Senior Girls Information and Tips for a "Great Photo Session"

 

I happy to offer these suggestions to you to help you plan and prepare for your senior session. I want you to look your best for your portraits and if you follow these tips and suggestions you will!

Arrival:

Please arrive to your session on time and wearing one of the outfits that you have chosen; preferably not your favorite outfit. (We want to save your favorite outfit for later on in the session; because sometimes it takes a little while for you to relax in front of the camera.) Please make sure hair and makeup are done.

Outfits:

The number of outfits you will be photographed in is 2 to 3 maximum. The only exception would be if you have chosen to take cap and gown portraits with me; this option would add one more outfit change to the mix. These outfits may be sent to me in a picture text or email if you would like my input or suggestions when it comes to choosing your studio backdrops.  If you have already spoken to me and sent pictures of your outfits; you may have an idea of which outfit is your least favorite to start off the session.  Some seniors prefer two casual dress shots, one sport or hobby related shot along with a cap and gown formal portrait. Others prefer a formal (prom dress) pose, casual dress, and hobby related pose with no cap and gown graduation portraits taken.  Everyone's preference is different and unique. I do however encourage you to bring more than the specified number of outfit's choices to your session; just in case we see something that would look best with the backdrop and/or outdoor settings as we move along into the session.

Clothing tips:

SOLID colors photograph best!  Avoid stripes, big prints and plaids! I want to keep the focus on you not the outfit. Bring a variety of colors and styles that suit your personality. Dark colors, especially black are the most slimming. I always request that no matter what you choose please bring something black. If your goal is to look slimmer; keep in mind that spaghetti straps and sleeve tops make you look heavier and so I would discourage it if possible. I would also like to discourage strap less tops; because a strapless top in a close up shot can give the illusion that you are not wearing anything and this is not a good look for any senior portrait.  If you check my Face book business page you will see an album labeled studio backdrops and this will give you an idea of the colors that will look best for your studio session.

Plan your cloths together complete with shoes, jewelry, accessories etc. and group them together on hangers. Some seniors arrive at their session with cloths stuffed in a bag and wonder why there cloths are wrinkled; I can't fix big wrinkles in editing so it's best to make sure everything is pressed neat and hung on a hanger when you arrive.

Also very important please plan and pay attention to your undergarments.  Example: don't wear flowered undergarments with white pants, black bra under a white shirt, or have a strapless dress without a strapless bra; etc. If you are wearing a short skirt or super short dress; please wear some sofee shorts underneath so there are not posing limitations.

Your top, shirts or blouses are more important than your bottoms.  You don't have to bring many different pants, skirts or shorts for each outfit; keep in mind that you may be changing in the car when on location and the quicker you change cloths the more time you have in front of the camera. It is always a great addition to bring a jacket or two or something you can layer on top of your outfits. This would not count as one of your outfits but will allow you more variety in the images. Hat, scarves and sunglasses are great too and add a variety of other colors and styles to the same outfit.  

Make up:

Makeup should be slightly heavier than normal. I want you to look like "YOU" so don't overdo it. Other makes up tips to remember; clumpy mascara application cannot be fixed in editing software so correct application of mascara is important. Another tip that you may not know: if you apply make up with glitter, shimmer or sparkle this can reflect light and make small white specks on your face that may resemble zits; and we really don't want that to happen!  Also, please bring makeup with you to fresh up as needed and lip gloss always looks best when photographing; especially if you don't wear lip color. (Nail polish) We will be photographing hands and sometimes feet and this cannot be edited so please make sure your nails are freshly painted and looking nice for picture day. 

 

Friends and Parents:

Friends and parents are welcomed and encouraged to come along. They can be a "big" help and help you feel more at ease when being photographed. However, sometimes the opposite may be true. If they distract you or negatively affect your confidence in front of the camera; it's best for them to wait for you during the session and not engage during shooting time.

Pets:

Pets are welcome in studio as long as they are house broken. You may want to bring their pet taxi or someone to watch over or leave with them after shooting images with them. Please bring their treats as they are helpful in keeping the pet's attention. 

Weather for outdoor sessions:

We are at God's mercy for outdoor sessions; so if it rains we will have to reschedule your session. Don't worry about overcast skies as they are sometimes the best lighting situations to shoot in. If your session is in the morning; I will call you to reschedule; otherwise we shoot. If your scheduled during the day and the weather is questionable we will call to reschedule or you can always call to check in.

General information:

I want your photo shoot to be an experience you will always remember!

So follow these helpful tips, plan your session, get a good night's rest, and get ready to have some FUN! J

Please call if you have any other questions.