So you’ve officially booked your senior photo session. You’re excited. You’re anxious. You’re a little overwhelmed and probably have a ton of questions racing through your head. What am i going to wear? When am i going shopping? What do i need to do to look absolutely fabulous for my photos? Memorable photos take careful planning. Here are several things that you can do to take your photos to that next level!
Wardrobe:
The clothing you select is very important. Pick something you’re comfortable in. If you’re not comfortable in an outfit – it’s going to show! Look to your closet for your “IT” pieces, the things that people would recognize you in. Layering is always a good idea. Think jackets, hats or scarves. Make sure your clothes are ironed and free of most wrinkles (our editors will thank you!). Be careful with sleeveless clothing unless you LOVE your arms. White is a challenging color – limit your whites to one outfit. Bring something unique that showcases who YOU are! When in doubt, bring extra outfits. Extras give us options if something isn’t working well with a background or location. Please (PLEASE) make sure that you bring proper undergarments also. If you need a strapless girls, make sure that you bring one. Tucking the straps will not usually work and won’t give you the most pleasing look.
Be cool. Be vibrant. Be a little crazy. Be fashionable. Be YOU !
Shoes:
Listen up ladies. I am a HUGE fan of shoes. Have a favorite pair of heels? Bring ’em. Whether you’re into Chucks and jeans or heels and a great dress, shoes are often the exclamation point on a FAB outfit. Flip-flops, while comfortable, don’t photograph well. You don’t have to have a great pair of shoes with every outfit. Many of the shots will be focused on your beautiful face! Not all photos will be full length.
Hair & Makeup:
Ladies…senior photos isn’t the time to try the hot new makeup trend. We suggest wearing your makeup as you normally would, just a smidge heavier than normal. Try to avoid makeup with any kind of SPF in it as this can cause you to be shinier than normal. Bring a translucent powder with you to control the shine & touch up between outfit changes. Likewise, drastic changes to your hair before your photos are generally not a good idea. Make a hair appointment or touch up your roots (if needed), but make sure you look like you! It’s a great idea to have a brush, bobby pins, and hair spray with you for quick touch ups or to keep hair out of your eyes in the wind!
Boys…get your haircut a week or two before your session. If it ends up being too short, it’ll give it some time to grow out before photos.
Complexion:
Listen y’all. Zits happen. It’s life. Instead of worrying (and potentially causing MORE breakouts), let them happen. Don’t try to conceal them under gobs of makeup. We have these great little editing tools that will remove them quicker than you can say ZIT. We retouch all of your photos so just relax and smile…we’ve got you covered.
Weather:
As much as we’d like to have a direct line to Mother Nature, we just don’t. Weather happens. We have zero control over it. If you’re scheduled to have an outdoor shoot, and it’s raining/snowing/hailing, we’ll simply reschedule. Cloudy days make for some of the best light and often ideal shooting conditions. If its warm, we’ll keep hydrated. If its warm, we’ll bundle up.
Fun in the Sun:
Speaking of weather… Golfing or boating before your session? Make sure to apply (and reapply) your sunscreen. A tired red face can be difficult to photograph and not much fun either. Same goes for those tan lines! Don’t over do it with the sun – or tanning bed – before your session. Your skin will have a nice natural glow if you let it rest a few days before your session. Orange or leathery is never a good look.
Accessories & Props:
Proper accessories and jewelry can really compliment an outfit. Keep it simple. You don’t want to focus of the photo to be a crazy pair of earrings. Hats, scarves, boots, jackets, belts, etc make stylish additions to your outfit choices and add some variety. Same goes for props. Sports equipment, uniforms, musical instruments, art supplies, and even pets help showcase who you are.
Parents & Friends:
Parents and/or friends are always welcome to attend the session with you and can often be a huge help. Often, they can assist with taming fly away hair, touching up makeup, or holding a reflector. You’re welcome to grab a shot or two with them too! If you think they’ll be more of a distraction, then it’s best to have them sit this one out.
After Your Session:
Before we bid you adieu, we schedule you a time to come in and view your photos. Editing usually takes about 2 weeks. We will go through the TONS of photos taken and narrow them down to the best ones. We’ll edit things like acne, fly aways, wrinkles, etc. We tend to not do much “fad” editing as we prefer classic images that bring out the best in the photo. (HINT: That’s YOU!) Seniors – and mom and dad too – appreciate the timelessness of the photos that they receive.
Arrival:
Last, and MOST importantly, be on time for your session. Try to arrive early. Showing up late can cause you to be frazzled and you’ll lose time in front of the camera. If you’re coming from out of town, give yourself plenty of time to find us!
You may be on information overload! Remember to RELAX! We’d like to think we are pretty laid back and easy to get along with. We’re going to make you look fantastic and you’ll have a great time. That’s why you chose us and why we’ve been around for 30 years!!