Some of my most frequently asked questions questions regarding sorority recruitment are the following:
“Can we use these photos for senior pictures and for sorority recruitment?”
“What is the difference between senior pictures and the pictures we submit for sorority recruitment?”
“Do we need to do two separate sessions to make sure we get everything we need? Or will one session be enough?”
My response to these questions is quite simple…you ABSOLUTELY can use your senior pictures for sorority recruitment pictures and only have to have one session. (cue a round of applause from the busy, senior mommas :)!)
What is the difference between senior pictures and the pictures you’ll submit to sororities? Absolutely nothing.
Back in the day, potential new members would send in a picture of them wearing a solid shirt, pearls, and leaning up against a tree. There was a “type of look” that potential new members were going for, but luckily, this has changed.
Sororities want to recognize you when you walk in the door during recruitment. These pictures are being used to remind members what you look like so they’ll be able to put a face with a name the moment you arrive.
During your portrait session, I’ll take a variety of images of you looking at the camera, looking away and even trying out different expressions like laughing or a serious face. These images provide a variety of shots for your senior picture collection. I make sure to take all of the angles and expressions needed for sorority recruitment in every outfit. Because these pictures can be accomplished during a fraction of your session, we can take fun, artistic shots with different expressions to show your personality off and to provide you with multiple types of shots. There is no reason to have an entire album of the same expression and pose just in different outfits. Don’t be afraid to express yourself and to have fun!
I like to remind parents that senior pictures are a long-term investment. I would hate for someone to spend time, effort and money planning for a fun portrait session and then have it catered to accomplishing 3 similar looks that will be seen momentarily by 19, 20 and 21 year old girls. This investment should be what YOU want for your walls and make sure that it is something you’ll want to look at long-term. Now that I think about it, my mom kept my senior picture up on the wall until I got married!
Sorority recruitment picture DOs:
- DO submit pictures where you’re looking at the camera, smiling and looking natural.
- You wouldn’t walk into sorority recruitment frowning or wearing your most perfect “America’s Next Top Model SMIZE”. You’ll be smiling, making eye contact, and having a good time. In other words, save the fun, artistic shots for your coffee table book or instagram pictures. Not for sorority recruitment images.
- DO submit pictures where your hair is the same color as it will be during recruitment.
- These pictures are being used to recognize you when you arrive, so make sure to submit pictures where your hair is the same color as it will be during sorority recruitment. You want to make sure you look like your pictures you’re submitting!
- DO submit a picture where your outfit is modest.
- This might sound silly, but these pictures are being used to make a lasting impression on girls…not your boyfriend. Low cut tops and short outfits are not the way to leave a good impression on girls. They’re memorable, but for all the wrong reasons.
Sorority recruitment picture DON’Ts:
- DON’T submit a picture where you’re doing an uncomfortable or unnatural pose.
- I will never forget when I was in a sorority and a girl sent in a picture of her propping her head up on her hands that were in the shape of a heart. The pose was so distracting that we only remembered her “heart hands” and not the girl.
- DON’T submit a selfie
- Make sure to get good use out of your beautiful senior pictures by submitting these and not selfies during recruitment. You want to put your best foot forward and selfies can sometimes not send the best message.
Want to see examples? Click HERE for sorority recruitment picture examples.
