This time of year gets me excited for what’s around the corner, senior sessions! Today I’d like to focus a bit more on my seniors and offer some advice. All of my sessions end up being a bit different, and it’s because each of my seniors are different.  There are no strict guidelines to follow which allows us to get to know each other better and create something custom and tailored. There are a few things you can do to help prepare for your senior session. The 5 tips below will help you feel confident and excited about your photo shoot.

The Checklist: Preparing for Your Senior Session

Choosing three to four outfits

I’m starting off with wardrobe because it’s probably one of the most important items on the checklist. If clothes aren’t fitting properly, clean and well pressed, they won’t photograph well. When choosing your outfits think about different styles you’d like to portray in your photographs. Maybe you want a fun boho look for part of your session, and the rest of your session to portray more of a timeless feel. Maybe you’re a ballet dancer. Incorporate some of your dance pieces into your session, and then focus the other half of your session on your unique style. I always suggest choosing 3 – 4 different outfits. You may not wear all 4 but it’s better to have everything with than to wish you had it.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing outfits.

• Have all your outfits picked out a few days before your session. Make sure outfits are clean and wrinkle free.
• You should be comfortable in the outfits you choose and they should fit well.
• Make sure you have appropriate undergarments paired with your outfits. Pesky bra straps peeking out from under tops tend to be more noticeable in photographs. Make sure you pay attention to these details.
• Stay away from really bright or fluorescent colors because they don’t photograph well. Colors reflect light and when you wear really bright colors the color will reflect back onto your skin creating a not so pleasant color cast.
• Layering and accessories can give you lots of different looks without the need to change entire outfits. Jackets pair nicely with longer tops and jeans. Fashion hats look awesome in photographs and they also make fun posing props.

Answer session questionnaire

I send all of my seniors a few questions to help me get to know them better. I highly suggest taking time to thoroughly answer the questions so I can get a better idea of your personality in order to help plan your session. Do you have questions for me? Don’t be afraid to reach out – I can easily be found on Instagram and Facebook.

Craft a music playlist

Music is powerful, and having a playlist of some of your favorite songs at your session can be a game changer. It’s super easy to create a playlist on a smartphone by using one of the common music streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, etc. All you have to do is bring your phone with your playlist and I’ll bring the Bluetooth speaker. I love music, so this is just as fun for me since I’m bound to discover a new artist or song through you.

Consider who to bring

Who should you bring to your senior session? This can be a tricky one. There’s no one answer that fits everyone. What I suggest is being in tune with your personality. If you lean more towards being introverted, having a group of people along for your senior photos is probably not the best idea. If you are energized by people, bring someone you have a great connection with. I suggest talking with your parents and discussing what everyone is most comfortable with. I do suggest having at least one person along to help so you have time to prepare outfits between locations.

 Schedule your session early

Summers are busy months, so reach out early to schedule your session. This will help make sure you meet the yearbook deadline, and because we can’t control Mother Nature, this will allow us some grace if we need to reschedule due to poor weather conditions.

These 5 tips may not sound like much, but I can assure you, they make a difference!

If you have questions or would like me to write about a specific topic comment below or shoot me a message.