choosing a portrait photographer is filtering the list down to the photographer that today’s demanding teenager will, first of all get along with, and second, can consistently make each photograph look amazing.

Let’s face it, everyone knows someone that has a pretty good digital camera, or, at the very least, a darned good camera that came tucked inside their smart phone. 

Many teens find it kind of cool to go to some far-out location with their buddies, snap off several hundred photographs and somewhere, somehow there should be at least a couple good ones in there.

That may be exciting for a couple of hours, but what lasting impression of ones youth does that experience provide?

I have discovered that as a professional portrait photographer, we are entrusted with the unique power to kindle quite a positive self image in a high school senior.

In reality, we should be able to create some powerful and awesome portraits that high school seniors can be proud to show family and friends.  Pictures that really represent what kind of things that particular teen is in to.

Alternatively, it is also our job as trusted professionals, to reach people on  a level that can’t be seen through the lens of a portrait camera.  Call it a psychological level that can leave people with a positive impression and give fuel to our seniors to take on the world for awhile longer.

When a high school senior realizes that they really can look great and their friends and family are complementing them on how wonderful their portraits look, that is what makes being a professional photographer all worth while. 

That is the secret to photographing high school seniors.

That is why I will always love it when someone in the crowd excitedly yells, “Hey, it’s the picture dude!”

Dean Harman

e-mail:    dean@harmanportraits.com

Website: http://harmanportraits.com

Phone:

541-938-7079 Office

541-215-2884 Cell

This is the latest 360 virtual tour that I just uploaded for Trisha Bush at Preferred Properties Land and Homes in Walla Walla Washington.  An ultra modern design where you will find modern appliances throughout the home.  The living space is very open providing complete access to the kitchen, dining area and even to the open loft upstairs.  I thought the loft could be a perfect office for the person that does their work from home.

Just click on the picture above to get to the virtual tour window or go to:  Virtual Tour of College Place Home.

Walla Walla is still a great little town to work and play in and is a thriving wine enthusiasts Mecca.  You will find this home in a newer development in the neighboring town of College Place Washington.  Traditionally, College Place was developed around the Seventh Day Adventists and still adheres to some of the Adventist traditions.  You will find it a friendly town to all residents and visitors.  Take advantage of small town living where you can easily become friends with your neighbors. The schools are still a reasonable size, where your child can receive a great education.  In fact, College Place is home to the famous Walla Walla University!

Trisha Bush of Preferred Properties Land and Homes can be reached at (509) 525-4040 if you would like to contact her regarding this newer home.  You may also visit her website for some great online search tools that will direct you to any number of properties in the Walla Walla area that Trisha lists.

Dean Harman

Presenting 360 Virtual Tours and Internet Marketing of Real Estate, Business and Hospitality Facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

wwtourguide@bmi.net

541-938-7079 Office

541-215-2884 Cell

We photographed Ryan and Darlene’s wedding engagement portraits Saturday morning on the Whitman College here in Walla Walla.  Our engagement portrait sessions are designed not only to get some great photography of newly engaged couples, but to get a chance to work closely with a couple to sort of give them a taste of what their wedding portraits will be like. 

Obviously, if we all are getting along great and the couple is having fun, then it just makes everyone feel comfortable being photographed. 

Getting in up close and personal helps create a fun atmosphere and really takes care of any “nerves” and unnatural expressions!

A kiss under a tree ends the perfect morning portrait session.

For more pictures of this great couple, visit our website:

www.harmanportraits.com and go to our “proofing” page!

Dean Harman

Harman Portrait Photography

541-938-7079

e-mail: dean@harmanportraits.com

Website: www.harmanportraits.com

This is a Virtual Tour we completed of a custom built home in Walla Walla back in January of this year. I wanted to give this client a little marketing boost for spring so a new Craigslist ad was created and sent on up to Seattle Washington.

Craigslist ad link: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/reo/1121433308.html (real estate - by owner)

Interactive Virtual Tour link: (click on picture below to view the tour!)

1840 Fern Ave. Walla Walla WA

724 Bedford Loop in College Place Washington

I just finished up a new interactive virtual tour for Trisha Bush at Preferred Properties in Walla Walla Washington.

This is another cool virtual tour for the Walla Walla area and can be accessed by anyone by clicking on the link below:

http://rtvpix.com/RE-7362-033AJK-01

This home is brand new and was built in 2008 by Jeff Moeller Construction in Walla Walla and was featured in the 1^st annual Walla Walla Parade of Homes by Trisha Bush.

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