These are the tried-and-true tips I’ve gathered over the last 20 years of photographing seniors!
Outfit Advice
Choose your outfit(s) early on in the planning process.
You don’t want to spend the night before your photo session trying on outfits in a panic or waiting anxiously for an Amazon package to arrive with a crucial piece of your outfit, hoping Prime can deliver it in time.
When you feel good, you look good - so allow yourself plenty of time to (calmly) order and put together outfits that make you feel your best.
Unsure about your choices? Text me photos! I’m always happy to be a second opinion. Ask your friends, too - they know your style best.
If you don’t love an outfit in person, you won’t probably love it on camera.
Remember, cameras can work some magic, but they can’t magically make you love an outfit. If you don’t 100% love it when you try it on in person, chances are you won’t love the way it looks on camera. Listen to your gut when choosing outfits!
Don’t just wear your senior photo outfits - style them!
Boys are probably tuning out here, but this applies to you, too!
Wearing an outfit is putting on clothes. Styling an outfit is pairing those clothes with the right accessories to elevate the entire look!
These accessories can be big - think a jean/leather jacket, flannel, or blazer; the perfect pair of shoes; or a favorite hat. But they can also be small - belts, jewelry, socks (if they’ll show), and sunglasses.
Avoid clothing with logos or wording, if possible.
I always encourage clothing without visible logos or wording. They distract from your face, and YOU are meant to be the focus of the photos!
Jerseys/sports uniforms are an exception.
Don’t wear tight, intricate patterns.
Some clothes (especially men’s dress shirts) come in tight patterns that show up wavy and distorted on camera. (It’s called the Moiré effect if you want to Google it to see for yourself!).
Plus, busy patterns pull the focus away from you. Stick to solid colors or spread-out patterns that let you shine.
When in doubt, snap a photo of the outfit and send it my way! I’ll let you know if it’s at risk of showing up funny in photos.
Bring a mix of dressy and casual outfits.
Whether your photo package includes 2 outfits or 8, it’s good to have variety!
For casual, think jeans and a fun top. You can dress it up with sandals or dress it down with sneakers. (Think “fashionable” sneakers, like Converse, Adidas Superstars, Nike Courts, or Vans. It doesn’t have to be those name brands, but it’s best to avoid more athletic/running-style tennis shoes for photos).
For dressy, think dresses, rompers, jumpsuits, button-down shirts, dress pants, and even full suits (with or without a tie). These dressier, more “formal” outfit photos often come in handy later for things like LinkedIn profile pictures or college/job applications!
Think about your locations when choosing the colors of your outfit.
For example, if we’re shooting in a green, grassy field, you probably don’t want to wear a green dress that would cause you to blend in with the background. If you’re not sure, send me a photo of the outfit and let me know which location you want to wear it in.
Of course, if you have a favorite color or love the way a certain color looks on you, I’ll help you work it in however we can.
Advice for Other Prep
Avoid neon nails.
While I love fun nails, bright colors distract from your face in photos. French tips are a cute, classy option I see a lot because they look great with any outfit!
If color is more your style, that’s fine, too - just stray away from the neon, and think about how your nail color will coordinate with your outfits.
The same goes for your toes if you plan to rock any open-toed sandals or heels (or even go barefoot!).
Naked nails are OK, too - just give them a little TLC.
I’ve shot plenty of senior girls who opted for naked nails, and the photos still look great.
Just spend 5 minutes the day before your shoot giving them a trim, taking care of hangnails, or scrubbing out any dirt stuck under there. (This applies to you, too, guys!)
Get a haircut a few weeks BEFORE your shoot.
For seniors with long hair, this gives your haircut time to “settle.” For seniors with short hair, this gives you time to grow it out for that peak “lived-in” look - or to grow it back in case they cut it too short.
Don’t overthink your hairstyle.
You don’t need an elaborate hairstyle for your photos! I always recommend sticking with your everyday style or wearing it down. If you want to add a little something, you can curl it or run a straightener through it.
I’ve also had long-haired seniors bring ponytails, claw clips, and headbands to switch up their hair during the shoot!
If you’re wearing makeup, go with your everyday look!
Whether you’re doing your own makeup, getting it professionally done, or having a makeup-savvy friend do it for you, I recommend not straying too far from your typical makeup look.
It can be tempting to go full glam, but natural is always better! You want to look your best, but you still want to look like you.
If you do want to add a little “oomph” to glam up your look, try fake lashes! Even super light, natural-looking fake eyelashes can help your eyes pop on camera.
Bring your makeup + hair products to the shoot for touchups.
You never know when you’ll need to reapply lipstick or brush out wind-swept hair.
Guys, this applies to you, too! If you style your hair, bring a hair gel and comb with you.
Miscellaneous Advice
Don’t schedule your shoot right after a full day of school or work, if possible.
The last thing most seniors want to do after a long day of sitting in school or working their summer jobs is hop in front of a camera. It also usually leads to people rushing and arriving flustered. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready at your own pace!
Gather all the necessary outfit pieces and props the day before.
It’ll make your life so much easier on the day of the shoot and reduce your chances of forgetting something.
Come into your shoot with a positive mindset.
Believe it or not, your feelings show up on camera through your eyes and your body language, even when you’re smiling.
That’s why I like to keep the energy positive! Your session is a safe, supportive zone. Me and anyone else you bring along are there to hype you up and build your confidence.
Get a good night’s sleep before shoot day.
It’s a cliché for a reason. When you feel good, you look good!
If you’re thinking, “Eh, I’m young, I’ll be fine!” you’re probably right. BUT, even if you don’t look tired, your fatigue can bring down your energy on shoot day, which the camera can pick up on.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to me!
I’m here to be a resource and a guide throughout this process! Send me your questions and thoughts as they come up. I respond to text, phone, or email - but the fastest way to reach me will always be text.
Phone: 319-366-8689