Photographing high school senior boys requires a different approach than photographing high school senior girls. Many photographers focus their marketing efforts on the young women because their general interest in photography is usually higher.
Nevertheless there is a strong market for male portraits which is often undeserved, providing a less competitive opportunity for a savvy photographer. The following article offers tips for serving this market.
1. In a pre-session consultation, discuss with the young man what types of props he would like to bring. Ask him about his interests and activities. Creating an image that will match his style is key to a successful photo shoot.
2. During the shoot, photograph at less of an angle than you would for a young woman. For example, get a few shots of him standing feet apart with his shoulders square to the camera. This will make him look wider and position him in a masculine pose. In addition, turn his head so you can see more of his jawbone. The more you are able to see, the larger it looks.
3. When marketing to the young man, offer a scaled down version of your regular senior portrait packages. The time commitment (i.e. half hour sessions) and the price should be low. Remember, young men are much less likely to spend resources on photography. Your scaled back offer may be music to his ears. Don't worry too much about not gaining much of an order. High School Senior boys usually bring their mothers to the shoot. Don't space these shoots back to back. Let the client know his session can be expanded for an additional fee. While the half-hour session gets the young man in the door, his mom will often seek for additional time.
4. Before presenting your images to the senior, narrow them down to the very best shots. Too many images will overwhelm your client. This is true of all clients, not just senior boys.
5. Exchange a free digital image with your contact information on it for becoming a friend on his Facebook page. This is a win-win concept. He will get a free digital image to share with his friends. You will get exposure to all of his Facebook friends.
Following these simple steps will make a photographer more successful in marketing and photographing high school senior boys.
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