Tips for Planning Your Senior Portrait Session

Senior year of high school is packed full of new opportunities along with new responsibilities and commitments.  Having your senior portraits taken should be one of the most enjoyable parts of your senior year!  But maybe you've never done a portrait session for yourself before. Maybe your family had a photo session awhile ago and of course you've taken lots of pictures with your friends but the idea of having a professional photographer hyper-focused on you and you alone can feel a bit unnerving. How do you even begin to plan for an experience like that?!  Here are some tips I think are most helpful in getting the most out of your senior portrait session!

1. Hire a GREAT photographer! - Ask your friends who they used and what their experiences were like. Choose an experienced photographer who specializes in senior portraits and find one whose style of pictures you love!  These pictures are too important to take with your friend's point-and-shoot or your phone (leave that for Snapchat stories that disappear!). Having a professional photographer who is trained on the best poses, lighting, and editing and one who knows how to make you feel comfortable will guarantee that you have the best experience possible!

2. Scheduling your session - Do you want your pictures to be included in the yearbook? Find out the deadline for submitting your pics and schedule several months before that date. The weather in Georgia is unpredictable and you don't want to be stressed out trying to get them done last minute if you need to reschedule.  Do you have a favorite season of the year? If you don't have a deadline to meet, then consider which season you'd prefer. With more flexibility and cooler months the options are limitless!  Do you want your picture to be included in your graduation announcements? Be sure to book your session between February and April; don't wait until May. Your photographer needs time to edit and deliver your pictures and you need time to choose your announcements which should be sent to friends and family typically 2-4 weeks before graduation.

3. Choosing your outfits

• Colors: which color are you wearing when you get the most compliments about your appearance? Do you have a favorite color? Steer away from neon colors as these can cast a strange bright shadow/reflection on your skin. 
• Fit: choose clothes that fit closely without being tight.  Very loose dresses, shirts, and pants will swallow you up and don't photograph as well. 
• Layers: an outfit with layers like a sweater, vest, scarf, or hoodie makes a photo more visually interesting.
• Variety: pick a few different outfits to give a little variety to your portraits. Choose something you feel slightly more dressed-up in and also an outfit you're more likely to wear often.
• Personality: most importantly, choose outfits that you're comfortable wearing! You want your friends and family to recognize the person underneath the clothes. 
• Don't stress!: last but not least - remember that your pictures are about you as a person not necessarily about your style or where you shop! Your portrait session shouldn't be just a revolving door of different outfits on display. So less is more if you feel overwhelmed with choosing!

4. Hair, nails, and makeup - Girls may opt to get their hair and/or makeup done professionally before a session. Whether you choose to do your own hair or have someone else do it follow these tips: Do not get your hair cut the week of your session. Schedule your hair cut at least 1 week prior to your session. This is not the time to experiment with a new color or style: go with tried and true. Guys should have a fresh shave the day of your session. For girls, I highly recommend hiring a professional do your makeup for your session. I work with several fantastic makeup artists who can meet us here at my office an hour before your session. Don't worry about blemishes or bruises: basic skin retouching is included in the price of your session. (Braces removal, glasses glare, and/or other edits may require more extensive retouching and will be charged extra.) Be sure to trim your nails and either remove nail polish or paint them prior to your session with a color that goes well with the outfits you've chosen.

5. Using props - Use these tips if you are wanting to incorporate your sport, hobby, or a pet into your session:

• Steer away from overly used trends. You want your pictures to be timeless so that you can enjoy them for many years!
• Bring along equipment and/or uniforms if you are wanting to take pictures around your sport. Full gear looks best and makes the most sense in pictures!
• Be sure to have someone else along to handle your pet during the shots that don't incorporate them! 

6. Bring a supportive friend, sibling, or parent - You will feel even more comfortable if you have a friend with you who knows just the right thing to say to make you laugh! And how great would it be to have at least one professional picture with them! 

7. Meet with your photographer ahead of time - One surefire way to know if this is the photographer you want to work with is to meet with them in person before you schedule your session.  Meeting face-to-face will help you get a sense of who they are and you'll be able to ask any questions you may have.

8. Have Fun! - Remember that you have worked hard to get to this milestone and to celebrate this achievement! 

Have any questions? Call me to find out what to expect or to schedule a consultation! (678) 637-7518