Seniors

SENIOR PICTURE PREP GUIDE

A few tips to help you feel confident, prepared & completely yourself!

Senior pictures should feel like YOU — your personality, your style, your interests and this stage of your life. Don’t stress about getting everything perfect. I’ll guide you through the session, help with posing and make sure we capture a variety of images that you’ll love.

OUTFITS

The number of outfits depends on the type of session you choose:

    • 15-minute session: 1 outfit (we can usually do a quick shirt change)

    • 30-minute session: Up to 2 outfits

    • Full session: Up to 3–4 outfits

    • Choose outfits that feel like you and give us a variety of looks. You don’t need to make every outfit formal or overly styled. Your everyday clothes can often make some of the best photos!

    • Once we decide on your location(s), I’ll let you know which outfit I recommend starting with.

WHAT TO BRING (totally optional but fun!)

Props and personal items are a great way to make your session unique! Consider bringing things that represent who you are:

    • Sports equipment or uniforms

    • Musical instruments

    • Hats

    • Books

    • Dance shoes

    • Hobby-related items

    • Anything meaningful to you

You don’t have to use everything you bring — we’ll choose what works best.

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GIRLS

Nails: Your hands will be in a lot of photos, so don’t forget your fingernails! Clean, neutral nails photograph beautifully and work with every outfit. And don’t forget your toenails — barefoot photos are adorable!

Remember to bring:

    • Jewelry and accessories

    • Hair accessories

    • The correct undergarments for each outfit

    • Shoes for each look

A few things to keep in mind when choosing outfits:

    • Long, flowing skirts and dresses are MY FAVORITE!!!  and create gorgeous movement in photos.  I always say this is a must unless this is 100% out of your realm of style. 

    • Avoid too much stark white. Bright white can become very harsh in photographs, especially in strong natural light, and can pull attention away from your face. Cream, ivory, beige and softer tones are often easier to photograph.

    • Avoid large logos, words or graphics that can distract from you unless this is some kind of favorite band tee or similar

    • Super bright or neon colors can reflect onto your skin and affect your skin tone.

    • Make sure your clothes fit well and are comfortable enough to move in. If you’re constantly pulling, adjusting or worrying about your outfit, it’s going to show in the photos!  

    • Don’t forget, you will be sitting, kneeling, walking, twirling, singing (just kidding) for photos, so keep that in mind too!

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GUYS

Dress like yourself! You don’t need to wear formal clothes for every outfit. Bring a mix of casual and slightly dressier looks that reflect your personality.

A few things to keep in mind when choosing outfits:

    • Avoid too much stark white. Bright white can become very harsh in photographs, especially in strong natural light, and can pull attention away from your face. Softer whites, creams, light blues and other muted tones are often easier to photograph.

    • Be prepared to sit, lean, kneel and move around in your outfits. Make sure your clothes are comfortable enough to move in.

    • Try to avoid shirts with large logos such as Nike, Under Armour or Adidas. Simple, classic pieces tend to photograph better and won’t date your images as quickly

    • Be cautious with neon or extremely bright colors. They can reflect color back onto your skin and become the first thing you notice in the photo.

    • Make sure everything fits well. Clothes that are too baggy, too tight or constantly need adjusting can make posing more difficult.

    • Clean your shoes! Your shoes will probably make it into more photos than you think.
      And remember — these aren’t hard-and-fast rules. If there’s an outfit you absolutely LOVE, bring it! We can always decide together whether and where it works best.

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LOCATIONS & WHAT TO WEAR

Trust me on the locations! Tell me the kind of look you’re going for and I’ll suggest locations that fit your style. It’s much more about the lighting and time of day than finding a “perfect” location.

Urban locations tend to work beautifully with more polished, modern or edgy outfits. Think dressier looks, jackets, button-downs, boots, statement shoes, bold colors or fun patterns.

Nature locations usually lend themselves to a more relaxed, natural feel. Think jeans, earthy or neutral tones, casual outfits, sweaters, flannels and long, flowing dresses.

Once we decide on your location(s), I’ll help you decide which outfits will work best and which one to start with.

QUICK CHANGES

Don’t worry if there isn’t a dressing room at our location! Quick outfit changes in the car or tucked away somewhere on location are completely normal during senior sessions.
Keep outfits organized and easy to change into so we can spend our time taking pictures instead of searching for shoes!

 

YES, YOU CAN BRING YOUR DOG!

Absolutely! Dogs can make some of the sweetest senior photos.
Just keep in mind that bringing a dog adds a little extra layer of stress and logistics to the session. Dogs don’t always cooperate with our photographic vision. 😂 Having someone along to hold the leash and keep your pup happy when they’re not being photographed is especially helpful.

BRING A HELPER!

A parent, sibling or friend is always welcome — and honestly, it can be a huge help!
Having someone along is especially helpful for:

 

    • Keeping track of outfits

    • Carrying shoes and accessories

    • Keeping track of props

    • Helping with quick outfit changes

    • Holding your dog’s leash

    • Fixing hair or clothing between shots
      You don’t have to bring someone, but having an extra set of hands can make the whole session easier!

DON’T WORRY ABOUT POSING

You don’t need to know how to pose — that’s my job! I’ll guide you through the entire session and show you what to do. We’ll move, sit, walk, laugh and try different poses so your images don’t all look the same.

MOST IMPORTANTLY…

Come with an open mind! I may ask you to do something that feels a little weird — like putting your forearm on your head, grabbing your collar, walking away from me for no apparent reason, or laughing at absolutely nothing.
I promise there is a method to the madness! Some of the poses that feel the most awkward in the moment end up being your favorite photos.  Just laugh your way through and I promise it will all work out!  So trust me, try it and don’t overthink it. If I ask you to do something, there’s a good chance I’m already seeing the photo in my head.
Your only job is to relax, have fun and let your personality come through. I’ll take care of the rest!

A FEW MORE TIPS

Clean Your Shoes

Especially if you’re bringing your favorite sneakers! Give them a quick cleaning before your session.

Steam or Iron Your Clothes

Wrinkles are much easier to prevent than they are to fix later. Hang your outfits up when you arrive rather than leaving them crumpled in a bag.  For the longer sessions, I sometimes bring a wagon and you can throw things in there.  

Bring Outfits on Hangers

Whenever possible, bring clothing on hangers rather than folded in a bag. It keeps everything looking much better.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

You’ll look and feel so much better if you’re rested. Eat something beforehand, drink some water and give yourself plenty of time to get ready.

Most Importantly…

Don’t worry about being “photogenic.”
You don’t have to know what to do with your hands, how to smile or where to look. That’s what I’m there for!
Just show up as yourself. I’ll take care of the rest!