How To Avoid The 9 HUGE Mistakes
That Ruin Most Senior Portraits…

mer “I don't consider myself photogenic but the two of you really made me comfortable on the day of my session.  I liked meeting you before my session because it made sure that you knew who I was.  It also helped me to be more comfortable during my session.  I really felt like you had an interest in me and that I wasn't just another session to you, but that you really cared about what I wanted.”

~Sarah Mercado


Neuqua Valley H.S. ‘06

 

Dear 2008 Senior (or parent of 2008 senior),

It’s a good thing you’re checking this site out right now!  That tells us it’s important to you that your senior pictures(or your son’s or daughter’s) look really fantastic.  And yes, class of 2008 seniors are being photographed RIGHT NOW!

Okay - Admit it.  You Really DO WANT These Photographs To Look Fantastic, Don’t You? 

From a graduating senior’s point of view, nothing could be more disappointing than not liking the way he or she looks in that super-important portrait that all his or her friends and relatives will see!

On this webpage, we are going to reveal some powerful secrets to helping seniors look great in their portraits! 

Think about this a moment... more people will see this portrait than ANY OTHER PHOTOGRAPH you ever have taken!  Yes!  Even more than will see your wedding photographs!  So you want to be really proud of it?  Right?

Well, research has proven that the two major things that are most important to seniors about their senior portraits are:

1.) That they look really good in the portrait, and

2.) They also want the portrait to have some kind of "artistic quality" to it.  That is to say that the photographs themselves to look fantastic, as well as the senior looking fantastic in them.  There's a three dimensional feeling to it, and there's quality to the light.  And his or her personality comes through.  The portrait has what we call "SPARKLE" to it.

 By "Sparkle" we mean that when the senior’s friends and family look at this portrait, they say, "Wow, you look like a million bucks!  It's like you're going to step right off the paper and speak to me!  This photo of you is really great!"  That's what we call "Sparkle."

And we’re going to do everything we can to help your senior portraits have that special "SPARKLE!"

Why?  Because we love photographing seniors!  It's what we do with a passion!  You want to look fantastic in these photographs, and we’re going to help you achieve that!

Here's How To Avoid The 9 Huge Mistakes
That 9 Out Of 10 Seniors Make With Their Senior Portrait!

Let's go through the 9 huge mistakes that 90% of all seniors and their parents make when it comes to their senior portraits.

Obviously, you should contact us right away about whether or not we have any openings left to create your senior portrait.  We are extremely booked up already, but hopefully we still have some openings so that we can do your senior portraits for you. 

But that's not the point of this website.  The point of this website is to give you these 9 major mistakes that most seniors make in reference to their senior portraits.  If you don't decide to work with us, that's fine.  We still want you to be aware of these major mistakes, so you don't make them yourself when planning your portrait!

 

  "Thank you so much for making my pictures so beautiful. When I first saw them, I couldn't believe it. Not only were they beautiful, but they were also unique. They weren't the boring pictures I've had all the other years. I was completely astonished. You guys are wonderful and so patient as well. I had an awesome time working with you. Also, when my pictures were taken, I felt like royalty. I had an awesome time. Thank you so much."             

~Amy Polis, Romeoville H.S. '07

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Mistake #1 Ruins More Senior Portraits Than Anything!

Mistake #1 is wearing the wrong clothes!  This is very normal.  Even if the senior were a professional model, he or she still wouldn't know what to wear that would help him or her look the very best in a still photo.  The "Art Director" would say what to wear!  The “model” would just show up, and do what he's told!  The hair person does the hair.  The Art Director plans everything and tells the subject what to do next.

You see, people don't know what really photographs well.  They just don't know.  Well, we know.  That's our job.  And we love it.  And we're really, really good at helping you select the best clothing for your photographs - clothing that will help you look your very best.  We will help you with this.  Don't worry.

For example, certain clothing can actually make you look 20 pounds heavier than you are!!! 

Now, most high school seniors want to look as thin as possible in their portraits. Clothing makes a HUGE difference in this area, so let's make sure your clothing is really perfect!

 

Mistake #2 Is A HUGE Destroyer Of Senior Portraits! 

Mistake #2 is making mistakes with hair.  Many seniors goof this up in several ways.  But also, most photographers goof this up, too, because they don't know how to photograph hair properly.

This is such a big point!  As you know, your hair is a huge part of your appearance.  It can make or break how you look.  We’ve all had “bad hair days” and if your a photographer who doesn’t know what he or she is doing, your photographs will look like a permanent “bad hair” day.

One of the things that separates our photography from that of most of the other photographers in the area is that I pay as much attention to the light that is lighting your hair, as I do to the lighting that is illuminating your face.  And they are completely different lights! 

You see, if you study Hollywood Portraiture of the stars, you begin to see how careful the photographers are about lighting the hair.  And we are going to use these very same techniques to create your senior portraits to help you, and your hair look really, really perfect.

For example, many seniors who go to other photographers often complain that, if they have dark hair, that their hair seems to disappear into the background.  Or, if they have light hair, that their hair has no "life" or detail in the photograph.  Or if their hair is brown, that it doesn't look as great as they wanted it to.  It's not just how they combed or prepared it, it's how it's lit in the photograph, too!

Well, that's not ever going to happen to a portrait created by us, because we are going to take the time and the care in the lighting of your hair so it looks absolutely perfect. 

"I was really impressed with you guys when I was getting photographed.  You were very interactive, professional and really seemed to be having a lot of fun too.  Seemed very well coordinated.  When I saw the photographs for the first time I thought that they were very professional and very unique compared to other studios. 

When I passed out my wallets everyone said, 'These are really good!'  Thanks so much!"

~Kelsey Hubbard

Romeoville H.S. ‘07

Mistake #3 - An Amazing Secret Revealed!

Okay, we have to talk about blemishes here.  If you (or your son or daughter) have some, and who doesn't, you’re probably worried about whether or not they will show in this portrait. 

The HUGE mistake that almost EVERY SENIOR makes is that they don't ask the photographer about retouching before having the photos taken.  We know, every senior is embarrassed about blemishes, and doesn't want to talk about it to ANYONE - especially a person they just met. 

But this portrait is really important, and you want to look REALLY GREAT in it, so we need to talk about this blemish thing.

The secret:  Be absolutely positively sure that your photographer is going to carefully and painstakingly RETOUCH all your portraits - and do it to perfection!  In our humble opinion, a portrait that is not professionally retouched is NOT A PORTRAIT!  It's just a "picture" that no one cares enough about to properly finish and produce to the best quality that money can buy!

We guess that's another reason that so many seniors and their parents hire us to create their senior portraits.    We honestly, sincerely care about how you or your son or daughter will look, and we aren't going to embarrass you in any way, but we are going to do everything in our power to help you look "like a million bucks" in these portraits, so all your friends are really impressed!  (And "a million bucks" means THERE WILL BE NO BLEMISHES ON THE FINISHED PORTRAITS!)

s "Courtney's personality really comes out in her photographs, we really liked that about your work.  You were very professional and did a great job of making Courtney feel comfortable and special. After we viewed the photographs for the first time, we looked at each other and said that if you two were still in business when Courtney gets married-we would like you to photographer her wedding.  You have a great way of bringing out personalities in people in their portraits. And you both are very easy to work with.

~Courtney Lance's Mom Myrla

Plainfield South H.S. ‘06


Mistake #4 Will Ruin Your Senior Portrait!

If You Aren't Aware Of It! 

Most seniors don't realize that it takes longer than 10 minutes to create outstanding senior portraits. 

One of the unique things that separates us from all the other photographers in the area, is that we take all the time that is necessary to create portraits that you will be proud of.  Photographs that your friends and relatives will really like - yes like! 

That's what we're all about.  We're not going to rush you through like it's a factory.  We're going to help you through this whole thing.  We understand that this portrait is important to you, so we're not going to rush through this.

 

Mistake #5 Is A Little Technical,
But Extremely Important To You! 

Seniors (and an awful lot of photographers) don't realize how important light is in photography.  The wrong light, and the wrong direction of light can add up to 10-15 pounds to you on film, and also, bring out your worst features!

It's really a matter of life or death in portraiture.  The light is the "paint brush" with which we "paint" your senior portrait.  It's very important!

Now, one of the things that separates our photography from all the other photographers in the area is that we have studied light from the true Masters of fine portraiture. 

We understand that there is only ONE type and direction of light that will help you look your VERY BEST.  Only one.  And this is different for every person!

“I love my senior photos!  You guys were great, I've never really liked any photos that I take, but I had a hard time picking the photos you guys took of me! When you were posing me, I liked how I felt like myself and not feeling posed.  I really didn't want to do a lot of smiles and you were very accommodating. Everyone loved my photos and they told me 'They look like you!' ”

~Brittany Enoch

Plano H.S. ‘07

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Mistake #6 Determines A Great Portrait Or

A Terrible One!

Nine out of ten seniors don't realize how important posing is.  The most important word when it comes to posing is "NATURAL."  You absolutely don't want to look stiff and fake!  One of the most common comments we hear from our clients is how "natural" the portraits look.  Our seniors love how good they look, but they also love how "natural" they appear in the images.

You see, we understand that you want to look really great, but also you don’t want to be put into some weird, stupid, pathetic pose that makes you look stiff and unnatural. 

Yes, we will "guide" you so the composition and "look" of the portraits is really great.  But we will NOT push you around and try to put you into unnatural positions that are just plain crazy looking.  We will work together to help you look confident, comfortable, and just plain great.

This Is Extremely Important To You!

Don't Miss This:

You want to be sure to select a photographer who will not "manhandle" you with the posing.  The posing is so important, and should not be done by sticking you in the middle of your back if you aren’t sitting up quite straight enough!  But that's what so many photographers do.  Why?  Because they're in a hurry.  They have another 51 seniors to photograph before the day is over, and they can't take the time to "guide" you.  They just stick their hand into your back, grab you by the shoulders, and get you to sit up straight.  Not only does this make you really uncomfortable, but it also makes you look stiff!

That's why we call it "guiding".  We will guide you with words.  We don't grab you or poke you.  This is so important to helping you feel comfortable! 

However, we are really picky.  We may pick a little at your hair if something is out of place.  We straighten your collar or sleeves.  We straighten your shirt if it has a funny wrinkle in it.  Don't worry about a thing!  We'll make sure you look "like a million bucks”!  We're very picky, but we don't manhandle you - and we won't drive you "nuts" with being overly picky either!

The key thing with posing, is that you look honestly natural… 

The seniors we photograph tell us all the time how great their photographs look from a point of view of being natural. 

And so many seniors and their parents don't realize this when they're calling around to different photographers.  They have no idea how important this is.  So look at the photographs done by any photographer you're considering selecting.  Do they look natural, or do they look "posed" or stiff?

If you'll look at the photographs we've included throughout this website, you'll see how natural and comfortable they look.  And read the comments the people have said about their senior portraits.  Hopefully that will help you.

“You were both very enjoyable to work with.  You were very accommodating to our needs and you worked great with our horse. I really think that the chat we had before my actual sessions were a big help.  If I had never come in, I probably would have never taken a photo with my new horse, that was such a good idea.  I feel that it really showed everyone that I gave wallets to, something that was important in my life right now. ”

~Jaclyn Burke

Neuqua Valley H.S. ‘07

Mistake #7 We Hear This Mistake Over and Over!

The Myth-You HAVE To Have Your Senior Photos Taken By

“The School Photographer"

This is so untrue!  Sure, you may need to have your yearbook photograph taken by the "School Photographer" but that's it!  You've had your photographs taken the last 12 or 13 years by a "school photographer".  But now, have the most important photos of your life taken by a Portrait Photographer!

Why, you ask-what's the difference? Their are a ton of reasons:  We don't treat you like cattle, you won't have the same backgrounds and poses as everyone else, we make you feel comfortable-not rushed, we get to know you (and we have lots of seniors now, that are our good  friends!).  The reasons are endless, but the main reason, is that we CARE, we truly, honestly care that you will absolutely LOVE your senior portraits - and everyone does!  How do we do this?  We have you  come in before your session to sit down and chat with us for a few minutes.  This way we get to meet you and find out what your are looking to portray in your senior portraits.  What are your hobbies, likes, dislikes, are you involved in anything in school—stuff like that?  Ask around-does your "school photographer" meet with you beforehand - of course not, their too busy photographing hundreds of seniors throughout the year.  We photograph a lot of seniors, but because we spend so much time with each one, this amount is only about 3-5% of what the "school photographer" has to photograph.

 

ford “The Randall Studio experience is one of a kind. Unlike other studios, they actually care about what you want out of your photo sessions and try their best to meet your expectations. John and Christine Randall are, for lack of a better word, wholesome people. They’re not out to rob you or run once they get the money.  They kept the atmosphere professional while at the same time making a personal connection with me and my entire family.

If you’re looking for amazing pictures, a friendly environment, and remarkable service, the Randall Studio experience is for you.”

~ Steven M Ford

Romeoville H.S. '07

Mistake #8 Is Of Enotmous Importance!

Don't Miss This One!

This mistake has ruined so many senior portraits!  It's the mistake of not choosing a photographer who GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL BE REALLY HAPPY - and who will give you all your money back, if you aren't!

Here's our guarantee:  "You will be THRILLED (not just 'satisfied') with your portraits, or we will do whatever is necessary for you to be thrilled, or we will return every penny of your money.  No hassles and no hard feelings either.  We want you to be THRILLED with your senior portraits, and will spare no effort or expense to see to it that you are!  We absolutely guarantee it!"

You see, only a photographer who really believes in his product and service is going to be willing to have such a powerful guarantee.  So his guarantee is your first indication of whether or not you even want to work with him.  We just can't stress this enough.  Ask about the guarantee.  Listen to their reaction.  That will tell you if you want to trust your senior portraits to that photographer.

 

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“My mom told me to go to your studio to get my senior photos taken-since my brother Nathan had his photos taken by you.  I didn't come in for a chat like you suggested, because I didn't think that I needed to.  But I really should have!  When I came in and did my senior photos and you realized how much I was into my paintball-I thought it was really cool that you had me come back with my gear!

I thought that it was really cool how you were so excited to do the paintball photos.  And you had such creative ideas.  It was great how you prepared before my session by having a piece of plexiglass with paintball splatters on it.  Thanks for spending the time with me and actually caring to make sure that I liked my senior photos.  Originally, I wasn't all that excited about having my senior photos taken.  But once you started talking about having my paintball gear in the photos, I had a different idea about what I wanted or expected.  When I saw everyone else's senior photos and I look at mine, I realized that your suggestions and help really made my senior portraits stand out.

~T.J. Staunton, Neuqua Valley, H.S. '07


Mistake #9 Can Ruin Everything!

What's this mistake?  It's choosing the WRONG PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR SENIOR PORTRAIT.  Everything depends on that one decision. 

And hopefully, now that you know these 8 major mistakes that most seniors or parents make - you won’t make those mistakes!  You'll be able to choose the right photographer for yourself, based on all this new found information you now have!

Now, we may not be the right photographer for you.  But the fact that you're still reading this means we probably are.  Because we care about all the things I've talked about to you here.  But the only way you'll really know for sure if we are right for you or not is to call us.

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So What Should You Do Right Now?

Now, while it's fresh in your mind, pick up the phone, and call us so we can chat on the phone.  No charge.  No obligation.  No sales pitch.  We're not that kind of studio.  Our number is 630-226-5596 HERE.  We'll just chat.  You can ask us any questions you may have.  We'll see if there are any session times still remaining for seniors.  If there are, and if you'd like to, we can set up a time for you to come in, and chat a bit.  There's still no charge or obligation.  You do not need to have made a decision to hire us, before you can come in and chat with us!  No way!

Then, after we meet and chat, if you feel you'd like to have us create your senior portraits, fine.  If not, fine also.  We are here to help you in any way we can.  But we're not here to pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do.  The decisions are completely up to you.

CLICK HERE to receive your free Senior CD to view a great slide show with our past seniors.

However, we do want to urge you to act immediately!  Our schedule is almost completely full at the time I'm updating this site.  Very few senior session times remain!  Why?  Because we have such a great reputation from my past seniors we have worked with.  They tell all their friends, and then they all call me, and my book just completely fills up.  Plus, because we spend so much time with each one of the seniors we photograph, we can't photograph as many seniors as other photographers who have more of a "factory" arrangement.!

So if anything we have said here sounded the least bit interesting to you,
CALL NOW!  DO NOT WAIT EVEN ONE DAY ON THIS! 

We Have A Very Special Offer For You...FREE!

(But ONLY if you’re one of the first 12 people to call us this month!)

As long as you are one of the first 12 people to call us this month - just to chat - We will make you a FANTASTIC OFFER!  Get a 1 1/2 hour session for the price of 1/2 hour(Normally $60)-That's a savings of $40!!  So your cost is only $20 for this great session. This saves you a bunch of money!  But you'll need to act quickly!

Call right away.  We can’t wait to talk to you about your senior portraits! 
CLICK HERE

Sincerely,

John & Christine Randall
Professional Senior Photographer

PS.  Call us now.  We have an excellent reputation in the community, and we'll take really good care of you.  So call us today.  We'll just chat.  No charge, no obligation, no sales talk.  But don't put it off.  I know that at this moment, you aren't sure about your senior portraits.  That's fine.  But, please understand that because we spend so much time with each one of our seniors, we only have 12 session times remaining for this special offer.  So call right now.

PPS.  One last thing.  Having your senior portrait taken is such a personal thing, that you want to be sure you select a photographer who is not only really driven to help you look fantastic, but who you (or your son or daughter) also like and trust.  That's why we urge you to read the comments from some of the other seniors we've photographed, and then call us and chat on the phone.  This will give you an immediate feeling as to the type of people we are, so you can decide now, while we hopefully still have some session times available, whether or not you'd like to at least come in and chat.  We will enjoy hearing from you!