How to Make the Most of Your Senior Portrait Session

Senior sessions are SO fun!

Running around, laughing, showcasing your beauty and personality —- it’s a good time! But sometimes the front-end of your session… ie. planning your outfits, choosing your hairstyle, practicing your looks in the mirror… that part can feel a little overwhelming.

To help you feel more at ease as your prepare for your session, I’ve pulled together some ideas, tips, and tricks that will hopefully get you feeling excited and ready for your session!

The Outfits

Plan out 3 main outfits

I recommend including 3 outfits so that you have a good variety of looks in your photos, but you won’t be spending half your time changing your clothes. Some things to consider when you’re picking your outfits would be to include 1 classic/timeless look, one more fun and quirky outfit, and have a mixture of both casual looks and more dressed up looks.

Pro tip: You can also bring layers to quickly make a small change to an outfit, like adding a jacket, scarf, or hat to add some variety to an outfit without having to completely change!

Think about which outfits you want photographed at which locations

Whichever outfit you definitely want to photographed in at the first location, go ahead and wear that to start the session. And if you’re not sure which outfits will look good with which backgrounds, go ahead a send me a text or email! I love helping pick out outfits :)

Pro tip: Have an outfit you want to wear at both locations? That can be your second outfit, and you can wear it at the end of the first location and the beginning of the second location.

Do you want to switch up your hairstyle halfway through?

This is totally not necessary, and if you have a classic hairstyle you want to rock through the whole session, go for it!! But if you want to switch it up, I’d recommend starting the session with your hair down, and then towards the end of the session you can throw it up in a bun, or throw on a hat or headband. That way you don’t mess up all your hard work on your hair right at the beginning.

Pro tip: Hats photograph really well, so if hats fit your style, I’d definitely recommend bringing it along for your photos!

How about your makeup? Wanna switch that up too?

Also totally not necessary, but if you decide you want to switch up your makeup this can be such a fun way to add some variety to your photos! I’d recommend that you start with a more simple and natural look at the beginning, and then add more dark/dramatic makeup towards the end. It can be difficult trying to go from a smoky eye to a natural look quickly :)

The Mental Game

It can be a bit nerve-wracking getting ready for a photo session, especially if it’s the first time you’ve spent that much time in front of a camera! Most people are feeling kind of nervous when they show up, but don’t worry, by the end of the night you’ll be feeling much more comfortable, having fun, and you’ll know what to do with your hands, it just takes some time to warm up! Here are a couple things you can do before your session to help you feel a little less nervous:

Bring a friend, sibling, or your mom along!

I love when seniors bring someone along with them. Having someone you’re already comfortable with at your session will help you relax and have fun a lot more quickly, they’re always ready to make you laugh, and they can help you keep your outfits, accessories, and anything else organized for you. It’s a win for everyone!

Pro tip: Have your friend/sibling/mom come camera ready too and they can hop in a couple photos with you! Those are fun pictures to have for the mems :)

Text me!

Feeling unsure of what to bring to wear? Text me some photos of what you’re leaning towards and I can help guide you on what would photograph best. Feeling nervous about posing? Text me about it and I can hype you up and let you know that with my guidance you’re gonna look great! I’m always happy to do whatever I can to make sure your session is a fun time for you!

Once the day of your senior session arrives, all the planning will be so worth it, and we’ll create beautiful images that will celebrate all that you’ve accomplished over the last 4 years and the amazing human you’ve become in the process!

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