Formal cap-and-gown graduation portraits have become harder to find through schools, leaving some Seattle-area families to look elsewhere for a basic sitting.

For households seeking a traditional portrait rather than a broader senior photo package, price is a major concern. A plain studio session focused on the cap and gown, rather than a trendy outdoor shoot, is generally the goal.

Mall-style portrait studios still offer a place to turn for these sittings and remain associated with lower-cost school and family photo packages. Older department-store photo counters also still shape what many families expect from graduation portraits, even though some of those familiar chains are gone.