How to prepare for your senior session

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! 

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! 

Skin – AVOID SUNBURN! Not only is it bad for you, but it is bad for your senior photos, because we will probably have to reschedule. Red or peeling skin is not a good accessory!  

Acne - Don't worry about having a few blemishes! These will be removed during retouching. Please see below regarding severe acne.  

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. Get a haircut at least a month in advance for girls or a week in advance for guys, so that the hair has time to grow a little and look more natural. 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. 2  

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! 

Glasses - If you wear glasses, please see your optometrist about loaning you a pair without lenses, or have your lenses removed for your session. If this is not an option, I will do my best to avoid glass glare, but there may be an extra charge of $10 per image for glare removal when ordering your portraits. Glare will not be removed from proofs.  

Braces – Braces will not be removed from proofs, but can be removed from your portrait order at a charge of $10 per image. 

Scars/Birth marks/severe acne - Scars/birth marks will be removed only at your request. Please tell me at the time of your session what your preference is. Severe acne may require extensive retouching. If extensive retouching is necessary, it will not be done on proofs, but will be done on the prints that you order, at your request. Basic retouching is included in your package, but extensive retouching will be completed after you show me your favorites. 

CLOTHING….  A standard senior portrait session includes 3 outfits – the one you wear when you show up, and two 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. Bra strap removal will be done at an additional cost. 

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 - Feel free to bring sports equipment (football, football helmet, ball & glove, batting helmet, bat, mitt, soccer ball, volleyball, hockey stick, pom pons, baton, etc.), sports uniforms, trophies/medals, musical instruments (Can’t bring drums? Bring the sticks!), tap or ballet shoes, sunglasses. If you are a volunteer firefighter, bring your uniform and helmet. Pets can be included in outdoor shots as well.

People - Parents are strongly encouraged to be present during the entire session. (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.) 

Touch-up stuff – lip balm, lipstick, powder, hairspray, etc.

Posing/Expressions….  I know it sounds silly, but practice DOES make perfect. Look at the senior gallery on my IG account. 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.