Senior Portraits at Bentley's

Mailing List Companies

In our area if you don't have the school contract you don't have any access to addresses of upcoming seniors.  And these days about the only people that have the contracts are the out of town big photography companies.  So, that leaves us having to purchase mailing lists from companies that gather that information from other places, ring companies, sports leagues or other places that sell things to you and collect your age or class information.  These lists are not very accurate and cost a lot of money, but that is about the only way for us to get the information.  Every year we use our Senior Model program as a way for us to collect names and addresses from upcoming seniors, that way it is more accurate.  But just to cover all of our bases we purchase a list as well, that way we get names and addresses from schools where we don't have models.  About a week ago we did a mailing for seniors in some of the counties around ours looking for models and today when I opened the mailbox this is what I found.

All bundled together we had 55 postcards already returned that had the wrong addresses on them.  These were from the mailing list we purchased.  So, why are I telling you all of this?  I want be sure that we are able to get our senior information to everyone this year and I need your help!  If you want to be added to our Class of 2013 mailing list go to this form and fill it out and we will be sure you get all of our mailings for the Class of 2013.  By doing this you will find out about all of the great deals we are offering you and the Class of '13.  We are busy working on our catalog right now along with some great new specials.  Huge money saving specials!  Over the next few weeks senior models will be coming into the studio for some special sessions so be sure and check back here or on Facebook to see some images.

The most important thing about this post is this - go here and fill out this form!

Not Too Late Postcards

Yesterday postcards were sent out that said, "It's Not Too Late For Great Senior Portraits" to seniors all over the surrounding area.  These were just to remind you that it isn't too late to get some great senior portraits done before you graduate and leave home for college!  Face it, after you graduate and leave the next time you have anything like this done will be at your wedding.  After your wedding you will be working and then getting your own children's portraits done and it will no longer be all about you.  This is your last big hoorah!  Something to remember your high school years with, something for your parents to look at when you are gone.  Why would you trust anything this important to just anybody with a camera, or those pictures you had done at the school last summer?  Now is your time.  Get what you want and deserve, you have worked hard over the last 12 years.  Give us a call and get a special one hour studio session with unlimited changes of clothing for only $25!  If you want to go somewhere we can still go on locations and to downtown for a little bit more.  This special $25 session is for a very limited time, it will end on April 13, and a lot of things are going on between now and then.  So don't put this off any longer!

These are just a few we did yesterday of Crystal, she came last summer for a studio session but wanted some more in town.  While we had her we wanted to try out a few of our new backgrounds in the studio.  Oh, and even if you already had your senior portraits taken you can have more taken now with this special!

New Catalog for Senior Clothing

Today we got a catalog in the mail from Boston Proper, don't know why we got it but I am glad we did.  Every year we look for places to find clothing for senior portraits and this one has some really good things, look at the Winter clearance sweater section for some really nice sweaters at great prices.  One that is more local and has some great things is Entourage in Athens.  When choosing clothing look for something that is simple, solid colors look great.  Stay away from big stripes and big floral prints.  It is always, always, good to bring something black, remember I said always twice!  A great thing is to bring several things that are from other seasons too so everything isn't summery or wintry.  Sleeves are good, long or short, I would stay away from spaghetti straps.

The big thing to remember is: if it looks good on you or you get compliments on it, bring it!  If you look in the mirror and say, "Man, I look good in this!", then that is the outfit to bring.

Getting Better At What You Do

This is just a quick post about what is going on around the studio that relates to senior portraits.  No, it isn't too late for senior portraits!  That is the question we always here this time of the year.  Ok, now to get back on track.  A couple of weeks ago the Professional Photographers of America had a convention in New Orleans that I went to so that we could be up on the newest trends for this year.  These conventions and conferences are a great way to stay current on technology, backgrounds and trends in photography and learn from some of the best photographers in the world today.  It is also a great place to meet up with friends.  Something I heard last year that was pretty good was this - "Because of the influx of horrible photographers, there has never been a greater need for good photography!".  Since the beginning of my photography career, I say that because that is what this is for me, education has been a very important thing for me to continue to strive for.  So in that vein this weekend I am off again to a Senior portrait conference at St. Pete Beach, Florida.  This is one of the best that I have found for senior photographers anywhere, and the food is good too.  Another great thing about the timing of this conference is that over the next few weeks we will be having our senior model meetings for our models for the class of 2013.  In the past we have come back with new backgrounds, ideas for new sets as well as exciting new locations and poses.  This year we already are planning some new locations for our Senior Safari's, several new props and sets as well as some fun changes to our model program.  I can't wait to see what kinds of new ideas come home with me after this weekend!

Ybor City, from last years trip.

 

 

Senior Model Information

This is a quick update to all who have already filled out applications for our Class of 2013 model program.  We are currently reviewing all of the applications and will contact you by February 10th to let you know about the meetings.  As of right now we are still looking for models in the following schools:  Apalachee, Archer, Athens Academy, Athens Christian, Dacula, George Walton Academy, Hebron, Jackson County, Mill Creek, North Oconee, Oconee and Winder-Barrow. 

Anyone interested in applying who hasn't already applied you can do so here.  Or check out the blog post below for more information and links, that post even has more images!

Class of 2013 Senior Model Search Is On

Class of 2013 now is your time to shine!  Bentley Photography is kicking off it's Model Search for the class of 2013 and we are looking for you.  If you are looking for a fun way to kick off your senior year, look no further!  Every year we pick a select number of upcoming senior girls from local schools to represent us as Models.  As a Bentley Senior Model you will represent our studio in your school.  You will receive a free model session, business cards and a Facebook fan page set up just for you.  Being a senior model gives you the opportunity to make money, be seen in our marketing pieces, have a really fun model session and get some of the coolest senior portraits anywhere.  Face it, you will be famous!  And all of this is just the beginning.  If you are an outgoing person who is very involved in your school and are interested in applying, fill out the application form here. If you are selected, we will have a meeting for you and a parent to attend that will inform you about the other exciting things you will receive and do! 

If you go to any of the following schools we want you: Apalachee, Archer, Athens Academy, Athens Christian, Buford, Clarke Central, Collins Hill, Dacula, East Jackson, Faith Academy, Flowery Branch, George Walton, Grayson, Hebron Christian, Jackson County, Jefferson, Johnson, Loganville, Mill Creek, Monroe, North Oconee, Oconee, Peachtree Ridge, Prince Avenue, St. Joseph, Westminister and Winder-Barrow. 

If your school isn't listed fill it out anyway!  Only a LIMITED number will be chosen from each school!  Some schools already have a lot of people interested, not all will be chosen.  Be sure and list activities you are involved in. 

Applications can be found here and for a mobile friendly application look here.  We can't wait to hear from you.

Outdoors Now?

Can we still get our senior portraits done outside?  Sure you can.  Will they still have a lot of color in them?  Yes, but not spring or summer types of colors.  Actually some of the prettiest outdoor senior portraits we have done this year have been in the last month or two.  This time of the year we just have to do them in different places, and sometimes this is really good to change things up some.  Downtown is one place that is the same just about any time of the year.  Another place that is good is around our old truck and road trips to some really nice places out in the county.

 

Object Of Your Desire

Every year I seem to do just fine with what I have, and then comes Christmas.  I'm not much of a shopper so about the only time of the year I go to the mall seems to be now.  Not going out and seeing things makes you not desire things but now that I have been out and seen things it leaves me wanting things, lots of things.  How long is the list of things you want this year?  Mine was very short until I started shopping for other people and now it has gotten pretty long.  Some of those have even crossed over to the studio, three new backgrounds over the last month along with a new light that I couldn't live without.

So, with all of those things you are wanting for Christmas, and hopefully getting, how about coming by sometime in the first week of January and lets combine some of your new "stuff" with some of my new "stuff" and lets see what we can come up with.  How does that sound?  Pick one or two of your favorite things and bring them by the studio and lets do a quick session with you and what ever it is.  Oh, and why don't we do it for free!  That's right no session fee.  I get to try out some of the new backgrounds and lights and you get to be photographed with something you got for Christmas while it is still new!  Sounds like a win win proposition to me!

One thing that I forgot to mention is that I will be going out of town several times in January so you will need to call us soon so we can schedule it.  Yes, it seems like every January is "road trip" time, that is why the car is at the top of this post.  You could spend all of January at one convention or seminar of another and this year I will be going to two of them.  Late January you will have to be sure and check back here or on my Instagram or Facebook and see just what all is going on.

Haley, Sports and Models

Competition Cheerleading and Football season are over and basketball is kicking off.  If you were involved in either of those first two sports I know your lives have been crazy for the last few months.  What, you've been so busy you still need to come in for some senior portraits!  Give us a call.  Haley came in last Friday and we captured some great images of her.  Isn't it too late?  Not hardly, school still isn't out and you still don't have a diploma yet do you?  Come on in and let us show you just how good you can look, and how much fun you can have getting your portraits taken!

Class of 2013!  Keep checking back for important announcements about our senior model program that we plan on kicking off in January.  We will have an on-line application and a meeting to discuss all of the details of the program.  We plan on some really fun changes for the 2013 program along with a really exciting "Senior Safari", or maybe two.  As soon as we get everything caught up around the studio for Christmas I will post more details along with a link to the on-line application.

Congratulations WBHS

This past Saturday the Winder-Barrow Cheerdoggs competed at the GHSA state cheerleading competition in Columbus and brought home a State Championship!  Congratulations to the Cheerdoggs and coach Hulsey on another state championship.  I have been to a lot of the competitions this year and it was a very tight race for first between Ola, Peachtree Ridge and Winder-Barrow all year.  After spending the day watching all of the teams once again in the end you knew it would be one of those three teams that would win.  When all of the scores were counted up it came down to just a few points that separated first and second place, but that was all we needed.  A moving experience was when the bus arrived back in Winder Saturday night there were over 100 people on the sidewalk out in front of the school cheering and waving signs to great them.  It was a very moving experience to see all of that support in the middle of the night.

I know how hard you all work and what a fine group of people you all are.  I am very proud of the way you have represented your school and our county.  Congratulations again!