Senior Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ Header

Can I take my senior portrait myself?

You may not take your yearbook photo yourself—we print only professional quality portraits in Embers, and specifically, we print only those portraits taken by our contracted photographer, Robert Taylor Photography.


Can I have my senior portrait taken by a photographer of my choice?

Our goal is to achieve a unifying appearance of all senior portraits in the yearbook; we don’t want any of the photos to break visual consistency and stand out in a negative way. To that end, we require all seniors to take their senior portraits with Robert Taylor, our school photographer. You may certainly elect to work with another photographer on your own, but we will not print those photos in the yearbook.

Please note that there is no obligation to order prints or a download of your portrait, and we offer an opportunity for single-sitting sessions on campus each year at no cost to students or their families.


Is there anything I should/should not do to prepare for my senior portrait?

Yes! There are a few things you should keep in mind:

  • You should avoid getting a haircut within a week of your portrait sitting—it tends to be obvious that you’ve just had it done. Instead, give your hair a chance to grow just a little bit, which will help it to look more natural.
  • We suggest avoiding extreme haircuts; remember that your yearbook portrait will last—and be public for everyone to see—forever. Not all hairstyles age well, so select a style that you’re truly happy with!
  • Ever hear the expression “love the skin you’re in?” Well, we firmly believe that it’s true! After all, who else has your unique skin color but you? Some color from the sun looks nice, but you should avoid going tanning within the days leading up to your portrait sitting; you run the risk of getting burned or, in the case of artificial tanning, of your skin appearing an orangey color in your portrait.
  • Dress to impress! Avoid wearing a t-shirt or anything else you’d typically wear on an average day.
    • If you plan to wear a blazer, we suggest a dark color over a white shirt with a tie.
    • If you plan to wear a dress or blouse, keep in mind that solid colors tend to look best; we recommend one that contrasts your skin color. In general, long sleeves photograph better than short sleeves.


When can I view my proofs?

Your proofs will be available for viewing online here about three weeks after you’re photographed; no proofs will be mailed to you.

When you view your proofs, please keep in mind:

  • If you opted for a free sitting, you will be shown only one proof when you log in (this will be the photo you approved before leaving your session).
  • If you opted for multiple poses and your sitting fee has not been paid, your proofs will not go online until your account is paid in full.
  • Your proofs will not be retouched; no retouching is done until after your place your order and/or select your yearbook pose.
  • Any portraits you order will be retouched.
  • All yearbook portraits will be retouched.


What if I don’t like my portrait? Can I retake it?

Yes, you can retake your portrait if you don’t like it. However, there are fees associated with this service:

  • If you originally selected the free sitting option, or if you chose the free sitting option and paid the $10 retouching fee, then you will need to pay for the “Basic” package ($25) in order to retake your portrait.
  • If you originally purchased the “Basic” package, then a retake fee of $20 will apply.
  • If you originally purchased the “Classic” package, then a retake fee of $30 will apply.

All retakes will appear in your online gallery three weeks after your retake sitting. You may keep your original photos.

To schedule a retake at the studio, call Robert Taylor Photography at (203) 377-0739.

There may also be opportunities for retakes on campus during “Last Chance” senior portrait sittings, depending on whether or not there are any time slots available (seniors who have not been photographed at all will be given priority).

Please note that if you wish to schedule a retake, you must do so by October 15th, 2022. After that, we cannot guarantee that your retake will be included in the yearbook.


How do I select a pose for the yearbook?

  1. Follow the instructions to view your proof(s) here.
  2. The first time you view your personal gallery, the following message should appear:
    “A yearbook pose for this gallery has not been selected yet. Would you like to do that now?”
    Click the “Yes” button.
  3. Select your pose, confirm the spelling of your first and last name (do not enter any nicknames as this may delay processing and prevent your photo from appearing in the yearbook), and click the “Submit” button. Please note that all yearbook pose selections are final.

You must select your yearbook pose by November 1st, 2022. If you do not select a pose by this date, a pose will be chosen for you.

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