Senior year is an exciting time in any young person’s life. As such, having professional photos to remember their high school days is a rite of passage put in practice by many families. If you are approaching the decision of where to take the senior pictures, pondering on the indoor vs. outdoor senior photoshoot debate is sure to occupy a good number of your thoughts. Since each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, finding out what suits your family’s needs is an important step in the planning process.
Indoor Senior Pictures
Indoor senior pictures are ideal for people looking to create a controlled environment rich in possible backdrops. When choosing an indoor photoshoot venue, a studio is often an excellent choice. Modern studios offer a variety of settings, such as classic backgrounds or light fixtures. These options can provide photographers with an ideal space to capture tricky angles and create a professional look for the final photos.
An indoor photoshoot may also be more suitable for people living in areas with a less predictable climate. The fact that indoor pictures are taken during any time of the year can ensure you meet your deadlines without incident. In addition, using supplementary gear such as studio lights can provide the photographers with a consistency of lighting that can be difficult to achieve outdoors. However, indoor photo shoots can also create a feeling of stiffness among the people being photographed. It is up to the photographer to work within the space to find settings that suit your family’s personality.
Outdoor Senior Pictures
Outdoor senior pictures provide the advantage of creating beautiful pictures using a natural backdrop. Large ponds, big grassy fields, exotic gardens and historic buildings make for some of the best outdoor photoshoot settings. Outdoor portraits are known to show off those natural smiles and are often the easiest way to achieve candid photography. The blending of a relaxing setting and natural light can give senior pictures a timeless beauty that can’t be recreated indoors.
Outdoor photo shoots can, however, come with various challenges. Unpredictable weather, a lack of privacy and the need of tools to shield the main subjects from the sun causing harsh shadows in photos are some of these challenges. Selecting a location, such as a local park or historic site known for great outdoor photos, is a good option to avoid some problems.
Comparing Cost
Indoor and outdoor photoshoots are also not evenly matched when it comes to cost. Outdoor pictures are significantly less expensive than indoor photo shoots. With outdoor photoshoots, a great camera in the right setting with the perfect lighting is usually the only thing needed to achieve professional results. Indoor photoshoots, however, require more significant investments in equipment and studio rental.
Conclusion
Choosing between indoor and outdoor senior pictures is mostly a matter of personal preference. When making this choice, think about the venues available, the potential challenges in achieving the pictures and the cost. Whichever you will choose for your senior’s photo session, it is important to establish and keep communication with the photographer. This will allow for the creation of perfect senior pictures that reflect your family’s personality.