Saturday, April 18, 2009

High School Senior Portraits: How to Refer your Friends and Earn Cash and Prints

This year I will be attending my 10 year high school reunion. One of the most obvious side effects of growing older is lingering in nostalgia. Case in point; I have included my senior photo in the post. No comments please, I am well aware of how terrible the photo is. And no I didn't graduate in 1972- I just dressed like it that day. The point I'm trying to make here is simple, High School Senior portraits are not what they used to be! Today's seniors have the privileged of using photography as a art form and not just a historical (and embarrassing) record. Studio photography has evolved from your local department store cookie cutter photo factory with a selection of five backgrounds and zero chance of actually getting a decent photo into a high tech modern creative outlet. Digital and other photographic advances (radio flash technology, portable thermal printing, and of course Photoshop) has made the realm of possibility endless. Here a few examples.




















































These images represent what we do at Irene Jones Photography. We want to make real people look their best, show off their style and feel comfortable while doing it. I especially love working with seniors. You see I really found a love of photography in high school. Throughout that whole year I always had my camera at my side, and the same is true today.

For 2010 we have started a new referral program. Presently we are hunting for outgoing students graduating during the coming school year to help spread the word about our different photography packages and quality product. In exchange we are offering a free photo session and the opportunity for you to earn cash or photo credit towards purchasing prints. The friends you refer will earn free photos also, so everyone wins! It's a great program and our website has made referring as simple as following a link. Here's how it works.

1. Visit this link http://seniors.ijphoto.net/referral and complete the form to submit your application.

2. Once your application has been received you will be contacted by us to review the information and answer any additional questions we might have.

3. When your application has been accepted; we will contact you to book your Free Portrait Session. We like to contact our reps in a timely manner, so be expecting our call. Most of our reps are photographed on location and many times before the end of June. Your session will be between 1-2 hours in length and your photos will be online within 72 hours at our site for you to review.

4. About one week after your session you'll receive in the mail 50 personalized photo rep cards. These will have photos from your session included as well as your name, email address, link to our website, and coupon for 24 free wallets. It's now your job to get these cards into the hands of your friends so they can book their portrait session with us. Each friend that brings in their photo rep card will earn free prints for them and either $15 cash or $20 photo credit for you. You can also refer friends directly from our website with their email addresses. There is no limit to the number of friends you can refer online.

It's an easy way to put photos or cash in your pocket and share with your friends something you would probably have told them about anyways.

There are a few rules that you should know though. First off, we are limiting the number of reps from each school, so it's best to apply early (say NOW) if you want to get your free session. Second, you friends have to book a session. They must also bring in your photo rep card OR they must enter your email address when they visit our website through the link on their card or email. No other referrals will be counted.

Any questions? Let us know. Oh and don't forget to check out our new seniors only website!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Spring means great portraits on location!


Any Washington native will tell you, no group of people on earth rejoice more when the first sunny days of spring arrive then those of us in Western Washington. After six months of perpetual overcast, it's hard not to cut out early from work, throw on a pair of shorts and enjoy the great weather while it lasts! I have to admit I'm no exception and I love the warm spring air but for me, nice weather means it's time to get to work. This post is centered around all of the great types of photos that I love to shoot on a sunny Seattle spring day.

In my business the old real estate slogan "location, location, location" also applies. A great photo is often made by the surroundings. For example, below are photos recently done in Mt. Vernon at the start of the 24th annual Skagit Tulip Festival. The spring color of daffodils, cherry tree blossoms, and of course tulips, speak to the wonderful rebirth of spring like nothing else can. Being on location will always create a more comfortable

environment for your child, since all children are uniquely connected and fascinated by the variety of the outside world. This means more opportunities for portraits that reflect your child's personality and carry greater depth and personal significance then those shot in a studio. The images represent more then a photo school, the speak to an experience and how our children relate to the world around them.


Second only to my love of adorable kids, is the fun that photographing high school seniors brings. It's great to see these young adults as they move to the next phase. I find their goals, ambition, and personal perspective refreshing and I want to express that in each photo. Plus, photographing seniors is very similar to a fashion shoot, but without the deadlines and cooperate undertones. And going on location is the best way to capture all of that excitement. This time of year we are looking for seniors that are fun and outgoing to be photo reps in their schools. We provide a free location session lasting 1.5 hours and including as many clothes changes as you wish, free personalized referral cards (photos from your session), and all of your images on CD and ready to be uploaded to facebook, myspace, or anywhere you wish. For each friend you refer that books with us you'll receive a $20 photo credit or $15 cash. Presently we need seniors from all over the Pudget Sound, so please call us or email to apply. 425.367.4781 or irene@ijphoto.net .
















Finally,we have family portraits. Now most of us really only start to think about our family portraits during the holiday season. But by the time November rolls around, your options for locations are limited to anything indoors. This does not mean that the only portraits you can get are those done in a studio! I find the best location for family portraits to be where the family resides. This allows for a comfortable and relaxed setting and no worries about trying to make it to the studio without someone having a meltdown or falling in the mud. Spring and summer do offer a greatest variety for locations and many times the most memorable portraits. It just takes a little foresight and planning! During the months of April-June all location sessions for families of 6 or smaller can receive a 1 hour location shoot for half off! Simply mention this blog posting and save.