To make sure you are best prepared for your senior session, and hopefully ease any nerves you may have, below is a list of tips I have found helpful to looking like a rock star on the day of your session.
I know this is a lot to read, but I promise it's all very helpful information!
-SLEEP-
Try to get a lot of REST the night before your shoot. Don’t stress over it; trust me - we’re going to have a great time together! If you are getting early AM shots, I suggest applying cold compresses to your eye area for a few minutes before applying your makeup to reduce puffiness. Make sure you EAT before your session so you’re not miserably hungry. If you are bringing family or friends to your session, feed them, too! And be sure they’re aware we’ll be photographing for a couple of hours.
-SKIN/ACNE-
It IS summer so try your best to AVOID SUNBURN! Not only is it bad for you, red or peeling skin is not a good accessory! Don't worry about having a few blemishes! These will be removed during retouching.
-HAIR-
Don’t try a new hairstyle the morning of your session. Play around in the weeks beforehand to see what works and what doesn't. You might even want to have a professional do this for you. Go for a “timeless” hairstyle. Use a little extra hair spray, but not so much that your hair is stiff.
Don’t do anything drastic that you might regret later! Especially a color change!
If you maintain coloring on your hair, try to schedule a color appointment that will give you the right amount of washing before your photos. (Everyone who colors has that “sweet spot” they like better than the first day!)
Remember, you still want to look like YOU in your photos. So if you’ve had long hair for quite some time, now might not be the time to get a short haircut if you’re not sure that you’ll love it.
Guys – be clean shaven on the day of your session.
-MAKEUP-
Wear what you usually wear, but slightly darker than normal. Please use care while applying eye makeup (eye liner, mascara), as your eyes will be the focal point of many of your photos. I would also highly encourage you to wear foundation. This gives your face an even tone and makes my job much easier in post-processing.
Lipstick Tip! If you want to wear a darker lip for one of your outfits, it's a good idea to save that look for last so your lips aren't stained for the rest of your photos.
-NAILS-
Your hands will be showing in many of your photos. Be sure that if your nails are painted, the polish is not chipped. Please choose a neutral color. Same applies to toenails if you are wearing open-toed shoes. We might do some bare-feet shots also, so make sure your feet look their best! GUYS – this goes for you, too!!!
-SCARS/BIRTH MARKS-
Scars/birth marks will be removed only at your request. Please tell me at the time of your session what your preference is..
-CLOTHING-
A standard senior portrait session includes 4-5 outfits – the one you wear when you show up, and three to four changes changes. I recommend accessories like jackets, scarves, etc. that can be added/removed for a different look.
You'll want to wear what you normally wear, but "kicked up a notch". Add some funky jewelry, a hat, leggings, a scarf, a belt, or some other accessory. Just be sure that the accessory is not so loud that it distracts from you. Mix up your clothing from dressy to casual – Fun stuff you’d wear to hang out with friends (jeans!), and something sophisticated that will work well for sending a photo in with your college applications. Vary the style – for girls, perhaps a long-sleeved shirt for studio shots, jeans and a cute top, and a nice sundress. For guys, maybe a plain tee and jeans, a button down shirt to put over this, unbuttoned, for an alternate look, and a nice button-down shirt or sweater for studio shots. Be sure to run your choices by mom and dad, or you might end up with photos you love that they won’t order for you. Can’t decide what to wear? Bring lots of wardrobe choices, and between the two of us, we'll make sure you look your absolute best!
Hats are great for a few shots, but please don’t wear one to your session and get “hat head.” Be sure to bring along shoes to match each outfit. (Note, you do not need shoes for beach photos.)
Try your clothing on in advance to be sure it fits comfortably and is flattering. Bend over, sit down, etc. and make sure that you don’t have skin showing where it shouldn’t be in certain positions and that you’re able to do such movements.
Make sure each piece of clothing is clean and wrinkle-free.
-CLOTHING COLORS-
Regarding clothing colors; dark colors are slimming and are perfect for studio shots. If you are having photos taken outdoors, wear a solid color or something with a splash of color to it for a nice contrast in your photos. Bring a variety of colors – not 3 blue outfits.
Avoid horizontal stripes, loud patterns, sleeveless shirts (for studio), and shirts with writing or big logos on the front. Solid colors work best; especially for studio portraits. We want the clothes to accent you; not the other way around.
If you intend to wear a “strappy” dress or light-colored clothing, be sure to wear or bring the appropriate undergarments that will not show in your photos.
Do not wear baggy clothing that may give the appearance that you are larger than you really are and avoid tight clothing that you are uncomfortable in, as you may not be able to do certain poses this way. A very short skirt can also really limit the variety of poses that you will be able to do.
Remember that during outdoor sessions in particular locations, there may not be a place for you to change your clothes, so plan accordingly (wear clothes that you can layer or that can be changed in the car).
What to BRING....
PROPS
I LOVE props and especially welcome the ones that are a part of who you are. They can add so much to a photo and give it more of a story. Ten or twenty years from now, you’ll enjoy looking back at these photos and remembering what you were like back then.
Below are some examples of what you could bring!
- Sports Equipment (football, football helmet, ball & glove, batting helmet, bat, mitt, soccer ball, volleyball, hockey stick, pom poms, baton, etc.),
- Sports Uniforms
- Trophies/medals,
- Musical instruments (Can’t bring drums? Bring the sticks!)
- Tap or ballet shoes
- iPod,
- Books,
- Motorcycle or snowmobile helmet, etc.
- If you are a volunteer firefighter, bring your uniform and helmet.
- Going into the Army or Marines? Bring along something to represent that major change in your life.
- Your class ring if you have one.
Vehicles are welcome at outdoor sessions (be sure they're clean, inside and out!). I can also take photos of you with your snowmobile, quad, dirt bike, etc. Pets can be included in outdoor shots as well.
Please try to let me know in advance or discuss your prop ideas with me at the consultation if you will be bringing props so that I can come up with some really creative ideas on how to showcase you with them!
-FRIENDS-
Friends are strongly encouraged to be present during the entire session. Friends always make you feel a little more comfortable and help ease those natural smiles out of you.
(If you do bring Mom and Dad – I do discourage barking orders or bickering during your child’s session... remember, this is supposed to be fun, and we want him/her to be happy and relaxed.)
-NIGHT BEFORE-
Your wardrobe changes, of course! Go through EVERYTHING one more time before leaving the house to make sure you’ve got it all. Make sure you bring shoes for every outfit!
Touch-up stuff – lip balm, lipstick, powder, hairspray, etc.
-POSING/EXPRESSIONS-
I know it sounds silly, but practice DOES make perfect. Practice different expressions and poses in the mirror before your session. Here are a couple of things to try:
1. Look in the mirror and form a smile with your mouth. Now try it again, this time thinking about whatever makes you happy, and try to let that smile reach your eyes. By this, I mean, do you see how when you naturally smile, the lines form around your eyes and they light up? THIS is what we’re aiming for – not a “deer in the headlights” look.
2. Try some different expressions, such as the dreaded “serious face” or smiling with no teeth showing. See what you like and what you don’t.
3. Look at the senior gallery on my website and my Youtube playlist that I've created with all my favorite posing tips and practice doing them!
4. Take note of some of the poses that I like to use, and try to mimic them in the mirror. Girls’ hands should be open with the fingers slightly bent; guys should use a loose fist. Arms and legs – if it bends, bend it! No locked limbs.
Don’t worry I will talk you through this during your session. But practice helps!
Hopefully you made it through all that and have come out more confident and ready for our time together.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!