How to Prep for Senior Portraits

Let’s talk about preparing for your senior portrait session! I know lots of seniors (and parents) get nervous and have a lot of questions about this. Here are some tips that will help you get ready and hopefully calm your nerves!

What should I do beforehand to prepare?

Get your hair did!

Men – get a hair cut at least week before. You don’t want that just cut look in your pictures. Ladies – decide how you want to do your hair for your pictures and practice it once or twice.

Don’t pick your zits!

Irritating them will just make it worse. I promise you I can edit them out!

Drink lots of water!

Especially if we are shooting in the summer. It also helps your skin to look it’s best.

Sleep!

Stop scrolling TikTok and make sure you get as much sleep as possible the night before your pictures.

No spray tans please!

They tend to look very orange in photographs, and no one wants to look like an Oompa Loompa!!

What should I wear?

3 outfits (if your session allows)!

First: one that will make mom and dad happy.

We all know that you don’t agree on clothes most of the time and since they are the ones paying let’s keep them happy! Parents want something they can hold on to when you fly the nest so ask mom or dad if they have a favorite outfit they’d like you to wear.

Second: should be your favorite!

Keep in mind that during your session you will be moving around…a lot. So don’t wear anything too tight, short, low cut or uncomfortable. It can be casual or dressy, whatever you prefer. Ladies. I LOVE a dress/skirt moment for the movement they can add to pictures. So if you are a dress/skirt girly I highly recommend this.

Third: can be the opposite of your second.

So if you did casual this one should be dressy and vice versa. OR – if you want to incorporate a sport/hobby outfit now is the time for that! If you’ve booked a shorter session with less outfit options chat with mom/dad about what is the most important to you.

When planning your outfits keep in mind the location(s) of your session.

For example, if it’s spring and there’s a lot of green, maybe don’t choose to wear green. Avoid neons and tiny stripes/patterns because they do not photograph well.

What should I bring?

Your outfits, duh!

Please, PLEASE make sure they are clean and wrinkle free. Include accessories like hats, jewelry, extra shoes etc.

Props!

Besties, parents, sports equipment, instruments, pets, trophies, etc. If you are bringing a pet, PLEASE be sure you have an extra person along to help.

Touch up items!

Men: brush or comb, chapstick for dry lips, a towel for sweat Ladies: hair spray, brush, blot strips, makeup. Basically anything you used to get ready in case it needs to be redone. Lint rollers are always a good idea but are a necessity if you are including a pet in your pictures.

You’re favorite playlist!

Taylor Swift, Metallica, Kendrick Lamar? I love it all. I’ll bring the speaker, you bring the tunes that will help you relax and set the vibe!

What should I expect?

You are going to think I’m nuts, so brace yourself! Some of the ways I ask you to pose or things I will ask you to do will sound ridiculous, but I promise it will make for amazing pictures! You will be standing, sitting, squatting, laying down, laughing, giving your best RBF, you name it. One thing I can assure you is don’t believe me when I say “just one more picture”, there are always more!! Most of all expect fun. These are your pictures and I want you to look back on them and think about what a good time you had shooting them!

As always I am here to help so if you have any questions at all please let me know!!