Do I have a choice who will do my senior portrait? Absolutely! Contrary to what your school will tell you...you have the right to choose a competent photographer to preserve this important milestone in your life. They may force you into getting the yearbook photo done by them but that doesn't mean you have to buy the rest of their "junk" just because they have everyone convinced that they're the only game in town. Do you realize that this county is one of the few in the entire country where your school officials pick your photographer for you? Giving you no say in the decision making process. And believe me these contracts are not given on the basis of quality...their photographs are an adequate testament to this fact.

What about the school photographer's so called exclusive contract?
The term "exclusive contract" is a term that your school administration likes to use to bully you into using their photographer. This is done so you won't seek out qualified professional photographers such as ourselves to create this very important milestone in your child's life. They tell you that a certain photographer has an exclusive contract to photograph the seniors at your school. This whole concept of an exclusive contract is totally ludicrous. Only in this area could such a policy be thought up. Your school cannot enforce an exclusive contract clause when you had absolutely no input into the selection of the photographer. Besides...the principal may have signed some contract but you didn't. Therefore, you are free to select whomever you choose to photograph your son or daughter.

What about senior photography being used as a fund raiser for your school?
This is just another tactic that your school will employ so you will use the services of their photographer. Contract photographers are not selected on the basis of the quality of their work but by how much money they are willing to "give" to the school in exchange for the contract. In reality, in this area, "contracts" are not won but are bought by those who have the deepest pockets. This in a sense is very much like the recent controversy over the soda and snack machines that are being placed in our schools in exchange for the company's so called "donations".

When should I be photographed?
The deadline for most yearbook photographs (drape/tux) in this area is in the early Fall. With that in mind it is necessary to be photographed during the summer prior to your senior year.

Many seniors think that later is greater, but this is just not so. Wešve heard all the reasons...I'm too busy! I can't think of pictures right now! I'm waiting to get some new clothes! I just broke up with my boyfriend! I need to get a tan first! The excuses go on and on...

Every year we have to turn away a lot of seniors because they waited to the last minute. With the type of customer service and quality product we provide there is only so many seniors we can photograph during the summer months. That leaves a lot of seniors being photographed by their second choice. Even worse is being forced into accepting poor quality photographs from the contract photographer.

Now is the time to start planning your senior portrait. With yearbook deadlines early in the Fall, senior sessions have to be completed soon. So, if you truly want something special and the contract photographer's "cattle call" is not for you, then call soon and take advantage of our early bird specials. Don't wait to schedule your session late in the summer when everyone is trying to get an appointment.

Can I do some photographs outside?
You bet! We have one of the only outdoor portrait parks in the area complete with a pond and waterfall as well as a lot of other outdoor sets to bring out your personality. Bring your pet, your car or your motorcycle. It's totally up to you.

How long will my session last?
Our type of photographic sessions last anywhere from one to two hours. A far cry from the ten minute quickie session that your school provides...Sit here, look there, Click...Click...You're done...NEXT! Is that really how you want to be photographed? Like everyone else? Dull...Boring!! At Campanellie's we pride ourselves on the amount of personal attention and service that we provide for each and everyone of our clients.

What will my session be like?
Be prepared to have FUN! Plan to have the time of your life!! Youšve been waiting 12 long years for just this moment...so enjoy it. At Campanelliešs we don't photograph our seniors "cattle call" style so, you wonšt feel rushed or "just another number" like with the contract photographer.

Will my school accept our yearbook photos?
This is something that varies from school to school. We provide yearbook photos for a number of schools in and around the neighboring counties. However, many schools will use the tactic that " if I don't use their contract photographer, then my picture will not be included in the yearbook." Sadly, this is a method many contract photographer's and the school administration use to make sure you use their services. They will use excuses such as appropriate head size, background color, and consistency. Fact is that a competent "professional" photographer has no trouble in producing a yearbook photo of acceptable quality. Rather than winning your business by creating outstanding portraits, they resort to these scare tactics. This form of "photo terrorism" is a pretty low way to get your business and it tells you something about the confidence they have in the quality of their work.

If your school absolutely will not accept our yearbook photo then we will be glad to apply any fee that you had to pay for this photo to your final order. Perhaps, it's time for the parents of your school to remind them of "freedom of choice" and who is paying for your yearbook.

What about sessions and fees?
Before we photograph you we need to know what type of session you want to do. This is necessary so that we allow enough time for you and you won't be rushed at any time. All session fees have to be pre paid at least 7 days in advance in order to reserve your appointment time.

How will I order my final portraits?
When your paper proofs return from our lab we will put them into a deluxe leather album so that you may show them off to friends and relatives. You may take these out of our studio for a period of 7 days but only after a parent signs our "preview contract" and with a deposit of at least a basic package that will be applied to your final order. When you return your previews with your order full payment is required in order to process your final portraits.

What about artwork?
Unlike the contract photographer who is only capable of very limited artwork services we offer a full line of photographic retouching. Acne is taken care of automatically and there is no charge for this. Tan lines, stray hair, removal of braces, and any other corrective artwork can be taken care of and is quoted on a case by case basis.