• Graduating from high school is a major milestone. Pictures are a fitting way to commemorate the occasion. Most high schools have long-term contracts with photography companies that visit the campus and provide each senior with a sitting to capture yearbook images. They don't always provide a lot of variety and they don't shoot at specialized locations. If you want shots that really represent your high school career, go with a local photographer and ask to incorporate your own ideas.
  
  

A Favorite Location

• Most local photographers will shoot at a favorite location for a fee. If you have a favorite place you spent a lot of your time, ask your photographer to meet you there. Tell him well in advance of the shoot so he can visit the locale. He will need to assess the lighting situation and make note of distracting backdrops. He might also want to choose a particular time of day according to when the light is best. If the place you've chosen is equipped with a public restroom, you may consider bringing several changes of clothes.
  
  

A Theme

• High school is full of activity. If you participated in an activity or sport consider being photographed in your uniform. If you were a cheerleader, pom poms and megaphones make great props and tell the story of how you spent your years in high school.
  
  

Accomplishments

• The high school years are full of milestones. You may have earned your driver's license or bought your first car during your senior year. If you have car you are especially proud of ask to be photographed with it. If you are an accomplished musician you may want to have your pictures include your instrument. Perhaps you've earned a lettermen's jacket and would like to wear it in your photographs. Senior pictures don't have to be contrived or of the cookie cutter variety. Put some thought into the process and the result will be pictures that you can always be proud of.