Are you overwhelmed with how to prepare for your High School Senior Photography Session? Here are a few tips to ease that stress!
- Plan with your photographer: What kind of session do you want it to be? Casual, Dressy, Showcase a sport or talent? If you aren’t sure, your photog can help you narrow it down! Usually, there is only so much time in a session, unless you book a custom session to encompass multiple locations/times of day! I encourage everyone to have at least one dressy outfit. One outfit should be what you would wear maybe out with friends. You know, a little more than everyday wear. A fun styled wild card outfit is fun! Think a velvet tux jacket for guys (or girls!) or a beautiful prom dress or tulle skirt! When you look back on these photos, you want to see what was the style the year you graduated!
- Do you want a specific location? The beach, downtown, garden, sports venue? Where do you like to go with friends? Your favorite spot to hang out? Want a dreamy location? A urban location either in your town or maybe a bigger city nearby? Do you spend long hours on the soccer/football/lacrosse field or in a gym/pool/sports venue and want a portion of your session to showcase that place?
- Get your hair cut 1-2 weeks prior: If you want a haircut. This gives your hair a little time to grow out and look natural. If you color your hair the same applies 😉
- Manicure: For guys and girls both! You don’t have to get a professional one, just make sure you have clean non jagged nails that are free of chipped polish or are freshly painted.
- Teeth: If you love coffee or tea like many of us do, you may want to consider a round of teeth whitening strips. These help remove superficial yellow staining that can easily build up.
- Freshly pressed clothes that are on hangers: Very important. If you are going to wear it for a photograph, please use wrinkle release or press it if it is a perusable fabric.
- Have clean fresh clean face: This helps the photographer is post production if you don’t have a shiny face. Acne can be photoshopped out, but an oily face is tough to correct. Guys, a fresh shave is a good idea or a facial hair trim up! Make sure your eyebrows are shaped up as well ;). Any unwanted facial hair (guys or girls) that has to be removed by waxing or chemical means, have that done several days prior to the photoshoot just to be safe! If you take medication for acne either topical or internal, waxing or chemicals can really cause irritation or damage your skin!)
- Consider professional hair and makeup: Not a must for sure, but usually the photographer has her own makeup artist or can recommend one. If you choose to do your own makeup, go easy on the contouring and heavy eyeshadow. The makeup shouldn’t stand out so much that is overshadows you! In my studio, I have a professional hair and makeup artist that talks with you about exactly what you want. You arrive with clean hair and she styles it according to your wishes and sometimes accompanies us on the photoshoot to change it up mid shoot!