What about my scheduled session?

So that we may be on time for you and the person scheduled just after you, your reservation to be photographed has a start and an end time. We have reserved this amount of time to ensure a relaxed and comfortable creation process. Please be punctual. Late arrivals may cause you to feel rushed, and may limit the number of poses and outfits we can do.

We recommend not scheduling anything else on the day you are to be photographed. You don't want to be late for your reservation. Rushing in or worrying about being somewhere after your reservation may cause you to look stressed in your portraits.

Before arriving, you should be dressed and ready for your first portrait. We will photograph the cap & gown and or yearbook portrait first if this is one of your selected poses. Please plan on arriving 15 minutes prior to your session.

What if I want indoor and outdoor poses? How does this work?

Great! At Patterson Studio & Gallery we offer both. Our Nacogdoches studio has been designed with High School Seniors in mind. Inside the Victorian studio we can offer the comfort of a controlled environment and great backgrounds. Natural window light, high key fashion, classic dark tones, we have it all. For outdoor poses, we have an awesome selection right here on our Nacogdoches studio property including East Texas only portrait garden, great for senior portraits. If you are looking for something off the studio premises, then you will need to select the Location Add-On session that allows for shooting away from the studio.

The key to any portrait is lighting. This is especially important outdoors!  When it's sunny, we work in areas of shade. If it's overcast, we no longer have a problem with direct sun and the overcast sky gives us beautiful light for portraits. A hard rain makes it impossible for us to shoot a full outdoor session primarily because it would get the camera equipment wet. If it's a drizzle or a mist type of rain we often still shoot the outdoor sessions. In fact, some of the best outdoor portraits have been done in a light drizzle since the light is wonderfully soft. So don't rule out being able to get your outdoor session done if the weather looks questionable. It could be perfect for senior portraiture!

Can I select the backgrounds and scenes I want?

Certainly! we actually prefer it. Though many say "you're the artist" and let us just do our thing... others bring examples or print-outs from the website and say we would like this one and this one and that one, but not that one because that's not me.

No Problem!  We then help you select which outfits will best fit the backgrounds and scenes you've requested. For the best results, we urge you to stop by the studio for a free, no obligation consultation. Sit and relax while viewing literally hundreds of examples. We will share some tips about clothing so you will know what sorts of outfits and colors to bring so they will work best with the backgrounds you like!

Not only can you select the backgrounds you like best, you can specify the poses you like best. While Greg Patterson often makes up the pose on the fly - if you see samples in our brochure or website of poses you really like, let us know... we're more then happy to give you what you like best! Seen it somewhere else? In a magazine? A friends senior picture? Bring it in - we'll improve it!

What Should I Wear?

Clothing - It's best to bring a variety of colors and dress styles like casual wear & formal attire. Here are some things to consider when selecting your clothes -

Casual outfits in earth tones work best for outdoor photographs.

Mid tones or dark solids are ideal for formal portraits.

Bright colors look great with our color key backgrounds.

White and pastel colors are perfect for lighter backgrounds.

Solids are always better than stripes.

How long does it take to see my portraits?

Typically we schedule your View & Choose Session five to seven days after your session. If you prefer, you may choose our proof folio option, allowing you to view your portraits via our proof portfolio. A $350 deposit is collected when selecting this option which is applied toward your portrait order.

Once you have placed your order, final portrait orders will be ready in 4-6 weeks.

Financial

All portrait session fees are to be paid in full when making your senior appointment. If you are unable to do this with a credit card, we will hold your session for 7 days for you to mail in a check or money order. If we have not received prepayment for your session within this time, your appointment will automatically be cancelled. Why do we do this? Simply, our time and yours is valuable. When you prepay your session, we are reserving the studio and artist exclusively for you.

Missed Appointments

Missed appointments cannot be rescheduled or refunded if it is less than 48 hrs. to your scheduled appointment.

Portrait tips for Guys

Shaving Make sure you have a fresh shave. A five o'clock shadow cannot be removed through retouching.

Hair If you plan to have a haircut, try to schedule it at least a week prior to your session. It is especially important in the summer when a fresh cut may reveal untanned skin!

Expression Bring your smile! We won't force you to do anything that you don't want to do. Generally, we do about 50 percent smiles and 50 percent serious expressions of guys unless you have a different request.

Accessories As you plan your wardrobe, don't forget the accessories! The right belt and clean shoes are really important!

Attitude Relax. A lot of guys say they had more fun at their session than ever expected. It's a one-time deal, so leave your worries at home. Be prepared to enjoy this experience and don't hesitate to call us if you have any questions.

Skin Facial shine is a problem that will show in pictures. Luckily you can do something about it Translucent powder which will reduce the oils on your skin (which reflect light-creating shine.) Remember, all your favorite stars and anchormen wear "full" makeup when in front of the camera! Also remember, too much sun darkens skin unnaturally, dries hair, shows bags under the eyes, and makes skin appear shiny. Sunburn cannot be repaired.

Wardrobe Guys these days are coming in with totally new attitudes about Patterson Studio & Gallery sessions! They've seen the great looks we can create...real, casual, and masculine. For your session to have real variety, put some time into your wardrobe selection. Don't be afraid to look good! Here are some general reminders: Make sure all the outfits you wear for all sessions are complete. You should dress from head to toe! You don't want to limit our creativity, and that will happen when we don't have the option of photographing you in a full-body pose. Be sure your wardrobe is clean and pressed! Wrinkles, rips and stains will show, and cannot be removed. Be sure your clothes fit. Super-oversized clothes aren't as flattering in senior photographs as they might be in person. On the other hand, anything too tight may confine you and make you look uncomfortable. Important: if you plan to do the Traditional session, bring a white dress shirt and tie for the cap & gown session.

Don't be afraid to get a little creative! It's nice to have some different looks! Try something more formal, business-like or really GQ.

Portrait tips for the Girls

Hands Make sure your nails and hands look good. If you don't want to get a manicure, at the very least, remove old, chipped polish. Apply a clear coat of polish and use some hand lotion just before you are photographed. Even if they're not your "best" feature, you can't escape that they are noticeably attached to the end of your arms, and they will show in portraits from time to time. Remember, if you paint your nails, do your toes too. You may do some barefoot poses and you'll want your hands and feet to match.

Makeup Most senior girls do a nice job applying makeup for every day wear. We strongly recommend that you bring and apply translucent powder to reduce shine; a light lip liner, a clear lip gloss and mascara. Don't overdue the makeup. What you normally do plus just a bit usually works great!

Accessories As you plan your wardrobe, don't forget the accessories! The right jewelry, hats, belts, and shoes really make the outfit work!

Hair If you plan to have a haircut, schedule it about two weeks prior to your session. This will give you time for it to lose that "just cut" look, and if it's not a cut you like, you'll have enough time to reschedule without losing your reservation fee. If you color your hair, don't forget that roots do show. You may want to make arrangements to have your hair colored before you are photographed.

Skin Shine is a problem that shows in pictures. Luckily you can do something about it. Bring translucent powder! It's just clear powder which will reduce the oils on your skin (which reflect light-creating shine.)

Also remember, too much sun darkens skin unnaturally, dries hair, shows bags under the eyes, and makes skin appear shiny. Tan lines and sunburn cannot be fixed. They will show in the finished portraits.

Wardrobe Make sure all the outfits you wear for all sessions are complete. By that we mean you should dress from head to toe! You don't want to limit our creativity, and that's what might happen when we don't have the option of photographing you in a full-body pose. Be sure your wardrobe is clean and pressed! Wrinkles, rips and stains will show, and cannot be removed. Be sure your clothes fit. Super-oversized clothes aren't as flattering in photographs as they might be in person. On the other hand, anything too tight may confine and make you look uncomfortable too!

Undergarments It may seem obvious, but in the preparation process, it is sometimes overlooked. Undergarments must be the right shape and shade for each outfit!...You know what we mean!

Attitude Relax. You're gonna love this. It's a one-time-deal! So leave your worries at home when you come to our studio in Nacogdoches, be prepared and you'll really enjoy this experience. Don't hesitate to call us (936) 569-7116 if you have any questions! We want you to be a positive part of the creation process! We can't do it without you!

I've waited till the last minute to do my senior portrait session and there are only a few weeks before graduation. Can I get something back in time?

Yes, but its at an extra cost you. We offer RUSH service for wallets only. The rush charge is $50 per pose and only available for wallets. Guaranteed arrival date is 10 days for your Senior wallets.