How to Plan for Your Senior Portrait Session

How to Plan for Your Senior Portrait Session

Your senior portrait session is often the first time, that you are going to be professionally photographed on your own. This can be intimidating, but there are a number of things you can do to make yourself feel prepared and ready for your session. I will bet that you may even end up having a little bit of fun at your session, if you plan ahead and come ready to capture this excited time in your life! 

1-3 months before 

1. Book your session time! Senior portraits typically book out about two months in advance. Most schools want to have your submitted, edited photos by mid-September to early-October. Plan ahead! If you are looking for a June, July, or August session - now is the time to be reaching out to book your date! 
2. Begin to look at other senior portraits and figure out what you like about different shots (location, outfits, poses, etc) and start to keep a pinterest board or save pictures and ideas you have in google doc. To help your photographer capture the photos you are envisioning, help them out by providing examples of other photos you really like. 

1-3 weeks before 

1. Confirm the location for your session: Do you like an urban/industrial feel or more natural/outdoorsy look? Consider the different backdrops that different locations can offer. 
2. Pick out what you would like to wear: I do not cap the number of outfits that you have for your session, but I encourage rying two different looks. One that is an outfit that YOU feel really good and comfortable in and one that is a little more dressed up or fancy.

The Week Before 

1. Make sure the outfit(s) you are planning to wear are clean and wrinkle free 
2. Gather & clean props. I have seen lots of really awesome props for senior portraits from musical instruments, cars, record collections, pets, books, sports equipment, etc. Make sure the props you are planning to have in your photos are looking nice and clean! should be shiny! 
3. Drink lots of water all week long. It’ll help your skin look it’s best.​

The day of your Senior Session

1. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready. Consider the details, nails cleaned, eyebrows, teeth brushed and flossed - give yourself time to feel confident and excited about the way you look. 
2. Don’t come to your session hungry! To be your best self, make sure you eat a good meal before coming to your session. Senior portrait sessions typically take about an hour, bring a bottle of water and a snack to make sure you are fuel for the entire session.
3. Make sure you have one pair of comfortable shoes! We are more than likely going to be doing some walking to get to different photo spots, wear or bring shoes that you are about to walk around in easily. 
4. Ladies – bring makeup for touch ups, specifically powder and lipstick.

The #1 tip for any senior preparing for your senior portrait session is to come open-minded, have a positive attitude, and truly be yourself if you want to shine in your photos! 

If you have any questions on preparing for your upcoming session, please reach out! I would love to help you in any way I can! 

Xoxo Morgan