Congratulations, Senior!
After all the sleepless nights of studying, tests, and homework you are finally here. Your Senior Year. This final journey through your high school career will be filled with so many memorable and joyous occasions including your last first day of school, your last Friday night football game, your last homecoming, your last concert, and your last prom among so many other things. Senior portraits are a way to capture the first milestone of your journey as another highway opens in your road trip through life.
Senior portraits are more than just photos hanging on the wall or the picture you use for announcements. Your Senior portraits are a way to capture who you are at this very moment. Your session is a way to remember your fashion, interests, and personality. It's also a way to incorporate your love of football or chorus, your interest in music, or your beloved pet. As a photographer, I want to help you feel comfortable and capture who you are as an individual at one of the greatest times in your life.
Pick out 2-3 different outfits that reflect your style. Wear an outfit that you are comfortable in, but also bring outfits that are fashionable, chic, and dressy. Don't be afraid to grab a classic rock tee and some jeans, but BE YOU! Remember:
outfits that reflect your personality
extra "outside of the box" outfit
Interchangeable shoes for different outfits
wear layers-a sweater, jacket, or favorite flannel can change the feel of a portrait
sports uniform and equipment
attending college/military? Bring clothing from your future school or organization
ACCESSORIZE! Bring a variety of hats, sunglasses, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, etc. It is amazing how much a simple change of a necklace or adding a cute hat can change a photo. Rocking a dress with some boots and your favorite sunglasses will make for a different photo than one with the same dress, high-heel shoes, and a vintage necklace. Have fun with your looks!
BRING PROPS! There is no better way to make your portraits personal than with items that mean the most to you at this time in your life. Incorporating anything from a football to a family pet can make for the best sessions. Think about the things that you really cherish like a favorite book, an easel with paint/pencils, an instrument, a bike or skateboard, or maybe even a favorite food. If you are into athletics don't forget your basketball, glove, helmet, pom poms, uniform, or letterman jacket
GET FANCY! Have a prom dress that you just love and want to wear it one more time? A suit that has been in a closet since your cousin's wedding that makes you feel amazing? You don't get a lot of opportunities to wear your favorite formal wear so bring it along and make for some stunning photos.
FOOTWEAR! I can't express enough the importance of shoes. As I said above, shoes can make an outfit. Something as simple as going from a flat to a knee high boot can immediately change a portrait, but so can old busted sneakers or "Holey" Hey Dudes. Note for especially for the boys...wear clean, comfortable, but nice shoes. Your parents will love you for not having a casual suit on with slides.
HYGIENE! A few things to remember for your portrait session. Be sure to take care of your fingernails. Boys should be trimmed and girls trimmed and/or painted nails. Be sure to shave prior to session (especially boys facial hair). Sunlight likes to reflect off the hairs on your chin and can make for an unwanted shadow or glow. Lastly, hairstyles. Ladies feel free to play with different hairstyles. Going from a nice style with hair over shoulder to a ponytail can make a picture "pop". Fellas please make sure if you are going to get a haircut for your portraits, do it a week in advance. A fresh cut can sometimes make hairs lay the way you don't want them or cut might be a little too close. Give yourself a week to work your new cut and get it to lay the way you want.
IRONS ARE NOT JUST GOLF CLUBS! Last thing to remember is to iron your outfits prior to your session and put individual outfits on hangers. Do not throw your clothes in a gym bag a week prior and head to your session. We don't want your wrinkled clothes to be the star of your portrait.
LASTLY, HAVE FUN! Remember that your Senior Portraits are more than just a picture for your grandmother to hang on her wall. They are to capture YOU and your personality. My whole reason for taking Senior photos is to have you relax, have fun, and have an awesome experience. I am not your typical "stuffy" photographer. I want to have fun and capture images of you that you will love.
