Your senior year is filled with so many memories and milestones, which is why it deserves to be captured. However, if you are worried about whether your senior photo session will go according to plan, it helps to have a timeline in place.
Knowing when to take care of certain tasks will help you feel more relaxed in the months leading up to your session. Here is when to plan what.
Immediately
The one thing you want to do first is find a senior photographer and book your session. The best photographers are booked up quickly, so spend time doing your research and decide on a date as soon as you can. This is especially true if you have your heart set on a photo session during a certain time of the year.
1 – 3 Months Before
Several months before your session is when you should decide on an outfit. Your wardrobe choices will set the tone for your senior session and tell your unique story. Do you have certain hobbies that you want to incorporate into your session? Would you prefer a more glamorous look? Whatever you decide, plan and shop for your outfits ahead of time. It also helps to have a backup outfit just in case.
You can also use this time to make a list of any props you would like to use in your session. There is no rule that says you need to use props though.
1 – 2 Weeks Before
The weeks leading up to your senior photo session are when you want to take care of any grooming. If you need to cut your hair or have your nails done, now is the time to do it. This is not the time to try a dramatic new look though. If you do want to change your hairstyle or color, rather do that a month or two before your shoot to make sure you’re happy with it.
Day Before
The day before your shoot is when you should get everything ready. Put all your outfits, props, makeup, and accessories in one place. You can also use this time to cut your nails, shave, and do some general grooming. If you are planning to use self-tanning products, make sure you don’t overdo it and end up orange.
It’s also essential to get enough rest the night before your session and to stay hydrated, your skin and eyes will look that much better in your photos if you do.
By using these tips, you can get to your senior shoot feeling relaxed and excited, which is exactly how you should feel.
Deciding on a location for your senior photo session is one of the most important aspects of the planning process, or so they say. Does it really matter where you shoot your senior portraits?
The basic answer is yes, it does matter.
Where senior portraits were once generic and boring, today’s portraits are creative and highlight each senior’s personality and hobbies. And location has a lot to do with this.
When you invest in a professional senior photo session, you want to make the most of it. You also want to be able to share these photos and have them stand out from the rest, purely because they’re unique and relevant to who you are as a person.
Choosing a location for your shoot doesn’t have to be complex or take you days to figure out. It all starts with pinpointing how you like to spend your spare time. Are you generally found gaming at home or playing in the garden with your dog? Perhaps you love fishing or spending time at a local park throwing a football around with your friends. This alone can provide you with location ideas for your photo session.
There are no rules that say you need to choose a location that nobody else has. A location might be important, but it’s what you bring to the location that also matters. This includes props, your outfit, and your personality and actions.
What’s more, the beauty of working with a professional senior photographer means you can use them for inspiration. If you really can’t think of an idea, discuss your photos ideas with your photographer and get some suggestions from them. Remember, they shoot seniors all the time, so they have a ton of location ideas you can use, all the while still keeping your photos as unique as you are.
If you want to look and feel your best in your senior portraits, what you wear matters. And you have surely already read a few tips on what you could potentially wear for your shoot. However, there are a few extra tips regarding your outfit that you need to hear.
Stick with what you know and love. You can purchase a new outfit for your senior session but make sure you spend some time in it first. You might like the look of an outfit on the rails but find that you’re completely uncomfortable once you walk around or sit down in it. It’s best to stick to outfits you know and love or one you’ve worn at least once before.
Think twice about that slogan tee. Have a t-shirt with a graphic or slogan that you can’t get enough of? Be sure to think twice before you add it to your shoot. If you know it won’t be relevant in a few years, rather leave it in your closet.
Move around. Once you have an outfit in mind, try posing in it. That dress might look one way while you’re standing up but another once you crouch down to pet your dog. Always make sure an outfit looks good in different poses.
Pair the right outfit with a natural backdrop. Really want to take a few photos outside in a beautiful garden or forest? Be wary of wearing red if you want to avoid looking like a Christmas scene.
Consider your underwear. Seniors often spend so much time planning their outfits that they forget about what their underwear might look like underneath. Make sure your underwear won’t show through your outfit and if possible, avoid wearing thicker bra straps with thin top straps.
It’s ok to mix things up. Just because you have chosen a specific location doesn’t mean you should only wear one specific outfit. It’s ok to mix things up by wearing a more casual and then a more formal or dressy outfit. Just make sure that you’re not wearing a ballgown to the local park where it would look very out of place. You can even add in a traditional outfit if it’s important to you.
While planning your senior portrait outfit is important, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming, especially now that you have a few extra tips on hand.
