Senior Portraits: Your Time to Shine…
We want you to shine! Pinterest Boards, Instagram, and even the well-meaning Mom might make you a little crazy when selecting the perfect Senior Portrait outfits. Don’t stress… Check out the suggestions below. Be yourself. And you will ROCK your portrait session…
Being well prepared for you senior photo session can make the difference between average and fabulous portraits. Follow these easy tips and you’ll be well on your way to looking your absolute best. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call, text or email.
Clothing Tips
Keep it simple and make sure you feel good in the clothes you select. Have your clothes and accessories ready the night before your session. Choose clothes that reflect your style and are appropriate for the event. Make sure they are clean and free of wrinkles. Plan on changing fairly quickly. The faster you change, the more time we have to photograph and the more portrait choices you’ll have later. Bring more or less clothing options depending on which session type you selected. It’s okay to bring extra that you may not wear. If you’re self-conscious about your arms, avoid sleeveless shirts and tank tops, as they tend to make arms look fuller. Also, for girls, sleeveless is usually more flattering than spaghetti straps. Please be aware of your bra straps as well. Avoid stripes and plaid. Solid colors photograph much better than busy patterns. Bring a variety of colors and mix the level of styles. Some should be dressy, some dressy casual, and some casual. If you’re comfortable in a dress and boots, bring them! A jean jacket, scarf or cardigan can quickly change up an outfit and can be added even in the Mini Sessions. Overall, if you feel good in an outfit, chances are, you look good too. Dress like yourself. Be authentic.
Many of our Senior Portrait Sessions occur on location. Opportunities to change outfits may be somewhat limited. In these circumstances, please plan ahead for ways to easily change your look without having to get completely undressed. Camis are great for quick changes.
Shoes
Heels and boots are always flattering and glamorous. Flats or bare feet can also work if you mix them with the right outfit. Not every portrait will show your feet, but some will.
Hair
Bring hair spray, clips, pins, and whatever else is needed to keep your hair out of your eyes if it’s windy. Bring a brush and mirror for quick hair touch-ups. A little curl cream or pomade can go a long way to help prevent frizz and fly-aways. (Young men, don’t get a haircut right before the session as it may cause tan lines.) Do not make drastic changes to your hairstyle right before your photo session. This could add unneeded drama to your life.
Makeup
Makeup that is well done is one of the best preparations you can make for your session. It will even out 
skin tones and help give your portraits that extra pop for a model-like look. Even if you don’t normally wear makeup or wear very little, take the time to do it well and your portraits will look their best. Mascara should be clean and not clumpy. Please don’t be concerned about minor (or major) breakouts. We can touch all that up. Seriously, don’t sweat it even for a minute! That’s why you have us. Make sure that your face make-up is blended into your neck so that when you look in the mirror your neck is not too white. Also check to see if you have tan lines that will show with the different outfits you are going to wear. Bring chapstick or lip gloss to keep your lips moist.
Jewelry
Keep it simple. The proper jewelry can really complement your outfit. Select items that don’t distract from your face. It’s nice to have a variety to choose from and it doesn’t hurt to bring numerous options with you.
Props
Feel free to bring props that help show who you are. Or not. Whatever you are comfortable with. If you select a session with multiple clothing options, some popular choices are:- Sports equipment (soccer ball, basketball, softball bat, etc.)
- Sports uniforms
- Musical instruments
- Other items (favorite book, dance outfit, art supplies, etc.)
- Your pet. Yes…you can bring your dog!
Glasses
If you wear glasses everyday like me, wear you glasses. They make you, you. Most lenses have a glare. The safest option is to check with your eye doctor and ask if they’ll loan you a similar pair without lenses or pop your lenses out if you feel comfortable doing that. Transition lenses need to be removed. (I stock a few pairs, but the frames may not be to your liking.)
Bringing Friends & Parents
Friends or parents are welcome and often can be a helpful. However, if they distract you, it may be best to meet them when the session is over. I personally LOVE to take a portrait with a parent if they are with you. It just makes me happy. So…don’t forget to tell mom and dad that they may be in the portraits too and that they may want to check her hair etc. If you’d like to add on a Family or Sibling Session to your Senior Portrait Sessions, we have options for that too.
Weather
Sun and/or clouds are great (clouds even out the light and can make for ideal shooting conditions). If it’s actually raining or hurricane winds are blowing, we’ll have to reschedule.
Undergarments
Please make sure the colors of your undergarment coordinate well with your outfits and don’t show through your clothing. Try on your clothing with the undergarments and make sure all is good.
General Notes…
- Please arrive on time to your appointment. Showing up late means you lose camera time. I often have sessions booked back-to-back and I don’t want you to miss a minute.
- Sleep! Make sure you get at least 2 nights of good sleep before your portrait session so that you will look fresh.
- Water. Hydrate well the day of and the day before your session.
Relax and Have Fun!
I strive to make the portrait sessions fun. If you are enjoying the session, it will show through and the result will be better images.
Don’t be afraid to show your true personality in your Senior Portraits. Bring the guitar. Hug your dog. Show us who you are! The more personal, the better. We will have wardrobe changes and can show your different sides as well.
Contact us today if you’d like to book your Senior Portrait Session to capture this special moment in time for you and your family.
