About Your Session

WHEN SHOULD I HAVE MY SENIOR PORTRAITS TAKEN?

It is up to you when to schedule your senior portrait session. We begin photographing seniors in the Spring and continue well into the school year. Keep in mind the benefits of scheduling early…beautiful outdoor summer scenery, early bird discounts, and avoiding conflicting schedules once school starts

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY SESSION?

Expect to have a great time! Most seniors admit to being a little nervous at first, but you will soon relax and enjoy your senior portrait experience. Our expert team of photographers are not only creative and talented, but also friendly and fun to work with. Every effort will be made to meet and exceed your expectations.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

The most common complaint we get from our senior clients is actually out of our control. Many seniors express dissatisfaction with their clothing choices. We cannot stress enough how important it is to carefully consider your wardrobe selections. The following tips will help you through the process.

We suggest that you choose a minimum of two different looks for your senior portraits.

1. Something classy…when you look at your portraits 20 years from now. Also great for college applications and making mom happy.

2. Something casual…what you like to wear everyday. Reflecting your own unique style.

Bring a variety of clothing for all seasons. We will help you choose what photographs best.

Extra outfits are a good idea. While you may not wear everything you bring, it is good to have options.

Bare arms and shoulders can make a person appear heavier. Long sleeves will keep more attention on your expression. We suggest covering your arms for at least one of your outfits.

Avoid wearing clothing that is to tight, to short, or to low-cut. Keep in mind that you will be posing in your outfits. Can you move around comfortably?

Solid colors work best for several reasons. It leaves more options open for backgrounds and props. And again, will keep the attention on your expression. Patterns and stripes can be distracting.

Pay attention to detail. Check for unwanted wrinkles in clothing. Hide unwanted straps and undergarments.

Accessorize…sunglasses, hats, scarves, jewelry (maybe your class ring), shoes…all can add interest and personality to a photograph. Feel free to add sweaters or jackets to add variety to a session without changing outfits.

Your feet will show in most full-length poses. 

Your hands will be in your portraits. Guys, neat and trim. Girls, do your nails. Clear or neutral colors look best. Bright colors can be distracting. If you plan to show your feet (most girls do) then do your toenails too.

SHOULD I BE DRESSED AND READY WHEN I ARRIVE?

You should plan to wear one of your outfits to the studio. Hair and make-up should be as you want them. Being prepared will help to get the most out of your session time. Typically we will begin with more formal poses, such as the Traditional session, and end with any outdoor sessions.

SHOULD I WEAR MAKE-UP?

Guys…

Even the toughest movie stars wear a little make-up when on camera!

Apply concealer to minimize blemishes. Translucent powder is a must to prevent glare and reflections, especially if your skin is naturally a bit oily. All finished portraits include basic retouching, but previews are not retouched. A little concealer and powder will dramatically improve the look of your previews. You’ll look great and no one will ever know!

Girls…

We highly recommend that you wear make-up even if you do not normally wear any. We suggest that you have your make-up professionally done to achieve a natural, but finished look. We cannot stress enough how important make-up is to the way your photographs will look. If you choose to do your own make-up please follow the tips below.

1. The color of your face should match the neck and shoulders. Make-up that is too dark or too light will appear that way in your photographs.

2. Use a translucent powder to set foundation and minimize glare.

3. Don’t over-do to cover blemishes. A little concealer and powder will be fine. Remember all finished portraits will be retouched.

4. Don’t be afraid to use color. A little blush on the cheekbones will brighten your appearance and give a healthy glow. A little lipstick goes a long way. If you are not comfortable with wearing lipstick, bring lip gloss to add a bit of shine.

5. Enhance eyelashes with an extra coat of mascara. Pay special attention to eye make-up as the eyes are the first thing you see when viewing a portrait.

6. Shimmery eye shadows are fine, but stay away from glitter that can cause glare.

7. Make-up should appear as though you are going out for the evening.

8. Bring powder and lipstick for touch-ups.

Don’t be afraid to wear something different if you want to make a statement, tell a story, or just be unique. Most importantly have fun and be yourself.

WHAT ABOUT MY HAIR?

Avoid getting a new hairstyle right before your session. Instead, select a style that you know looks good. Be sure to bring along hairspray to tame unruly locks. If you are having your hair professionally styled please do a practice style to be sure you love the look.

ANY OTHER GROOMING TIPS?

Guys, be sure to shave the night before for morning appointments or the morning of for appointments later in the day.

Well groomed eyebrows are a must for guys and girls alike.

Please remove all unwanted facial hair.

Limit exposure to the sun a few days before your session to avoid being overly tan and avoid sunburns, uneven spray tans, and tan lines.

SHOULD I WEAR MY GLASSES?

If you wear glasses most of the time, you’ll want to wear them in at least some of your portraits. To eliminate distracting glare and reflections, call your optician and arrange to either borrow a pair of empty frames like yours or have the lenses removed from your own frames. If you choose to wear your glasses the way they are keep in mind that removing any glare from your photographs is done at your expense.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Besides clothing changes and accessories you may want to include a few props of your own.

If your planning an activities session here are a few ideas to get you started…

  • sports equipment and uniforms
  • trophies and awards
  • musical instruments, sheet music
  • pets
  • car, truck, motorcycle, ATV
  • stuffed animals
  • chess board, poker chips, game table
  • hunting or fishing gear
  • career uniform and tools
  • dance costumes
  • art supplies and artwork
  • collections
  • hobbies
  • anything that defines who you are

CAN I BRING MY OWN MUSIC?

Absolutely! Music is always playing in our studio, but if you prefer your own music we will be happy to play it during your session.

HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE IN THE DRESSING ROOM?

When planning your look changes, please consider the time spent in the dressing room. The more time spent in the dressing room, the less time in front of the camera. We want to maximize your time with us. Being prepared will help to speed things up in the dressing room. Have all clothing options ironed and ready. Hair and make-up should be as you would like it when you arrive so that minor touch-ups are all that is needed. If you have any special needs that we should know about please share them with us at the time of scheduling.

CAN I BRING SOMEONE WITH ME?

Sure. Most seniors find it more comfortable to bring a parent, sibling, or friend along to help ease “camera room jitters”. However, if you feel more comfortable without anyone watching, that is OK too. Because of space limitations we ask that only one person accompany you into the camera room.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

If you have chosen to have poses made outdoors and it looks like rain, give us a call. It might be raining where you are but sunny here. Overcast skies photograph very well. If it is raining however, we will do all indoor portraits, but reschedule a convenient time for you to come back to finish your outdoor sessions.

WHAT IF I’M LATE FOR MY SESSION?

Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get here. Plan on arriving about ten minutes before your scheduled session time to check-in and get settled into the dressing room. If you anticipate being more than 20 minutes late please call to reschedule. Our time slots are carefully considered and we want to get the most from your session time.

CAN I ADD A SESSION WHEN I GET THERE?

Because appointments are scheduled with careful time considerations, it may not be possible to change or add a session on the day of your appointment. Please call ahead to make any changes to your session.

CAN I CHOOSE THE BACKGROUNDS AND PROPS?

We value your input and want your portraits to reflect your style. If you have ideas on what you would like please share them with your photographer. However, with thousands of background and prop combinations to choose from, we suggest trusting your photographer with most of those decisions. Our perspective and artistic interpretation are based on years of senior portrait experience.

For outfit ideas, hair and make up tips, and awesome accessory ideas, visit us on Pinterest! Click on the Pinterest icon in the lower left corner to access our Pinterest page!