How can I convince my parents to let me get senior pictures?

Question

My moms not american (Irish) and she doesnt understand why I want senior pictures or what exactly they are.

I should have been a bit more specific earlier. My mom has no problem with getting me a yearbook, and I've already taken the picture for that. What she doesn't understand is why she should waste money on professional ones. My older brothers never asked for them, and I don't believe that senior pics were as much of a big deal when/where she attended school. Thanks for all your advice though. If all else fails, I guess I could get a job.

Answer 1

If only I didn't live in England, Maggie K, I'd offer to take your senior photographs for you - but I reckon I'd need the great-granddaddy of all telephoto lenses to do the job from where I am.
English teenagers feel just the same as you do - although we're not so much into yearbooks over here - it's very important to catch every stage of our lives to pass on the images to our children and beyond - and we deserve the best quality that we can afford.
There's some great advice in the answers that have already been posted - all more or less making the same valid points - you won't go wrong following these.
By the way, whoever it was who said, 'who wants to photograph senior citizens'? I happen to be 74 year old lady and I must tell you that I and my multiple wrinkles are much sought after as models in the portrait photography classes I run. Oh, we're funny folk over here.
Good luck, Maggie K, I hope you get your pictures.

Answer 2

First explain to your parents it is a senior tradition. Next show them the literature that comes with the offer from the school. If money is the issue then you will need to do your part. Suggest working for the money around the house, extra choirs etc.

Explain to your mother how important it is for you to take part in this American tradition and for the memories that it serves. Tell her you want to share them with family, friends and even her.
"Mom, I am growing up fast, before you know it I will be graduating from college and this is something I want for my scap-book and for my children".
You know, stuff like that.
Just be sincere, don't demand the picture and don't let them feel that you are wasting money. Be smart about how you ask. Remember it's all in the delivery.
Good Luck

Answer 3

Let her know that they are special photos that bring a close to all the hard years you have worked in school. The pictures will bring back memories made during your high school years, and your mom can proudly show them off to family members, neighbors, co-workers. You and she should be very proud of you for graduating high school and hopefully you will go to college too. Plus, a lot of schools hang picture directories of every years graduation picture. This is a big occasion in your life and you want to document it with senior pictures. Also, you will want your graduating class yearbook.
Lots of resumes now especially when you post one online(after college), you can post a picture with it. Having a professional picture would be great.

Answer 4

Tell them that you would really love to get your senior pictures because it would mean so much to you and you will have those pictures to look back and think of everything you accomplished in High School. They can also display this picture in their home because they are proud of their daughter for graduating and becoming a young woman! I hope you get them!

Answer 5

Show her an American yearbook and some websites with senior pictures. Just tell her that it is a bizarre American custom and you will be ostracized if you don't do it. (Not true but exaggeration is fair play when directed at mothers.) Point out the keepsakes you would be getting if you were in Ireland

Answer 6

Alright, a little bratty, but I can see where your coming from. I'm 14 and this is my second set of braces, but it's SO worth it. I've seen a ton of my friends get theirs off and they all look so great- it really is worth it. Why not try Invisalign (or is that more expensive, sorry, I don’t know)? But in the end, you really should get braces; I can't stress how much it's worth it in the end. Also, talk to your orthodontist. Maybe you’ll get them off by senior year. It depends on how bad your teeth are. Mine were terrible, I’ll have braces until my sophomore year, and I started in 3rd grade =[

Answer 7

I dont know about your school but mine required me to get professional ones from a credible photographer for my yearbook picture. That is the number one reason you should get your Sr. pictures. Beside that, explain that you trade them with friends, give them to realatives, and put them in your graduation announcements. You don't have to spend a ton of money. Just get the basic package and you can always scan the pictures if you want more! I suggest the "2 outfits." You get to pick one outfit which will most likely be the one you wear in your Sr. picture and the other one as a fun one that represents yourself.

Answer 8

Explain that this is a "right of passage" time for you and that you want to be able to capture this point in your life, to be able to view it later in your own life and to share your achievements with other members of your family (locally and abroad) as well as friends.

Tell her you want your children to be able to see what you looked like, what interested you most and who you were when you were in your late teens.

Offer to pay for them yourself, or at least pay a portion of the cost. She may be willing to allow you to take on some extra chores around the house, or you may be able to get an after-school job to finance the photos.

Best of luck -- and be sure to check into the best prices for the photos, so it's not a huge financial drain on you or your family. Sometimes new photographers are willing to do more creative staging, more natural backgrounds and more experimental shots (and charge you less) if you offer to let them include your images in the portfolio they are trying to build.

Congrats on your senior year!

Answer 9

You do not say why she objects. Is it a matter of the money? If it is, what can you do to earn the money to pay for them?
Being of Irish decent, I do not know of any reason her nationality would play a part in this resistance, so find out why she is not keen on you getting the pictures. If it is money, find a way to help pay for them.
If there is a religious reason, or some reason you had not thought of, at least you will know why she objects and that will guide you in negotiations.

Answer 10

Let her know that it is a part of your life that you want to remember. By taking senior pictures you get to be in your year book.