Essential Tips for Your Upcoming Senior Photo Session

The moment you’ve been waiting for is finally almost here. You’re nearing your high school graduation ceremony, which means it’s time to start planning your senior photo session before you move on to your next adventure. You’ll have to make some big decisions for your upcoming photo session, such as choosing your hairstyle and a location for your shoot. But there is much more you can do to ensure your shoot is a success.

Here are some top tips that will ensure you end up with a set of photos you absolutely love and wonderfully capture this magical moment in your life.

Have a Discussion with your Photographer

Your senior photos should bring out your personality, so the more you can discuss your likes, dislikes, and expectations with your professional photographer, the happier you will be with the end result.

Most photographers send out a questionnaire to better understand their subjects before a senior shoot. The last thing you might feel like doing is filling out another form because it feels like an extra homework assignment, but taking a few minutes to complete it will give your photographer a better understanding of who you are. That will result in photos that better capture who you are, what you want to be, and what you want to show the world.

Have Fun

Yes, you want a few obligatory smiling shots, but for your photos to bring out your personality, you need to have a little fun too. Don’t be afraid to be playful, and if you want to have a laugh, consider bringing a friend along to your shoot. They’ll be able to coax a genuine smile or laugh out of you so that your expressions are more natural in your professional photos.

The beauty of having your senior pictures taken by a professional is that you can try out different expressions because they’ll make sure they have a great picture of you before they finally stop shooting. It’s okay to experiment by giving a serious look if you normally smile during pictures. The more expressions you show, the better. It’ll create a wonderfully diverse portfolio that will show every aspect of your complex personality and all the emotions you felt during your high school years.

Incorporate the Past, Present, and Future

To really make your senior photoshoot all your own, consider incorporating some of your heritage, passions, and future aspirations into the shoot. For example, you may want to capture a few photos while wearing your school hoodie, holding a musical instrument that you love to play, or adding in a few things that speak to the next leg of your journey.

If there has been a special location for you during your time in high school, consider shooting a few pictures there. For instance, if you were a member of your school’s track team all four years, strike a pose at the track for one of your pictures to help you remember those moments decades from now. If you were heavily into performing in plays in high school, see if you can arrange to have a photo taken on your high school stage. Give some thought about what was special to you during your high school years and discuss with your photographer how you might try to include some element of it in your pictures.

Bring Along More Than One Outfit

Don’t spend all your time deciding on one outfit. Instead, pick out several so you have choices on the day of your shoot. You never know what direction things might go in, so make sure you have a few different outfits and styles to choose from. In addition, choose outfits that perfectly match your personality. This is not the time to try something new – you want to feel comfortable.

Put your spare outfits on hangers and protect them in a garment bag or by putting a garbage bag over the top of them. Bring them along when you go to your photographer’s studio or meet at a certain location. This will give you and your photographer a variety of looks to work with.

Blast Your Favorite Tunes

Nothing puts people at ease faster than hearing their favorite songs. If you want to feel even more relaxed on the day of your senior photo session, ask your photographer whether you can bring some of your favorite music along. This will also give your photographer further insights into your personality and inspire them during your shoot.

Enjoy Yourself

If you have any questions before your photo shoot, remember to ask your photographer. They’re there to help, and they’ve likely heard every question imaginable so they can guide you through the process.

Following these simple tips can turn your senior photo session into something spectacular and will allow you to capture unforgettable images that will help you remember this special time in your life, even decades from now. If you would like to schedule a senior photo session, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Originally article posted on Suvi Tory