10 Tips for a Successful Girls Senior Portrait Session
Senior portraits are all about reflecting your personal style. When you look at your images, you should feel that your photographer listened to your needs and interests and created portraits that celebrate you at this wonderful stage of your life. We've compiled some tips to help create beautiful, unique portraits that you'll be proud of for years to come.
MAKEUP
Keep it simple and classy. Lip gloss photographs well and can be reapplied easily. Your other makeup should be as matte as possible. Anything with glitter can appear as little white spots in prints, and shiny skin can create unwanted reflections. It’s a good idea to bring some matte face powder to apply throughout your session. Don’t stress about blemishes—they’re an easy fix in Photoshop. If you’re not a makeup kind of girl, consider hiring a makeup artist to help. They’ll listen to your needs and save you from purchasing a bunch of makeup you’ll never wear again. Your photographer can provide recommendations for great makeup artists. We love subtle makeup with eyes that pop. And, of course, if you prefer a clean, natural look, go without—we love freckles!
NAILS
Have your fingers and toes freshly painted—or go natural. Chipped nail polish can be distracting in photographs. If you use press-on nails, we recommend bringing a few spares and some nail glue.
CLOTHING
Make your clothing selections well in advance of your session. If you’re frantically trying to figure everything out the night before, you’ll probably regret your choices and won’t be completely satisfied with your portraits. Make sure your clothes are wrinkle-free and do your best to conceal bra straps. You may need to make wardrobe changes on the fly. We’re always surprised by how adept teenagers are at this, but we suggest wearing volleyball-style shorts and a simple spaghetti-strap camisole under your clothes, if possible. We definitely recommend volleyball-style shorts if you’re wearing a dress, as you may need to climb trees, sit on rocks, or move around freely during your session. Try to keep your clothing classy and timeless—it may save you some embarrassment 20 years from now!
PROPS AND ACCESSORIES
Reflect your personality through your props—music, sports, art, pets, and hobbies all make great additions. Accessories can add character and pop to your portraits. Consider bringing earrings, necklaces, bracelets, belts, hats, scarves, or your favorite
shoes. If you’re known for your collection of Converse sneakers, bring them!
POSING
You absolutely don’t need to know how to pose for your session. Your photographer will guide you through the process. You bring the confidence, and we’ll do the rest.
HAIR
Practice your hairstyle in advance. We highly recommend sticking with your natural, everyday look. If your usual style is a ponytail, you might consider upgrading it a little for your session.
SCHEDULE A PRE-SESSION CONSULTATION
Meeting with your photographer before your session gives you a chance to make sure, you’re on the same page creatively. Your photographer can show you examples of different locations and offer clothing and makeup suggestions. You’ll also be able to determine the best time of day for the lighting you want and map out the locations you’d like to visit. This planning will help you coordinate your clothing selections and create a smooth, stress-free experience.
SCHEDULE WITH A FRIEND
Many photographers offer a discounted session fee if you book with a friend. Plus, it makes the whole experience much more fun!
BROWSE SENIOR PORTRAIT GALLERIES
Look through senior portrait galleries to get a feel for the styles and images that appeal to you. Our Senior Portrait Gallery can provide plenty of inspiration.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Avoid the following:
- Empire-waist dresses and blouses, which are often unflattering on camera
- Makeup with sparkles or glitter
- Hair ties or bands around your wrist
- Chipped nail polish
- Visible bra straps
- Wrinkled clothing
- Clothing that is overly revealing or too provocative
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL…
Call today to schedule your appointment!
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