Your senior session is approaching and I am here to help you prepare! When you're being photographed, you will want to look and feel your best so that you have a great experience, and can look back at these photos with confidence for years to come. It can be easy to forget some of the small details, but paying attention to the small stuff can really elevate your pictures!
Everything in this post is subjective and up to you. These are just things I've noticed over the years of photographing seniors, but the most important thing is that you look like YOU for your senior photos. You are welcome to pick and choose what applies to you and your unique personality!
Pick Your Outfits
Choosing what to wear for your senior photos might just be the most important part of preparation. Your outfits are ultimately what people will notice first when they see your photographs and can completely set the vibe for the photo. This part is so important that I created a completely different post all about it. You can learn more about how to choose your outfits by clicking here.
Prepare Your Clothes
Once you've picked what to wear, you need to make sure it's clean and ready to go. Try your outfits on before your session to make sure that everything fits and nothing is broken or in need of repair. One important step that is often forgotten is making sure that all fabric is wrinkle free. Get out the iron or steamer the night before your session and hang up your clothes so they don't create new wrinkles. When preparing your outfit, go from head to toe to make sure that no buttons are missing or strings are loose. If you have pets, you may want to run over your clothes with a lint roller. Lastly, make sure that your shoes are clean.
Prepare Your Hair
To make sure that you're looking fresh for your photos, you might want to get a haircut before your session. I would advise doing this a week or two before your session so that it has time to grow in a bit and look natural. Similarly, if you dye your hair, you might want to touch up those roots! Just make sure that if you're dying it at home, you clean off any dye from your skin. Lastly, if you have facial hair, make sure that it's trimmed and looking neat for photos.
Pay Attention to the Small Details
One more item to do at least the day before the session is to get a fresh manicure! Even if you don't paint your nails, make sure that they are trimmed and clean. This is one of the biggest things that gets missed, but try not to overlook it! You will be surprised how noticable your nails are in your portraits.
If you are a person that wears makeup, make sure to give yourself enough time before the session to apply it. If you are trying something new, practice this technique before your photoshoot day. Some people like to get their makeup professionally done, so if that's you, then make sure you have your appointment set! My final advice for makeup is that you choose a look that is versatile so that it matches all your outfits.
Lastly, even if you're not wearing makeup, it would be a great idea to apply a layer of chapstick so your lips don't look cracked or dry. And don't forget that when you're smiling, your teeth will be showing, so brush them and make sure nothing is stuck in there!
Don't Forget Your Skin
Make sure to follow your usual skincare routine leading up to your session, and wash your face. Applying lotion to any skin that will be visible in your photos is also a small detail that is often overlooked. Lastly, don't forget to wear sunscreen in the week before your session! Nobody wants crazy tan lines or bright red skin in their photos.
Take Care of Yourself
Don't overlook taking care of yourself before the big day! Make sure that you are hydrated, have eaten a decent meal, and got sleep the night before. If you're not feeling great during the session, you will be able to tell in the final photos. Plus, you won't remember it as a wonderful experience!
That's the basics of getting ready for your senior photoshoot. If you ever need extra advice or have a question, I am here to help. If this seems too intense, don't worry. The most important thing is that you arrive to the session as yourself and how you normally look. I want your photographs to be a real representation of who you are in this moment in time!
