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Graduation photos and senior pictures can encapsulate the immense growth a person experiences in four years, or they can flop.

For area photographers, new trends mean new challenges. Nina Reider, a self-taught photographer who graduated from New Castle High in 2021, explained some subjects are not immediately comfortable in front of the camera, which can make the pictures look unnatural and rigid. She tries to give them inspiration and support so their personality shows in the photos.

Susan W. Patton, a Shenango Township professional photographer, said she tries to turn the shoot into an experience to get the whole picture of the subject’s personality. Part of that experience includes incorporating trends.

Trends often seen in these photos like spraying champagne everywhere or launching a cap into the air are a relatively new way to add personality and flair while displaying the photographer’s skills in stopping motion. However, photographers themselves have different opinions about them.

“I think it’s super fun,” said Oliver Sager, a hobbyist photographer who graduated from New Castle High in 2020.

Sager, who is studying for his master’s degree at Tiffin University, has been practicing photography for about five years. Shooting with sprayed champagne was one of the first graduate photos he took. His strategy was to keep clicking and hope something turned out without getting the camera wet.

His only complaint was when people did not pick up trash from the bottle after the shoot.

Reider, who graduated from Youngstown State University on May 5, has a different take on the champagne spray trend. She considers herself proficient but would not consider herself a professional.

“I think it’s basic, I’m not going to lie,” Reider said. “It’s a classic, basic, obligatory thing to do, but I support them if they want to do it.”

She also explained when trying to capture a champagne spray or cap thrown in the air, it often either flops or looks beautiful.

Besides champagne, Reider does not have as much experience with props but wants to gain more. She started taking graduate pictures in March 2022 and took her sister’s pictures in December later that year. She said she was nervous but very happy with the photos.

Like Sager, Patton likes the champagne trend and tells her clients to bring props that are meaningful to them and give insight into their personalities.

“Anytime you can turn (the photo) into a story makes it fun as long as it looks authentic,” she said.

What Patton does not like is when photos look too “Pinterest-y” with excessive props and overused poses.

Each photographer also has different styles of planning a shoot and what they like to shoot in a session.

“Every student would have a different experience, so I try to let them tell it through the photos,” Sager said.

Sager typically plans some shots ahead of time but likes to have the client lead him around campus to get their perspective on the experience, especially the iconic buildings with a wide-angle lens. If the subject is studious or athletic, they will take Sager to associated places where that part of their personality shines.

Reider typically arrives before the shoot to explore a new location and looks for spots with good lighting and backgrounds. She also looks at Pinterest before a shoot to gather inspiration.

Since Patton primarily photographs high school seniors, she is more likely to receive clients who do not want any part of the planning.

Patton prepares ahead of time by gathering information from her clients about their styles and interests. She also requests a photo of the outfits they plan to wear so she can pair them with locations that make sense — like avoiding a pink sweater with a red background.

Pricing can also differ widely between photographers, even professionals. Patton sets her session prices between $225 and $425 depending on the location, and she typically shoots anywhere from 750 to 1,200 photos in a session with her Canon R5. About 150 of those make it to the client in the final package, but Patton said it is usually more because she also tries to include candids and in-between moments. Prices fluctuate for digital or print copies.

Reider does not charge as much since she is usually taking pictures of people she knows, she said. She charges anywhere from $40 to $100 per session based on travel and editing time. She tries to cap herself at 400 photos per session with her Sony A6400, and about 100 or fewer make it to the client in the final package.

Sager’s pricing works differently because he practices with both a DSLR camera and a film camera. His session prices start at $40 and increase with the amount of film he uses. He uses a Nikon ZFC for digital and a Minolta for film.

While Sager described his style as more airy and atmospheric, Reider described her style as natural and earthy with bright colors.

Patton explained she did not have a style, but shoots what she sees. Everyone has a unique eye and pays attention to different things, she said. She also highlighted the importance of research before choosing a photographer.

“As long as you have a camera, you can create magic with a creative mind,” Reider said.

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