We’ve begun booking senior portrait sessions for the Class of 2012!
This is the time of year when we get lots of questions about Senior Portraits and what’s involved, so we thought it would be a GREAT time to re-post some of the most Frequently Asked Questions that we get about senior portraits, and Dennis Kelly Photography:
There’s a lot to know about senior year. It can be confusing. As a father myself, I remember having a lot of questions about my kids’ senior year … college hunting, graduation, SAT’s, senior trip, etc.
One of the decisions you’ll need to make, if you haven’t already, is where to have your child’s senior portrait taken. You’ve probably heard a lot about Dennis Kelly Photography. Some things are true, like we do amazing work. Some are not, like it costs thousands of dollars to come here! So, here’s the straight answers to most of the questions we get about our studio and senior portraits in general.
How much does it cost? I’ve heard Dennis Kelly is expensive.
It’s really up to you. Although many of our clients love their portraits so much, they do spend a lot on them, we also have many clients that spend much less. We have portrait packages that start at just $269. Not exactly Wal-Mart, but you aren’t getting Wal-Mart quality here. If you compare how much we charge, you will find that our prices compare very favorably with other quality studios. Nationwide, our prices are actually lower than most studios of comparable quality. We do charge a session fee, which the school picture companies may or may not, but that is because we spend so much more time with each client. We find this is absolutely essential to get the quality and variety of images and natural expressions that we are known for. We simply won’t cut corners or hustle you out the door in 6 minutes to save a few bucks! What often happens is that our clients love their portraits so much they want to buy them ALL! We can’t really apologize for that. It speaks to the quality of work we do. Most clients buy in packages, and just like everywhere else, the more you buy, the better the value! When you compare the amount of time, effort and skill that goes into your session, most of our clients agree we’re worth every penny. But also realize that while we aren’t the cheapest, we do have sessions and packages for almost every budget.
Everyone in your pictures look great, but I don’t look like a supermodel.
We make everyone look their best, it’s what we do. We know how to bring out your very best features, and our style is always interesting, fresh, and exciting. That’s what really separates a skilled portrait artist from the high volume, mass market photography companies. Dennis is really good at what he does! Have you ever seen a bad picture from Dennis Kelly?
Don’t you have to get your pictures from the school photographer?
New Jersey public schools are required by law to accept our pictures. You do not have to go to the school picture company, even for your yearbook portrait. Many schools get a kickback from the school photographer, so they would like you to think you must go there. But the school can NOT require or tell you where to go. We also will provide you with a yearbook glossy or digital file absolutely free with any package purchase, so you’re covered!
Are there all kinds of “hidden” charges?
Most studios DO charge extra for many things like special effects and retouching. Most of ours are included. A few special things, like removing braces, require a small extra charge, but we won’t nickel and dime you with extra charges like some studios.
There are two basic fees involved in the senior portrait process: Session fees, which are for taking the pictures, preparing the previews and the ordering appointment (these vary according to what kind of session you want), and portrait sales, which is determined by what you actually want to purchase in the way of prints, frames, albums, etc. The final cost is determined totally by what YOU want to purchase.
I’ve heard it’s difficult to get an appointment.
It depends on when you call. In the middle of the summer, you may wait 3 weeks or more for an appointment. Of course, there are always “holes” in our calendar that pop up due to rescheduling and such. If you can take one of our “next available” spots, we can often get you in even sooner AND we’ll discount your session. Ask for the “next available” special! Dennis does photograph all sessions personally, and we do spend a lot more time with each session than most studios, so our calendar does tend to fill up, especially during the busier times.
I’ve heard Dennis Kelly doesn’t do “traditional” style portraits.
Not true! While we specialize in creative, fun, and exciting styles of photography, and offer dozens of different background sets and a full acre of outdoor portrait areas, we also do more traditional, classic style portraits too! And, we do them better than anyone! You can get the really cool, creative styles your senior wants, as well as the more traditional shots parents want and your school requires for the yearbook. We have drapes, tuxedos (with real shirts…not cardboard ones), and cap and gowns (if you want those). You’re covered!
Aren’t Senior pictures supposed to be awkward and boring?
Ah, NO! Dennis and the staff have lots of fun and are very laid back. Dennis is an International Award Winning Photographer. We love what we do. Everyone has a blast here. It’s much better than sweating in auditorium while you wait on the person in front of you. Plus, when you’re having a fun experience…it shows!!
I’ve heard Dennis Kelly can make anyone look good, he works “magic”.
Ok, you got us on that one! Don’t know about the magic part, but Dennis does know how to bring out the best in people.
Here’s how it works:
First, decide on the styles of portraits you are interested in. The different styles of sessions we offer are described in detail in the session guide you can download HERE. Or call us, and we’ll send you one right away. Each session package has an associated fee. It does not include prints. The session fee is not a deposit toward your order. You can reserve whatever you want, and there are additional options, like beach portraits or activity portraits, that you can add as well. You can custom tailor your session to be exactly what you like.
When you call the studio for an appointment, you need to tell us which session you want to reserve, so you need to decide that before you call. We can’t reserve the proper amount of time for you until you tell us what you want to have done! You’ll also need to know your work and sports schedules for the next several weeks, so we can find a time that works for you! Also, when you schedule your appointment, Dennis’ time is then reserved exclusively for you, so you need to pay for the session time when you call. Have a credit card handy to reserve your time.
When you book your session, we’ll send you a confirmation and a guide book that will explain everything you need to know prior to your session. Things like what clothes to bring, hair and makeup, directions to the studio, and all the other things you’ll need to know to insure a great session are explained.
On the day of your session, we’ll give you a “Senior Product Guide” that explains all the packages and extra things that are available for you to order. (This is also available to preview in advance by download HERE) You can take it home and start to decide on what you’ll want to order once you see your previews. You will be asked to leave a $250 deposit on the day of your portrait session. This deposit is applied 100% toward your order and is 100% refundable if you are not completely satisfied. You can order as little or a much as you want. After your session, we will schedule a time for you to come back in to view your images and place your order. This is usually about 1 to 2 weeks after your portrait session. All previews are viewed electronically in the studio. There are no “proofs” to take home.
You will be 100% satisfied with your senior portraits. If you’re not happy with your portraits when you see your previews, if the problem can’t be fixed, we’ll do more poses at no charge or refund your money. When you receive your finished portraits, if something isn’t right, let us know within 3 business days and we’ll fix the problem, even if we have to completely remake the order, or refund your money. You are never at risk of being dissatisfied.
It’s Easy to Make an Appointment. Follow These Simple Steps:
- Choose your session combination. You can also select additional options to add to your session combination if you wish.
- Call Dennis Kelly at 856-228-4399 and schedule your individual appointment. Studio times are reserved for you based on the session options you select. That’s why you must decide before you call.
- Have a Visa or Mastercard available, you’ll need to pay the session fee to schedule your appointment. We can’t reserve studio time for you otherwise. (If you can’t use a credit card, call us and we’ll tell you what to do!)
- Don’t put it off! Every year we have to turn seniors away who waited too long to make their appointments. Dennis photographs all sessions personally, and when his schedule is full, it’s full. Yearbook Deadlines are Right Around the Corner! Don’t be disappointed. Make your appointment today!
- For more information: Visit our website at www.dpkellyphotography.com
I was preparing to photograph a young lady’s senior portrait session the other day. She had her yearbook with her from the school, and she and her mom were looking through it as I was getting ready. The mom said to me, “You can always tell which pictures are yours in the yearbook!” I said, “Really? How?” She replied, “I don’t know, they just look… so much better! Can’t say exactly what it is, but they stand out from all the rest.”
“Oh, and how do they do with that?” I asked. “Not very well. First, it’s lame that they just try to rip off your ideas, plus, you can tell that they just don’t ‘get it.”
Well, they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but actually I knew exactly what they were talking about. There’s a whole new crop of “photographers” in the market these days who haven’t put in the years of training and apprenticeship to learn the craft the way I did when I was new to the field. I worked for other studios for 11 years before I felt my skill level was sufficient to hang out my shingle and advertise myself as a “professional photographer.” Now days it seems like having a website and a digital camera is all it takes. Heck, you don’t need to take time to learn posing and lighting and all that stuff! It doesn’t matter if the picture is too dark, or off color, or poorly lit… just throw a Photoshop effect on it and call it art… or, find a photographer that everybody likes and try to copy whatever he or she is doing. Most people won’t see the difference.
Here’s an interesting third party link for any woman considering celebrating her “inner diva” with an alluring portrait: 
