How to Prepare for your Senior Pictures

This goes both ways. After you book your session, your photographer will probably send you a questionnaire to fill out, a senior client prep guide, specific meet up times and locations for your session, etc.  Be sure and read these things, like really read…no skimming! Most of the time your FAQs and all the info you need will be there.

On the flip side, freely communicate things to your photographer. Fill out the questionnaire with as much info as you can. Let them know:

• What do you want from your session?
• What overall feel do you want your photos to have?
• Do you have any creative ideas for a specific shot?

Your photographer wants your senior pictures to be the things of your dreams, so don't be shy about letting them know your expectations.

There's a good chance you've already done this before you book, but in case you haven't it's a really good idea. Why?

The great thing about social media is that you can get to "know" your photographer before you ever meet face to face. This will help you feel like you're not meeting a complete stranger at your session.  Awkward! 

Many photographers (like myself) really try to show our personalities and what it's like to work with us on our social media pages for this reason. 

You can also connect with your photographer by signing up for their email list if they have one. 

Thoughtfully choose the outfits you will wear in your pictures. The most important thing about your photo outfits is that you feel comfortable and confident in them. Choose colors that flatter you and have a variety of dressy to casual. Most photographers will provide you with a client guide to help you with this. There are also tons of outfit ideas on Pinterest!

Pro tip: Try on all your outfits at least a week before your session, including shoes and accessories. Test them to see if you're constantly having to adjust something or if it's easy to move in. Stand in the sunlight and pay attention to if you need any special undergarments. 

Bonus pro tip: Put all the outfits on again the day before your session. As you take each one off, place it all in a pile together or directly into your bag. This way you won't forget anything. Pack it then so you're not scrambling the day of your shoot. 

If it's at all within your budget, seriously consider  having your hair and make up done by a pro. Reasons? 

• Less stress for you the day of the session.
• You will feel so confident and amazing after a pamper session.
• The pros know how to do your hair and makeup in a way that will really look good on camera.

If it’s not possible to go the pro route, that's ok. Look up some tutorials to get ideas for the look you want and then practice it ahead of time. You don't want to be trying techniques for the first time on the day of your session. Talk about a recipe for stress! For makeup, don't be afraid to go a little bolder than your everyday look. Buy some false lashes at a drugstore and wear that bright lip color!  

If you don't usually wear makeup, I really recommend wearing a little for your photos. It can be as simple as powder to cut down shine, mascara to draw attention to your eyes and a lip gloss. Don't worry, you will still look like your beautiful, natural self!

By on time, I mean make your arrival time 5-10 minutes before your meet up time with the photographer. This is so important!

Session times are usually set by golden hour and the sun doesn’t wait around if you're running late.

And if  you are running late, not only will it cut into your shoot time, but you will be flustered and stressed out. And you do not want to start your session that way. 

Tips to be punctual: Pack everything ahead of time (see outfit tip above) and allow plenty of time for hair and makeup. This is important whether you're booking an appointment or doing it yourself. 

Most likely, you aren't a professional model. And that's ok, because you absolutely don't need to be! Your photographer doesn't expect you to do "posing homework". That's our job! Your job is to arrive relaxed and photo-ready. We will tell you how to stand, what to do with your hands, all of that stuff. 

Pro tip: Sometimes a pose feels weird or doesn't make sense to you, but just trust us. We will not pose you in a way that is unflattering or unnatural. You will probably be surprised when you see how great that "weird" pose looks in a photo!

I hope these tips were helpful so you can make good decisions when you plan and prepare for your senior pictures. Your senior photos are special! Give them the attention they deserve and you will come away with amazing images to remember your senior year.

You may also enjoy these blog posts:

Spring + Summer Photo Outfit Ideas

How to make your Senior photos look like your Pinterest board

How to look YOUR BEST in front of the camera