Let's Dance! With so many proms canceled in the past couple of years, you may have wondered if your Senior Prom 2022 was even going to happen. I am so happy to report that most schools are making plans for prom this year! Prom is an important celebration and a rite of passage for many teens. You wouldn't miss this night for the world! It's your chance to get dressed up, look fabulous, and have a blast making memories with your friends.
Between buying your prom dress or renting a tux in Louisville KY, finding the perfect dancing shoes to go with it, booking a limo, deciding on professional hair and makeup, talking and planning with your friends where you are going to eat before prom and what you'll do afterwards, you might be thinking: Do I really need to hire someone to take our pictures when I can take my own pics using my cell phone or my parent's camera? That's why I thought know was a good time to go over my Top 5 Reasons You Should Hire A Professional Photographer For Your Prom Photos!
1. Your prom pictures are your special time-machine. In years from now, you will look back at them and get to live the feelings you were experiencing at the time all over again: the excitement, the happiness, the adventures, the inside jokes, and the endless laughter. Each photo will be a reminder of the best moments we spent in high school with our friends.
2. Every picture will be of the highest quality. Professional prom photography is the best way to showcase all the details you spent time planning...and money purchasing! Consider that your dress can cost from $100-600 or more, and tuxedo rental or a full prom ensemble for guys starts around $200. Isn't it worth it to invest in professional photography to make sure you get truly share-worthy images of you looking your best in that fabulous dress with your charming date in his handsome tux?
https://www.jimsformalwear.com/myjfw/build-a-tux/styles
While we are talking about prom expenses, let's not forget fresh or silk flowers, shoes and accessories, the pre-prom meal, and your ride.
Fresh flowers from Lloyd's florist https://www.lloydsflorist.net/ will run $55-65 for a prom bouquet or $35-45 for a wrist corsage, and $10-25 for a boutonniere. Expect to spend a bit more for silk flowers if you want to be able to preserve your prom flowers. This is one area that people often try to save money by DIY but really by the time you purchase the typical supplies a floral designer would use, wouldn't it make more sense to let the professionals do it?
Renting a limo or party bus is a fun way to make sure everyone arrives at the party safely, and gives your parents the night off from driving! Expect to spend $75-150 per hour with a 6 hour minimum.
The Hummer Stretch Limo in the photo below was a rental from Xtreme Transportation, Louisville's premier limousine and party bus provider. Their pricing depends on many elements like how long the driver and vehicle is needed, what type of vehicle is chosen to rent, gratuity for the driver, etc. It’s recommended you book a vehicle as early as possible, they book up fast! Luckily, these celebration specialists provide top-notch customer service and will give pricing when you call 502-795-3525 or inquire via their Prom page: https://www.xtremetransportation.com/special-events/limos-and-party-buses-for-prom/
Whether you DIY Corsages or spend hundreds of dollars on your prom accessories and activities, the pictures are what you will remember. Invest in professional quality images, so you can keep the photos forever, not just some temporary pictures that you can only use on Instagram.
3. Expert posing, lighting, and direction. Many people are nervous about being in front of the camera. They aren't sure what to do with their hands, or the most flattering way to stand. Hiring the right professional photographer can make all the difference in the world!
Jill Nissen of The Proof Photography has studied posing, lighting, and direction under some of the top senior, fashion, and wedding photographers in the world - Lindsay Adler, David Beckham, Alison Carlino, Cris and Deanna Duncan, Dan Frievalt, Katelyn James, Jason and Joanne Marino, Roberto Valenzuela, and more! The difference SHOWS in the final images.
Your face and your clothing will be well-lit. Your expression and pose will look carefree and relaxed. From groups to individuals you will be amazed at how much fun the photoshoot is when someone is directing you on how to stand, where to place your hands, and giving you prompts to elicit genuine reactions. In the end, you might not know exactly why you LOVE the images so much more than the ones you have taken before. Subtle differences in the way we stand can make legs look longer, waists look slimmer, accentuate jawlines and cheekbones, and make the eyes pop in the photos.
4. Besides the emotional value they have, your prom photos can also serve as proof of the evolution of style over the years, from your hairstyle and makeup to your fashion choices. No matter how careful you are to pick the right dresses and coordinate colors with your dates and friends ( I gave tips on Prom Fashion in THIS ARTICLE ) trust me when I say you will have a good laugh when you check out your prom pictures with your friends years later! I love this article on the Manolo blog defending your right to wear whatever dress you want! http://manolobig.com/2010/03/29/in-defense-of-bad-prom-dresses/ because for most of you, "senior prom is in all likelihood one of only two times they’ll really get to wear a ballgown, the other time being their wedding."
Having high quality, professional prom photos ensures that you will have those images preserved to look back on.
5. The fifth and arguably most important reason to hire a professional photographer for your pre-prom pictures is that you want to be able to look at your prom pictures and remember how much you enjoyed the experience, instead of how worried and stressed out you were. The same goes for your parents! Let's face it, most people don't have professional photographers for parents, and even if they do, it's totally different when it's your own kid. Your parents deserve to enjoy this moment and relax while reflecting on how much their "baby" has grown up and how beautiful she looks. Being able to stand back and observe during your professional prom photo session is one of the best gifts they can give you, and allows them to truly celebrate what is sure to be one of the most cherished high school memories for both of you.
So there you have it. My top 5 reasons to hire a pro for your prom photos. As cheesy as it may sound, prom truly is a milestone. For most of us, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate a point between childhood and adulthood in a unique way. But if going to a formal dance with a date sounds like your ultimate nightmare, don't do it! Your parents and others will probably tell you that one day you will regret going to prom, which may be true. Would you consider going to your prom with a friend or a group of friends, instead of a date?
If you want to avoid the prom scene completely, you could get dressed up and go out for a celebratory dinner with your family or friends. If you are feeling really ambitious, you could host an Anti-Prom party and invite everyone who feels the same way you do about prom. You're about to enter college, so I think you are old enough to make your own decision on this one. However, I would still suggest hiring a professional photographer for whatever you do decide to do! Whether it's prom or your own version of celebration, capturing THAT memory is what's important.
Jill Nissen is the owner The Proof Photography in Louisville, Kentucky specializing in studio and on-location portraits for high school seniors and families. Jill is a proud member of the PPA (Professional Photographers of America), an organization dedicated to helping photographers grow their practices, exceed customer expectations, and push the artistic envelope. Whether you are a high school junior or senior getting ready for prom, military formal, or other special occasion, or a parent looking for professional photos of your child, contact Jill for more information and a free consultation!
2 Comments
Apr 27, 2022, 5:26:43 PM
Jill Nissen - My pleasure! I’m a firm believer in investing in things that last
Apr 27, 2022, 5:03:42 PM
Deanna - Awesome tips! Thank you for sharing these great thoughts and ideas! :)