How to Create Edgy, Unique Senior Graduation Pictures

Seniors, you don't want "blah," "looks like everybody else in the yearbook" graduation photos, do you? You're unique, and your senior pictures should be too. Here are some edgy, funky, outside-the-box ideas for senior pictures.

Find out what your school allows. Our local high school allows no senior photos with fully body, hands, outdoor shots or props. It's very stifling for creativity, and the yearbook senior photos end up looking like a rogue's gallery. If your school yearbook staff wants only mug shots, have one standard pose taken for the yearbook, but be creative with other senior picture poses.

Tell the photographer what you want, not the other way around. Senior pictures are expensive. So far, I have invested almost $1,000 for three kids' senior pictures. The photographer is there to make you happy, so be up-front. Don't say you like something when you don't. When our oldest son had his pictures taken, he wasn't pleased. If he had spoken up, the photographer could have rearranged the poses (and saved me money on wasted pictures).

Explore alternate color tones. Ask the photographer to experiment with sepia tone or black and white instead of color with your senior pictures. I saw a photo shoot on MTV Styl'd in which they used unique color juxtaposition, photo negative, aging and cartoon effects. Other photos replicated Andy Warhol Pop Art and The Beatles Abbey Road album cover. Photoshop can create antique images, stylized photos and an array of unique senior portrait options. Remember, unless you took the image, the photos belong to the photographer. You'll need to get permission to retouch or use them yourself.

Explore background options. We live in Grand Haven on Lake Michigan. How many senior pictures do you suppose are taken at the beach? The beach is a beautiful back drop, but there are other choices, too. I'm liking those senior photos taken on old train tracks and in the woods. Winter photos are beautiful, too. One photographer friend uses industrial backgrounds: against an old building and in urban, even derelict areas.

Pose your face in a ways you like. This isn't elementary school. You don't have to grin and "say cheese" in senior pictures. You get to pick how you want to look. I don't smile in photos, or I use a Mona Lisa smile. Direct "deer in the headlights" shots are less attractive than photos with the subject looking away from the camera, too. Look at yourself in the mirror and compose your face in ways you think look good.

Consider props carefully. Photos with a musical instrument or soccer ball are acceptable. These reflect your hobbies. Aside from interest-related accessories, nix senior photos with pets or non-related props, as they look cheesy.

Consider dress and accessories options. Play with color, fabric and clothing styles. Take home photos to see how the clothing looks on film. Our son wore a hemp necklace with scarab beetle embellishment, olive knit hat and white polo shirt. These made a nice contrast with his red-gold curls and green eyes. Our daughter wore a flowered skirt and was barefoot on a swing. Her photos have a whimsical, natural look. Choose clothes for what looks good on you, not just because you like the clothing. Your clothing should accentuate you, not be the main feature of your senior picture.