Our DD18 had a friend take her senior picture. My school worked in much the same manner - photos didn't need to be a formal, school type photo. We also purchased a photo of DD18 from graduation in the cap and gown (maybe $30).
I don't think that many kids at the local public HS got rings - my kid did not though I asked if she wanted one. I went to a private school and there was some tradition/ceremony surrounding the rings. Every kid got one - think it was at the end of 10th grade. DH did not get one (public HS) but many of his friends did. He recalled people getting the ring before or at beginning of 12th.
