SENIOR PORTRAITS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR SHOOT



Your senior portraits should capture a moment in time and reflect who you truly are. We find our clients do best when they feel prepared for their session and are able to relax.


We’ve come up with some helpful tips to ensure you enjoy your session and look fantastic in your photos. You’ll find that quite a few of the tips are for girls, but many of the tips will work for boys’ sessions as well.


We’ve done hundreds of senior portrait sessions, and we always have a great time with our senior clients. We also take the responsibility of capturing your senior photos seriously. You and your family and friends will be looking back on these photos for many years to come.


LOCATIONS- When you start thinking about your senior photos...location is a key consideration. Depending on the package you decide upon you can choose the location(s) or the photos will be taken at one of our locations. We mainly shoot at a gated property in the mountain with a variety of scenic backgrounds. A few places we get requests for... sports fields, guitar shop, city, creek, flower fields, etc.


WEATHER- 95% of our senior sessions are outdoors. We watch the weather closely and will determine the day before or the morning of your session if we have to reschedule due to weather concerns.


THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SENIOR PHOTOS...


Make sure to hydrate the day before and the day of your session. This will keep your skin plump and glowing and keep your energy up as well.


Get a mani/pedi if that’s your thing. Your fingers and toes will show in some photos.


Get your outfits ready: iron if needed, use a tape roller to remove any hair, dust, etc. Try your outfits on to ensure you have the right color undergarments. Nude is a great option, and sometimes matching a bra with a top looks great. It is not a bad idea to do a few poses in front of a mirror in your outfits to see how they look sitting, leaning, squatting, etc. *If your 1st outfit wrinkles easily, where something else to your session and change at the location. 


Some helpful items to bring to your session: touch-up makeup, blotting cloths, Argan oil or something similar for flyaway hairs, something to put your hair back, a handheld mirror, brush/comb, hairspray, towel, water, and a lint roller.


OUR BIGGEST TIP FOR PREPARING FOR YOUR SENIOR PORTRAITS

Our biggest tip is to breathe, relax and know you are in good hands. We’ll have a great time! Before you know it, we’ll have you laughing and enjoying your senior portrait session. We’ll have plenty of ideas for poses, but feel free to send ideas as well. 


IDEAS FOR SENIOR PICTURE OUTFITS

One of the questions we get the most is - What outfits or clothing should I bring? The total outfits you are photographed in will depend on the package you are choosing. You can add outfits for an additional fee.


1. WEAR WHAT YOU LOVE.

Wear your favorite outfit in your closet. Even if it’s a flannel shirt and jeans because you’re going to feel the most confident in it.


2. WEAR WHAT FITS YOU WELL.

When it comes to dressing for senior pictures another tip is to only wear clothing that fits you well. You need to be comfortable in your clothing to have good pictures.


If you’re unsure of what fits you well, try everything on before your portrait appointment. If you still need help choosing, bring a diverse wardrobe to your senior pictures, but don’t expect to wear everything you bring. We can help pick what we think will photograph well.  



3. TIPS FOR PICKING COLORS AND PATTERNS.

When it comes to colors and patterns, We have a few suggestions.


- Avoid large or busy patterns. Try to stick to small patterns or solid colors.

  

- Say yes to texture. A little lace, a flowy dress, denim anything or even a fuzzy scarf or hat can add a pop of fun to your photos without being overpowering.


-Colors - everyone has a different take on color. We LOVE color; it adds a richness and depth to your photos, but not every color is created equally. Rich jewel tone colors -teal, navy blue, burgundy, forest green, mustard, plums, and maroon always photograph well with almost any skin tone. Pastels also look amazing with most outdoor backdrops.


-Neutral Colors - Wearing neutral colors with a beautiful background for your photoshoot simply makes your pictures look elegant and timeless. Some neutral color options are black, grey, white, and cream colors like tan or light brown. 


Avoid neon colors because they can be very overpowering in your photos and create casts on your skin.


-If you aren’t super into color, try using it on a smaller scale- a pair of bright red pumps or a chunky turquoise necklace


-Accessories and shoes can make or break a senior portrait outfit. Jewelry is essential, even if you don’t wear it on a daily basis. It finishes off the outfit and adds sparkle to the photos and its a great way to add a pop of color to a mostly neutral outfit. If you plan to tuck your top in or are wearing a non form-fitting dress, a belt is a nice addition. Hats and Jackets are our favorites because it can completely change the look of an outfit so you basically get a two-for-one! 


-Shoes often dictate the final feel for each look- either casual or dressy, so think about what you want the overall feel of the outfit to be. From your best sneakers to cowboy boots. Do not overlook shoes.


-Consider wearing a uniform as one of your senior picture outfits? If you have a hobby you are passionate about, why not make that uniform one of your outfit options!  Capturing you being YOU is our goal, so put on your jersey, dance leotard or surfing wetsuit (any uniform you may have).  Don’t forget the equipment/shoes that go with the uniform.


-Props - Do you love to read? Bring your favorite books. Are you a gamer? Bring your controller/computer/headphones. Musician? Bring instruments. Do you really love car? Bring it! You get the idea!! Adding props in a few of your photos will reflect who you are now and what you love.



IF YOU ARE STILL UNDECIDED...

- Bring several options! We know what photographs well and are here to help you pick if you are unsure.


OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION-


*The balance of your package is due the day of your session. If you have questions about the total please contact us ahead of time. Cash is our preferred method of payment but we do accept checks, venmo, and paypal for a small fee. Having payment ready for the day of your session ensures that you keep your spot in our editing queue.


*If you are choosing your locations...please make sure we have directions and cell numbers for the day of your session.


*Directions to our Fishing Creek location (Where we shoot 80% of our sessions) are located at the bottom of this page. Please text 717-202-7202 for any questions or concerns.