By Jeff House, Magnolia Photography SC

Embarking on a senior photography session is a momentous occasion that marks the culmination of your high school journey. To ensure you capture this significant chapter of your life in the best possible way, careful preparation is key. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into various aspects of preparing for your senior photography session, covering everything from choosing the right photographer to grooming tips, wardrobe selection, location considerations, and much more.

8 Tips To Prepare For Your Senior Photography Session

1. Selecting The Right Photographer

Your senior portraits are a lasting memento, so it's crucial to choose a photographer whose style aligns with your vision. Begin by researching local photographers and reviewing their portfolios. Photography style is subjective but I’m going to share some very easy tips to simplify the entire process.

Most people in search of a photographer are told they need to research “photography styes” online, and then choose a photographer that specializes in the style they like. I have always been of the belief that this is some of the worst advice you can be given. Forget how a photographer “defines” their style and focus on the appearance of their actual photos.

The creative process is made up of two aspects - image capture and post-production. When reviewing a photographers portfolio, ask yourself these questions:

• How does the person or people in the photos look? Scared to death or do they look comfortable?

• Does the photographer appear to capture their photos in an interesting way?

• How does the photographer appear to use lighting? Are they good at using both natural light and flash? A photographer should be skilled in utilizing both, and any photographer that tells you they are “only natural light” or “only flash,” is lacking important skills.

• How does the editing of the photos look? Are the colors natural and “popping” without looking like something out of a sci-fi movie?

• How does the posing of the people or person in the photos look? Is it natural or stiff and robotic?

These are types of questions you want to think about when looking at a photographer’s portfolio.

2. Planning The Session

Once you select your photographer, it’s time to collaborate with them to plan the session. Discuss your preferences for the shoot. You will want to ensure the attire you’re planning to wear is supported by the location you choose. This is one of the most overlooked details and it can make or break your photos. When your attire and location don’t support one another, the photos are no longer cohesive, and they appear awkward.

During the next couple of tips, we are going to take a deeper dive into your wardrobe and your location to ensure you get the most out of your senior photography session!

3. Selecting Your Wardrobe

Your clothing choices play a pivotal role in the overall aesthetics of your senior portraits. Opt for outfits that reflect your personality and make you feel comfortable, and confident. You will want to speak with your photographer regarding the allowable number of outfits. Most photographers will allow you at least a couple of options during the session.

When choosing your attire, there are a lot of details to consider. Let’s take a look.

Avoid the following:

• Outfits with a lot of stripes or bold patterns as this can cause issues with the camera

• Outfits that are all one color or lack contrast - this will cause the photos to lack depth, texture, and dimension

• Outfits with neon or super bright colors - this can cause color casts on skin and hair that can’t be corrected in post-production

• Avoid outfits that are overly tight as this will restrict your movement, will lack comfort, and won’t be as flattering in the images

• Avoid clothing that is too loose or baggy as this will detract from the photographs

• Avoid clothing that is old or worn as this will also degrade the images

• Don’t wear attire with large logos as this will cause the photos to be very distracting

Choose attire:

• In which the top and bottom compliments each other in both style and color

• That is a solid color or has limited patterns

• Use accessories such as a scarf, jewelry, or shoes to add visual interest

• That compliments the location

• That compliments the time of year

• That is comfortable and isn’t too loose or too tight

• That looks neat, clean, and pressed and free from stains, holes, or other imperfections

When it comes to great photographs, we are always striving to create depth, texture, and dimension. By following these simple tips for choosing your attire, we will be sure to achieve our goal!

4. Location Including Timing And Lighting

As we previously discussed, the location for your senior photography session should compliment your attire. We are striving for a cohesive look and feel with our attire, and location. If one doesn’t support the other, you will likely be very disappointed with your images due to the awkward feel that will be prevalent.

Once you have your location worked out, the next important detail to consider is timing and lighting. These two things go hand-in-hand. Bear in mind that early morning and early evening provide the most flattering natural light. With the sun lower in the sky, the light is not nearly as harsh. Of course, images can be captured any time of the day, but the afternoon sun will create a harder light with unfavorable shadows. Mornings and evenings tend to provide softer, warmer, and richer lighting.

To really get the feel for this, imagine a beach shoot. Think about how the lighting looks at sunset compared to 1:00 in the afternoon. Two completely different lighting scenarios.

What else do you need to think about when it comes to location? At the risk of sounding like a broken record, even your choice of a location plays into our goal of creating depth, texture, and dimension. A great way to accomplish this is to choose locations that hold a personal significance or reflect your hobbies and interests. Whether it’s the beach, a picturesque park, urban setting, or a meaningful spot from your high school years, the perfect location will elevate the storytelling aspect of your photographs.

Another great tip when it comes to selecting a location is to choose something that offers a variety of options. It might be a park that offers beautiful garden areas, small bridges, a unique staircase, etc. Because your session will generally last between 60-90 minutes, choosing a location with a lot of variety and different backdrops will ensure you get a lot of different images in a short period of time.

6. Props And Personal Touches

Another great way to add depth, texture, and dimension to your images is to work with your photographer to add personal touches or meaningful props such as; musical instruments, sports equipment, items representing future aspirations, etc. Adding props and personal touches to your senior photography session is a great way add uniqueness and authenticity to your photos.

7. Relaxation And Natural Expressions

I think we would all agree the best photographs capture genuine emotions and expressions. This, of course, is easier said than done and it circles back to tip #1 when we talked about selecting the right photographer. Of course, you need to like their photographs, but the single most important detail when choosing a photographer is personality. You might adore a photographer’s photos, but if you don’t like their personality, your photos will never look as good. If there is something about their personality that rubs you the wrong way or annoys you, you won’t be able to relax, and trust them. This will lead to photos in which you look hesitant and reluctant.

Choose a photographer in which you feel a connection. This will allow you to build a trusting relationship and when you trust your photographer, your natural self will now have room to shine through! I promise, you will be a 1,0000 times happier with your photos!

8. Final Touches And Considerations

Prior to your senior photography session, your photographer should provide clear expectations of what to expect once the session is over. You should know the following:

• How many images will you receive from the session?

• How long will it take for them to be edited and delivered?

• How will they be delivered to you?

• What’s included with your photography package?

• Are there any restrictions on how and where you can use the images?

Every photographer works a little different, so you will certainly want to know these things prior to working with anyone. I have always been of the belief that I want to make the process as easy as possible. It shouldn’t be complex or filled with hidden fees. I give my clients every usable image from the session. But what’s my definition of “usable?” That’s pretty broad, right?

The images that don’t get delivered include those with closed eyes, unflattering facial expressions, focus issues, lighting issues, and duplicates. When photographing people, it’s imperative that you take a lot of duplicate images to ensure a nice clean image with good facial expressions. On average, for a one hour session, I deliver between 30- 50 professionally edited photos.

Earlier, we spoke about the importance of choosing a location that offers a lot of variety. This is part of the reason why that is so important. The more photo opportunities we have in a particular location, generally, the more photos we get from the session.

When I deliver the photos, they come on a USB thumb drive because I deliver true high resolution images that are 61 megapixels in size. True high res is 300 ppi. This is the standard for beautiful prints. I also provide copies of the high resolution images in a compressed resolution. These images can be used to share online using your favorite social media platforms. The compressed resolution will ensure smaller file sizes for fast uploads and they will look beautiful displayed on a digital screen.

In Conclusion

Preparing for your senior photography session involves a thoughtful approach to various elements, from selecting the right photographer to curating your wardrobe and choosing the perfect location. By following this comprehensive guide, you'll not only capture stunning senior portraits but also create lasting memories that reflect your unique personality and journey through high school. Enjoy the experience, and embrace the opportunity to showcase the essence of who you are at this pivotal moment in your life.