For many seniors, certain traditions are a vital part of their final year of high school. Senior portraits and pictures, in particular, are widely popular among students who wish to capture their precious 12th-grade memories. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, Green Hope High School switched from Strawbridge Studios to Cady Studios for senior portraits. The switch is accompanied by multiple changes in the sign-up process.
Green Hope Talon Yearbook advisor, Mrs. Emily Freeman, granted some insight into what motivated her to make this change and what positive aspects it will bring to the senior portrait process. She compared Cady Studios to Strawbridge Studios and noted that despite the name, “Strawbridge Studios,” there was no physical studio. If a student missed the week that Strawbridge came to campus, the pressure was put on them to find an alternate school that either hadn’t had their photos taken, or they would have to get the typical yearbook photo that is taken in the fall, and be left without a senior portrait.
Seniors can book a studio session or an on-campus session for their pictures. On Cady’s website, students will find a vast multitude of scenes and packages that they can choose from. The most basic package consists of a senior photo, a graduation photo and a picture with a simplistic background.
In comparison to the note that Mrs. Freeman made regarding the small window of time given to seniors to have their photo taken, Mia Gifford (‘24) shared that the process she went through with Cady Studios was quite the opposite. She was able to set the time that worked best for her, right off of their website and when she arrived at the studio there were multiple photographers waiting and ready to take her picture. When taking her photos she noted enjoying the screens all around her and the aid from the photographers with posing so she didn’t have to struggle to ensure that the photos would be how she wanted as she moved from scene to scene.
When Gifford was asked if she could give one tip to seniors who haven’t taken their photos yet, she explained that it would be to have an understanding of the scenes and the package that you have purchased so can plan your outfit accordingly. This ensures you aren’t clashing or have any issues at the actual time of the shoot because once you take your pictures there isn’t them if you aren’t happy with the way that they look. Gifford ended with the statement, “I had a good experience and it was very easy because they sort of coach you so you don’t have to know how to do things yourself.”
Cady has proven to be a newer and simpler method of senior portraits that allows seniors to have an easy and stress-free experience. Mrs. Freeman hopes to continue to work with them in the foreseeable future because she thinks, “they offer great options and their studio is a great space. When I have a scheduling question or change, Cady is super responsive and supportive.”
