So, first off - congrats on making it to your Senior year! Or..if you are a parent reading this, I'm sorry your baby is getting ready to leave the nest...or congrats on raising a functional (almost) adult - depending on how you look at your child's growing up. ;)
Secondly - I wanted to offer up some advice on some things to think about when planning your senior photo session. I mean - these ARE going to be forever included in your yearbook that all your classmates will have and look at for the rest of their lives...but no pressure. :)
Most people, I imagine, think "So, you choose the photographer and set a date and get your picture made! What more is there to it?" Well....there are actually several things to consider, and I want you all to be as well informed as possible. So, that being said, read on for my top bits of advice to make your senior session as fun and awesome as you want your senior year to be!
1. Choose your photographer carefully.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's huge. It's actually probably the very most hugest thing out of them all. (yes..hugest is totally a word.) There are several things to consider when choosing a photographer for any occasion, and senior portraits are no different. Here is a quick checklist to run through:
- Price - Duh...you need someone within your budget!
- Location - Is this person accessible to you? or are you going to have to drive to them? Either way is fine! You just need to know so you can fit that into your schedule.
- Style - Are you a little "granola"? Do you love the outdoors and sandals and nature? If so, then you probably need to find a photographer who is well skilled in shooting outdoors, in natural light, among trees, etc... If you love a more glam look, maybe find a photog who specializes in studio shots or more styled or conceptual (read: dress-up) shoots. Urban? Sportsy? Animal lover who wants to include Fido? All things you need to consider. If you love airy light filtering through trees during sunset, you probably want to avoid a photographer whose portfolio is 100% high contrast black and white images in an urban setting.
- Variety - This is something few people consider, but you want someone with some variety in their portfolio. You don't want your images looking the same as half of your graduating class! You want to stand out! So be sure your photographer has a variety of ideas and/or locations in mind and maybe a trick or two up their sleeves to make YOUR images one of a kind. Also - don't be afraid to suggest a location if you know of a place you want your session to be!
- Personality - This is a person you will be hanging out with for a while. This is a person that you need to have some type of connection with if you want your session to be fun AND you want to look cool and natural in your photos. If your personality seems to clash with your photog, it's going to be a long shoot, and you may end up looking stiff or uncomfortable in your images.
2. Look great - FEEL great
OK - this one may mostly be for the ladies, but guys - it applies to you too! Everyone wants to look good in pictures. I mean, it's one of the only tangible memories you will have for the rest of your life, so you want to look your best. And trust me, your photographer wants you to look your best too!!
Wardrobe choice can make or break the session. I typically recommend my clients wear what makes them feel good. Grab your besties and your mom for a shopping trip (in a store or in your own closet) and ask for honest feedback. Look for clothing that will stand out in a photo; that speaks to your true style; and that you feel great in. If you are confident in what you are wearing, that will shine through in your images. If you have specific questions about wardrobe, talk to your photographer about it once you've settled on a location. He/She may be able to give advice for what colors or prints are best to wear for certain types of shoots.
One more thing! If your photographer is going in a direction you didn't have in mind or asks you to pose in a way that feels awkward or very unlike something you'd naturally do, speak up! Professionals know the way to pose clients to look their best, but if you feel horribly uncomfortable in a pose, let us know. We can change it up!
3. Be YOU!
I know picture time is a chance to dress up or change your hair or do something special for a special day. But always stay true to who you really are! Do you wear Tivas every day of your life? Then I wouldn't recommend bringing platform stilettos to your session. Do you love red lipstick and black sequins? Then by all means - rock that for your shoot instead of opting for muted tones and a more "natural" look. Guys - if you love to hunt, then please, wear the camo! If you are uncomfortable in your clothes, that will convey in your photos!
Also - if you have a hobby or a passion or anything you just get super pumped about - include that in your session! Trust me when I say, we photographers LOVE it when our clients incorporate bits of who they are into their sessions. If you play a sport - bring your uniform and equipment! If you play an instrument or paint or act or sing - tell us! We will work that into your session - happily! Love your car? Love your dog? Love the college you've chosen to attend? Any of those things are great to incorporate!
**Moms...I see you. I hear you cringe as I say this - as you're thinking about your kid whose every day attire, at best, looks like it came from the bottom of the laundry pile after work day. :) THIS instance might be a good time to kick the wardrobe up a notch...not necessarily wear something completely out of character, but something a little nicer than basketball shorts and a slouchy tee. ;)
4. Timing is everything!
Do you envision yourself wearing the perfect little summer dress and some strappy gladiator sandals while picking wild flowers in an open field? Or do you love fall fashion so much that you want to wear a hand knit scarf with your green pea coat while playing in the leaves? Guys - are you hot natured and hate wearing long sleeves in the sunshine? These are all things you need to consider when figuring out the best timing for your session. A lot of seniors will get their photos taken the summer between junior and senior year, while others wait until fall or winter (or even spring, but that's pushing it) of senior year. Also - be aware of 2 things when considering timing:
- Yearbook or other school deadlines that might require a photo. Lots of school yearbooks have a September or October deadline for Senior ads. If you want your senior pictures to be in your senior ad for the yearbook, you might need to get them done pretty early!
- Busy season for your chosen photographer. If your photographer has a certain time of year they are swamped with shoots, it may be difficult to book during that time unless you book in advance.
5. Consider having your hair & make-up done.
I know...I know....I was just all "Be You!" and "Be comfortable!" and now I'm telling you to get your face painted by a stranger and get a blow out. ;) Here's the deal - cameras and lighting and editing and all kinds of technical stuff can tend to wash out your skin in a photo. So - at the very least, if you are doing your own make-up, you probably want to wear a little more than you normally would. However, having a professional MUA (make-up artist) do your face for your session would take some of the stress off of you, plus he/she would be able to tell you what colors and techniques would look good on you. Same with hair - I'm not saying get a fancy up-do! But having a professional handle that would be some fun girl time and might help you relax before you pose for the camera for a long time. :) Any professional worth their salt will be glad to listen to your wants and give you a look that makes you feel beautiful AND allows you to still feel like yourself.
OK - Thanks for hanging with me! My goal, as your photographer, is to make sure you have the most fun and stress-free session possible - all while capturing the real you! I know these tips will help you plan ahead for a fun day and perfect images! Senior portraits are, typically, the last professional photos you have taken until you get married, so they tend to hang with you for a while. They should be a representation of who you are and where you are going in life!
