Senior year is a once-in-a-lifetime chapter.
Senior year is a weird, fast-moving blur. Between all of the "lasts," college applications, and figuring out what happens next fall, there isn't much time to just hit pause. Â
That is really what senior photos are for. It’s not about forcing a stiff smile for the yearbook; it’s about freezing right now. In ten years, you (and your parents) are going to want to look back and remember exactly who you were before you packed up and moved on to the next thing.Â
My whole approach to photography is to keep things simple, natural, and completely painless. Whether you have been planning your outfits for months or you are just showing up to make your mom happy, here is a quick, zero-stress guide to getting ready for our session.Â
The Wardrobe
You don't need to go out and buy a brand new wardrobe. In fact, you probably already own exactly what you need. Depending on your package, I will have you bring 2 to 3 outfit changes to mix things up.
The Lineup:Â Bring one everyday casual look, one slightly dressed-up look (like a nice dress, a sharp sweater, or a button-down), and one outfit that ties into your hobbies or sports. Remember to bring shoes to go with each outfit!
The Pattern Rule:Â Leave the tiny, tight patterns like micro-checkers or thin pinstripes in the closet. Digital cameras hate them and they create a weird, vibrating optical illusion in the final photos. Solid colors, layers, or larger patterns always look better.
The Hanger Rule: Try everything on a few days before to make sure it fits, lint roll fuzz and fur, and please bring your clothes on hangers. Deep wrinkles from the bottom of a duffel bag are surprisingly stubborn to edit out.
Grooming: The Little Details Matter
Hair & Makeup: If you are getting a fresh haircut or trying a new color, get it done about a week before we shoot so it has time to settle in. If you are doing your makeup, stick to your normal style so you still look like you.
The Blemish Rule:Â Woke up with a breakout? Don't panic and definitely do not pick at it. A temporary blemish is the easiest thing in the world for me to remove in editing, but red, irritated skin is a bit harder to hide.
Check Your Nails: Make sure your nails are clean, and if you wear polish, make sure it’s fresh and not chipped.
Hydrate & Prep:Â Drink some extra water a few days before and start using chapstick. Dry, chapped lips are not ideal in photos. If you shave your face, a fresh shave the morning of (or a neat trim) goes a long way.
Bring a Touch-Up Kit: It’s always a good idea to toss a brush, extra chapstick, a mirror, or some touch-up powder into your bag. Having a few essentials on hand makes it super easy to quickly freshen up between outfit changes.
Props: Bring Your World
The absolute easiest way to not feel awkward in front of a camera is to have something to do. If you play a sport, bring your gear. If you love reading, bring your favorite books. If you play an instrument or spend all your time working on your car, let's use them as a prop. Oh, and if you have a pet, let’s chat about if we can incorporate them. Taking photos with something you actually care about makes the whole process feel less like a photoshoot and more like hanging out.Â
The Vibe: No Stiff Posing
If you hate having your picture taken, don't sweat it. You do not need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands. We are just going to walk around, and I will give you easy, natural directions as we go. You don't have to be a model…just show up, and I will handle the rest.Â
See you out there!
Amelia