Frequently Asked Questions & What To Wear
Who owns Focal Point?
We are family-owned and operated since 1973 by the Jakacki family. You can meet our family members and Focal Point “family members” on any given day while visiting our two studios. While we have the capacity and resources of a large company, we guarantee you will have the care and attention of a small boutique. When you step into Focal Point, we hope you feel the fun and relaxed vibe of our place.
How do I book a session?
Call us at our Farmington studio (248) 478-1113 or our Plymouth studio (734) 459-8800 and we will help you answer any questions, especially choosing the session that suits your style. Your session is the only fee due at the time of booking and is refundable or applied to a rescheduled session. Click here for our studio hours.
What does my senior portrait session fee cover?
Your session fee covers a unique one-on-one experience with your photographer. Our goal is to capture the real you- your personality and style! Don’t worry about knowing what to do. Once you show up, you’re in our hands. We will make your portrait session fun and relaxed with “unposey” poses! At Focal Point, your session automatically includes a retouched yearbook and composite portrait delivered to your school, hassle free.
How far are you booking out?
Feel free to call the day before, sometimes we may have an opening. However, weekday sessions typically book about 2-4 weeks out and Saturdays typically book about 3-6 weeks out.
Do you do outdoor portraits?
Yes! We are known for our natural light, outdoor and on-location photography. Our photographers take pride in specializing in all light sources; indoors and outdoors. Look at our Pinterest for outdoor outfit inspiration! Outdoor sessions are from May-October.
When do I schedule my outdoor portrait session for fall color?
The last two weeks of October are the best for fall color. Call two months in advance to guarantee your session for the short and popular color season. Don’t be afraid to call last minute to see if there is an available appointment.
What should I wear for my senior portrait session?
We love to help select the right outfits for you. For variety, consider all seasons when choosing clothing, even if it’s 10 or 100 degrees out!
A few suggestions…
Black - This is a chic look and a trend that never goes out of style.
White - Fresh and bright. Most people save their white outfit for indoor shots in our all white room.
Trendy - Wear an outfit from head to toe, that is in now, but you will laugh at in ten years! It’s fun to capture the style of the time.
Denim - It’s a great texture in portraits. Paired with red, blues, or any color gives that Americana look and is very timeless as well.
Formal - A prom dress, tuxedo, and cool shoes inspire high fashion images, as well.
Lifestyle - Show us who you are outside of school: artist, musician, gamer, athlete, book worm, equestrian, collector, you name it. This is a great way to wear the outfit that expresses your special interest(s). Bring props to complete your look.
Yearbook portrait clothing:
Boys: 50% wear a suit and tie. The rest wear a long-sleeved shirt with some type of lightweight sweater/quarter-zip over. This looks better than just a shirt alone. If you choose to wear just a shirt, avoid white and light colors at all costs. White and light colors are best as a layer underneath a sweater, jacket, or quarter-zip. If a tie is worn, we recommend a Full Windsor knot! Click here for an easy tutorial.
Girls: A long-sleeved solid color top or dress. Keep jewelry simple and avoid tank tops. Off the shoulder and strapless shirts or dresses may get cropped out in the portraits.
Avoid busy patterns such as stripes, florals, and large logos for your senior yearbook portrait.
Most importantly, wear clothing that is YOU! You won’t regret any combination of the above! View our Gallery or Pinterest for more inspiration. If you don’t know what to wear, bring in your closet and we will help you pick before we start. Arrive earlier than normal for this service as to not cut into your portrait session.
What do I bring on the day of my session?
Depending on the session you selected, a deposit may be required on the day of your session.
Your favorite outfit(s) and accessories. At our studio, you will have your own dressing room to put all your stuff in.
Optional: Special props related to your interests i.e. hobbies, sports, and passions.
Most importantly, your positive attitude. We’re excited to meet you!
Can I include a friend in my session?
This is your time, however, we welcome you to bring one friend or family member for a buddy pose. More than one extra person should be booked separately as our Friends Session or Family Matters Session. All seniors are gifted a Family Matters Session after their final senior portrait order is picked up.
Can I bring pets in the studio?
We love pets! However, Focal Point wants to ensure everyone is in a safe and allergy-free environment. Pets are welcome outside of the studio during outdoor sessions.
Who is my photographer?
Your photographer is part of a small crew of six! They have been working together for years and take interest in each other’s sessions. All of our photographers have a degree, are professionally trained, and are rated among the best in the country! In fact, our photographers have had the honor of teaching photographers from all over. To make your experience comfortable and a success, we have a crew of trained assistants to help you and our photographers during your portrait session.
Is everything broken down into payments?
Yes, we have a payment schedule designed for each senior portrait session. If you need a custom payment schedule, feel free to ask.
Do I get digital files?
We know you are excited to share your portraits with friends and family on social media. So, we designed a selection of portrait packages to also include digital files. Portrait Packages Coming Soon!
Focal Point is known to be a full-service studio and our clients expect high-quality, retouched portraits and products at a good value. The joy of our profession comes from creating amazing images for our clients using our expertise to produce high-quality products with our stamp of approval. We believe your portrait experience and investment should be more than a flash drive that ends up sitting in your drawer, or digital images that get lost on your phone/computer. We have our own in-house printing lab to ensure your beautiful portraits end up on your wall for years to come.
When will my final order be ready?
Approximately four weeks after your order is placed. Our team of retouching artists and printers who handle your portraits are all in studio and the best in the country.