Student portraits are always worth the investment. While your school’s yearbook photos can document your growth over each grade, you’re subject to a photographer, style, and a standardized look that you didn’t choose. Since you’re paying for the photos either way, why not get the images you actually want? Still on the fence? Let’s compare student portraits vs. yearbook photos—and why Sarah Arnold Photography has a portrait package perfect for celebrating your student.

The Purpose

The purpose of yearbook photos is to provide a consistent, official image for each grade. The bright side is that it’s built into your school calendar, with no additional research or scheduling needed. The downside is that they’re designed not to capture your student, but the student body as a whole. 

The purpose of student portraits is to capture each student’s unique personality, style, interests, and growth beyond the walls of the school. Student portraits can be fully customizable sessions, from the location to the number of outfits worn, props used, and people included. They tell a broader story of your life through each year, and allow friends, family and extended families to see more of who you’re becoming. 

Style vs. Style

I’ll give yearbook photos this, at least you always know what to expect: A formal, head-and-shoulders style shot with a school-issued backdrop. Or nowadays, additional backdrops added through photoshop in an up-charged image package. No proofs to see, no choosing the best image, and no additional images to keep. And while they can be a nostalgic favorite, when it comes to capturing each year, I highly recommend booking a local photographer for more personal student portraits. 

Portrait sessions with Sarah Arnold Photography are one-hour sessions that include lifestyle, candid, and posed photos. You choose a location and reserve a time and date based on your needs. I provide 110-150 high-resolution, digital images with artistic editing to download and print however you wish. No photoshopped backdrops. Just timeless, joy-filled images that make your heart swell.

Student Portraits: Closing Arguments

They say yearbook photos are the images we love to hate. We’ve been taking them for generations. We know what to expect, and we don’t have to schedule any additional time. But we still have to pay (an arm and a leg) for one image. And at the end of the day, even though we paid for it, do we really want to share that image, give it to loved ones in a frame, or even save it as a keepsake beyond that year? Is the image that’s going into the holiday card?

The bottom line is that senior portrait sessions are the most widely known, but student portraits can be taken—and should be taken, if you ask me—at any age or grade. They showcase your changing style, personal growth, and milestones in a personal way, giving you images you’re proud to share and display for years to come. The experience is enjoyable. It’s also flexible, from the photographer you choose to the locations, wardrobe, accessories, and themes that reflect your passions.

Ready to get started? Let’s talk, Colorado students! I’d love to bring your vision to life. 

Your wedding menu is an important part of planning your big day. You know what they say: Your guests will remember your dress, they’ll remember your photos, and they’ll remember the food! But where do you start? While some venues and planners have pre-ordained vendors to narrow things down, there’s still a whole wedding menu to craft from there. Need some guidance? As a professional in this industry for more than a dozen years, I’ve got you covered. Let’s get started with my favorite wedding menu tips and trends!

Wedding Menu Tips

Start with the budget. There’s not much worse than coming up with the perfect wedding menu only to end up with it just out of reach. Knowing what you’re willing to spend on food heading into conversations, planning, and tastings can make things more clear from the very start, and give your potential vendors a parameter for what they should and shouldn’t present as options. 

Then choose a style. My advice? Choose a style that’s consistent with your wedding’s theme. Plated meals are both formal and traditional, and they take up less space in your reception area. A buffet is most cost-efficient, and gives guests the freedom to pick and choose their meal, or a family-style dinner could fit a more fun and friendly vibe. Food stations require some space, but they also provide variety and freedom of choice without giving up too much structure. Whatever you choose, make the choice before getting your heart set on any specific wedding menu items. 

Make it personal. Your wedding should reflect your love story in every way, from the date to the venue, flowers, colors… and food! If you and your fiance never eat cake, why have one at an event that celebrates the two of you? But if your families are traditional, a stunning multi-tiered cake might just be a perfect focal point. If you met at a restaurant, or if you have a favorite date night haunt, consider serving that style of food at your reception. Give some nods to your love story so the whole day tastes, looks, and feels like… you!

Things to consider: Personal tastes, seasonal availability, and dietary restrictions. One way to consider all three? Plan to offer options. Showcase your preferences (because who has just one?) and ensure you’ll be able to get what you need—and so will your guests!

Wedding Menu Trends

Interactive experiences. 2025-26 brides are all about creating unique hands-on experiences for their guests, including the wedding menu! Build-your-own taco bars, sundae stations, pasta bars, and burger stations are great ways to make your guests feel like they’re part of the special details, and help foster a real family/community feeling among your guests. 

Cultural celebration. Whether you’re native to your venue’s state, a transplant or even planning a destination wedding, the wedding menu is a great place to celebrate your family’s culture—or allow guests to fully experience the tastes of the celebration itself! Industry trends show an up-tick in themes like sharing locally-grown foods, dishes made famous in your wedding city, and even menus that share and celebrate family and ancestral heritage. 

Grazing tables. If the meal styles mentioned above don’t fit your wedding vibe, consider grazing tables instead. They’re huge for 2025-26 weddings! Instead of traditionally plated meals, create large table displays of assorted meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and spreads for your guests to enjoy. Why stop at one? Keep things fun with tables for desserts and late night snacks, too.

Whatever you choose, be sure to set a menu and plate aside for your wedding photographer. Don’t believe me? Check out these dreamy detail shots! You’ve worked hard on these details. Let’s help you remember how special each one was forever!