PREPARING FOR YOUR SENIOR SESSION

Having your senior portraits done is an exciting and special event.  It is often the official start to your senior year of high school.  The portraits taken today will be treasured by family and friends forever.

We have prepared this helpful tip sheet geared specially toward senior portraits to help you prepare for your portrait session.

1. Music: Listening to your favorite music allows you to relax and be natural during the portrait session.  We recommend bringing your iPod or one or two of your favorite CDs, and we will bring a portable radio with an iPod connection or CD-Player.
    

2. Family and/ or Friends: The focus of the session will be you, but it is also a special occasion that may be shared with family or close friends.  If you'd like to incorporate photographs with family members or friends, please let us know in advance.  In most cases, we will do this without any additional fee.
    

3. Preparation: Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready for your session; you want to look and feel your best.  Aim to arrive on time, but don't rush to be early.  We intentionally schedule ample time to ensure that your session is done in a relaxing atmosphere without the need for you or us to feel rushed.
    

4. Hair: Wear your hair in a style that you are comfortable with, today is not a day to experiment.  If you plan to have a haircut before your session, plan to do so at least 1 week before as this will allow for a more natural look.
   
   Men should shave within an hour or two of your appointment.  Even if you don't have to shave often, look in the mirror: if you can see hair or whiskers, the camera can too.  Be careful when shaving to avoid nicks and cuts.
    

5. Clothing: The goal of portrait photography is to direct the viewer's focus on to the face or faces in the portrait.  Clothing that has bold stripes, plaids, checks, and prints become distractions for the viewer of the photograph.  Simple solid color garments photograph best.  Clothing should be neat and pressed the day of the photo session.
   
   We recommend at least one outfit change for senior portrait sessions.  You should consider having at least one formal or dressy outfit, and at least on casual or sporty outfit.  We do have a portable changing room tent in the event that the location of your photo shoot does not have facilities for changing.
    

6. Make-up: Keep your make-up natural.  Your normal daytime make-up is best.
    

7. Planning: Take a few moments to consider if there is any special photo that you'd like taken.  Now is your chance to speak up.  Look in last year's yearbook to get an idea of what you like, as well as what you'd like to avoid.  We will certainly make recommendations on poses and backgrounds, but we partner with you to ensure that we capture the moments you want to treasure forever.
    

8. Props: Senior portraits are a reflection of you, and this may include:
               * Uniforms: Band, Cheerleader, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Karate, etc.
               * Sporting Equipment: Balls, Bats, Gloves, Hats, Rackets, Clubs, Bicycle, etc.
               * Jacket: Lettermen, Leather, Denim
               * Musical Instruments
               * Artwork
               * Vehicle: Motorcycle, Car, Truck, etc.
    

9. Class Ring: Don't forget to wear your class ring to your portrait session.
    

10. Family and/ or Friends: The focus of the session will be you, but it is also a special occasion that may be shared with family or close friends.  If you'd like to incorporate photographs with family members or friends, please let us know in advance.  In most cases, we will do this without any additional fee.