ARE CLOSED CONTRACTS FAIR

Something has been on our minds for a little while and I was just wondering if anyone else has been thinking about this:

 This will be the second year that our local High School has decided to close the yearbook to all senior class pictures except those taken by the contracted school photographer. Until last year, students could submit photographs taken by other photographers as long as they fit a certain dimension and were taken on a blue with brownish tones canvas backdrop.  Now all students are forced to go to the same photographer regardless of personal taste or ability to pay. 

 So what is wrong with this situation if the student has the choice to get the yearbook photo for free?  First of all, there are a very limited number of sessions offered that the student can choose – two, maybe three at the most.  The student is out of luck if he/she is unable to make any of these sessions.  Second, the shots that are taken at these sessions are very limited.  If they blink in one shot and have a bad expression in the other shot, they then must pay to have the photo retaken.  Basically, students getting the free shots don’t have much of a choice when it comes to their yearbook photo.   

 In 2004, a bill titled “An Act Concerning School Photographers” (Bill number HB-5576) went to the state legislature.  The purpose of the bill was to allow high school seniors to use a picture taken by a photographer of their choice, to be valid for the yearbook.  A hearing was held, and many people including students, parents and school administrators came out in favor of the bill.  However, the bill never made it into law as a result of a strong lobby by some of the big contracted photography studios. 

 In Conclusion, it should be the parents’ right to choose who photographs their son or daughter for the high school yearbook since they are the ones that are paying.  Any parents and students who are unhappy about this should let their opinions be known to the school administrators and yearbook advisor.   Regardless, parents and students should know that they do not have to go to the school’s contracted photographer for anything but the yearbook picture. 

Well, if anyone has comments on this whether in agreement or not, we would love to hear them!

Nicole and Ben’s Engagement Session

We had an amazing engagement session with Nicole and Ben who will be married on June 7.  Here are a few of our favorite images from this session.  

This portrait of Nicole was taken in our barn using all natural light.  

 

 
 We take most of our engagement sessions in our yard.  These two photographs were taken directly across the street from our house.

 
    

 
This is our favorite tree.  It is always prettiest in May..

   

We have a studio in our home for more formal looking portraits.

 

 

 

 

First HS Senior of the Year

We are really excited to have photographed our first high school senior of the year — Chris Varano from Plainville! Chris is actually graduating this year. Most seniors have their photos done the summer before they enter their senior year. We are so glad we got to photograph Chris since we did his sister Erin and brother Jimmy’s photos in previous years. We think Chris’s photos ROCK!!! Here are some from the session which included an awesome set at the railroad tracks in town. Please feel free to post all your comments on Chris’s photos — we’d love to read them!