SENIORS SE NIOR S ESS I ON P RE P GU I DE
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M I L E S TO N E YE A R
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS GUIDE This is designed to guide you though the entire process from booking, to the day of the session! It is packed with valuable information including finding your photographer, wardrobe to-dos, great tips, and so much more. The back pages contain useful printouts to help you stay creative, organized, and stress free!
WHY ARE SENIOR PHOTOS IMPORTANT? Senior pictures are way more than a mugshot in a year book, it’s about capturing and celebrating a huge stage in a young adult’s life. Senior year marks the end of their young academic career, the last years of being with the group of friends they grew up with, the last years at home, but more-so it’s the beginnings of their FUTURE. Senior pictures are a great way to capture who they are right now!
TABLE OF CONTENTS 02. WHAT TO EXPECT 03. WHEN TO BOOK 04. CHOOSING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER 05. SEASON & LOCATION TIPS 06. WARDROBE 07. PROPS 08. MAKEUP 09. THE DAY OF... 10. PLANNING NOTESHEET 11. SENIOR SESSION SCHEDULE 12. DAY-OF-SESSION CHECKLIST
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B OO K I N G YO U R S ESSION
WHEN TO BOOK: Consider booking around January-March of your teen’s junior year. Senior photos are most commonly done from the months of June to August, the summer before their senior year. Depending on your photographer and the demand for them, it may be hard to book if you wait. As a rule of thumb, the earlier you book, the more dates you have to choose from. Know your yearbook’s photo deadline. Get your pictures done before this date. Each school is different. If you don’t know this date, contact your school to see when your photo needs to submitted. They should also state a specific size the photograph needs to be. Most yearbooks require a head-shot without any props, hats, or obscene shirts. Below is the conventional photo specifications for the yearbook. Talk to your photographer to see if they submit the photos or if that is something you have to do!
2.25”
3”
Digital File Format 300 DPI Width: 2.25” Height: 3” Format: JPEG
Here is a good example of a yearbook photo! This is a head-shot without a prop, hat, or distracting shirt.
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B OO K I N G YO U R SESSION
CH O OS ING Y OU R P H OT OGRA P HE R : Bottom line: you get what you pay for. Often people choose photographers based on how many images they will receive. However, this is where quality suffers. Are you really going to frame 250 photos to hang in the living room? No. •
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Ask to see the photographer’s portfolio. Look at their work and see if you like their style. Look at posing and how they creatively edit their images. See if what they offer fits your needs. Find a photographer you can connect with. These photographers allow you to be yourself in-front of the camera and feel comfortable. It really shows in the photos! Check to see if they are in your budget. You know what you are willing and can spend.
HOW DO I FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER IN MY AREA? There are many resources for finding photographers in your area. Thanks, technology! • • • • • •
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Simply Googleing “Photographers” will turn up a list of Google business pages of photographers around you. Facebook! If you type in the search bar “Photographers” and your location, a number of Facebook business pages should pop up! Ask your friends! If you have older friends who have already had their pictures done – ask about their photographer and experience. On Instagram, search for tags of “Senior Photos” with your area. Search the business directory of your local Chamber of Commerce for photographers. You could give Craigslist a go.
B OO K I N G YO U R SESSION
SE A S ON: If outdoor sessions are what your are looking for, then you should really consider what season interests you to take pictures. Spring and summer are known for flowers and green vegetation, fall has the all the beautiful colorful foliage, and winter has the option of snow. Keep in mind outfits you want to wear and the appropriate seasons to wear them in. If you really want to wear that cute black dress, you may want to avoid winter or late fall, unless of course you want to be a little chilly!
L O C AT I O N : Choosing your locations can be difficult. Sometimes the best location is in your back yard! Look for locations with shade! These can be wooded areas, between buildings or any other structures that block out the sun. The options are almost endless when it comes to outdoor locations. Here are some ideas for senior picture locations:
TIM E OF DAY: As a rule of thumb, the best time to take pictures is about an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset. We call this “the golden hour” because it produces stunning images. During this time the sun sits low in the sky and gives a very flattering soft, diffused light. During the middle of the day the sun is directly overhead and produces harsh shadows which are unappealing in photographs as they produce dark eye circles.
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Old brick building with rustic stairs A barn with weathered barn wood Downtown area A park A creek A field An apple orchard Junk yard A local business you frequent
Quick tip! Ask your photographer for spots they like to go!
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PR E PA RI N G F O R YOUR SESSION
WA R D R O B E Let’s consider staying away from the cliché white shirt (or black) and blue jeans. Though it is a popular choice because it is simple, it does not tend to be the most flattering combination. It will NOT make your pictures stand out or define who you are as in individual. Consider colors that make your skin-tone and hair pop and stay away from colors that are too close to your skin tone. Bring clothes you love! Anything you feel comfortable and confident in. Be YOU! Don’t go shopping the night before your senior photos for your outfits like I did. You feel rushed and regret your quick outfit selections once you see your final images!
SOME TI PS. . . •
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Accessorize! This is key! Find a great necklace that goes with your outfit or set of earrings. Put some bling on your hands with a watch, bracelets, or cool ring. Add to your outfit with a fun hat or belt! Incorporate texture. Texture can come in so many forms… a large knit sweater, a frilly scarf, ruffles on a skirt, sequence tanks, fun striped rain boots… it simply adds an extra element. If you’ve got some texture in your closet - bring it! Wear layers! It could be a cute laced shirt under a leather jacket, or a vest over a cardigan (just a few examples). The great thing about layers is that they can be quickly taken off or mixed up to give a total different look. Have variety in your outfits! Bring a variety of colors and mix the level of styles. Some should be dressy, some dressy-casual, and some casual. Go out and buy new outfits! Everyone loves wearing new clothes and they make you feel amazing!
PR EPA RI N G F O R YOUR SESSION
WHAT TO AVOI D ( Rec ap) • • • • •
White or anything close to your skin tone. Baggy clothes that make you seem larger than you really are. Tight clothes you feel uncomfortable in. Short skirts/dresses may limit pose options. Going shopping last minute.
OR G ANIZ ING Y OU R O U T FI T S Organization is key on your session date. Be prepared before-hand! Start to get outfits on hangers a week before your session. Your shirts need to be wrinkle-free, so hanging them up is your best bet! If they are wrinkly, make sure to run an iron on them or take them to the dry cleaners. Quick tip! Put your jewelry in small baggies and attach them to the hanger of the outfit you are going to bring with. Less tangling and mess!
P R OPS Bring props that help show who you are as an individual. Here are some ideas and popular choices... • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sports equipment (soccer ball, basketball, softball bat, etc.) Musical instruments Activity related items (dance, art, school clubs, etc.) Pets! Balloons Bubbles Car, truck, motorcycle, four-wheeler, old relic vehicle, dad’s mustang... Old chair Graduation cap and gown Sparklers Banners Glitter/confetti Sunglasses
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PR E PA RI N G F O R YOUR SESSION MA K E U P Whether you love makeup or are more of a natural girl, wear a tad more than you normally do. If you want a model look, consider working with a professional makeup artist. Many salons have makeup artists or visit your local makeup retailer such as Ulta or Sephora. They do makeup application as well! If you are more of a natural beauty, a little mascara to pop the lashes and some translucent powder to control shine can really go a long way! Quick tip! Fake eye-lashes look GORGEOUS in photographs! It really makes your eyes POP. Quick tip! Fake eye-lashes look GORGEOUS in photographs! It really makes your eyes POP. Why go with a professional makeup artist? • Less stress! • A makeup artist can enhance your favorite features and conceal the ones you’d rather hide. • This day is all about you. Pamper yourself and feel amazing. It will show in the photos!
N AI LS Make sure fingernails and toenails are prepped for the session! Avoid bright nail polish colors and crazy patterns because they can be distracting in an image. Opt for more neutral tones, a French manicure or no polish at all!
G LAS S ES If you wear glasses, visit your optometrist to see if they can loan you a pair without lenses, or if you can have the lenses removed for your session. The biggest issue with glasses is glare on the lens! Photographers do their best to avoid it, but it’s sometimes inevitable.
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PR E PA R I N G F O R YOUR SESSION CREATE A SC H EDU L E If you plan on getting your hair, nails, and makeup done before your session, it is smart to create a schedule to budget your time. After your photography session date is solidified - book in advance for your hair and makeup. Nails can be done a day or two before but your hair and makeup should be done a few hours before your session. Plan accordingly and include time it takes to travel between each location. See the Schedule Printout on the last page!
B RI NG S OMEONE W I T H Y OU This person can be a parent, grandparent, sibling, boyfriend, or best friend. Someone who knows you as well as you do! They will make you relax and take a more natural picture. They can also be your portable clothing rack for quick changes and be a spotter for loose hair, or wrinkled shirts.
W H AT TO B RI NG T O T H E SESS I O N The most important thing to bring is yourself! Obviously! Make sure to eat a good breakfast the day of and get enough sleep the night before. Bring water to your session to make sure you keep hydrated and if you have a long session - bring a snack. Make sure the food isn’t messy. A protein or granola bar is a great choice! Keeps you full and focused. Be sure to include touchup makeup and brushes just in-case there is a makeup malfunction. Kleenexes and makeup remover towels are also a great idea! A hair brush and hairspray are a necessity for keep fly-aways down and hair looking fabulous! Don’t forget your props, outfits and shoes. Include a pair of comfortable shoes you can easily slip on for walking around since heels aren’t always the most comfortable!
MOS T I MPOR TA NT LY. . . Have fun. Plain and simple. Have a great attitude and smile a lot! Your pictures will show this! Be you and let your photos reflect who you are as a individual.
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SE N I O R S ES S I O N PLA NNING NOT E SH EE T Print off this sheet to keep track of your Senior Session ideas! Write down photographers and hair/makeup stylists that you are interested in working with. Jot down locations you stumble upon or know of that you love. Don’t forget prop or outfit ideas! Get excited and keep everything in one place!
P H OTO GR APH E R S : Business Name:
Email:
Phone:
Business Name:
Email:
Phone:
Business Name:
Email:
Phone:
Business Name:
Email:
Phone:
Name:
Email:
Phone:
Name:
Email:
Phone:
Name:
Email:
Phone:
Name:
Email:
Phone:
LO C ATIO NS:
P R O PS:
OU TFITS:
MAKEUP / H A I R S T YL I S TS :
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S ENI O R S ESSION SC H EDULE
Print off this sheet to keep track of what’s going on the day of your session. It can get a little crazy trying to perfectly time everything before your session start time! Here is a great visual! Be prepared and organized using the schedule below.
SCHEDUL E : 6 AM
N OT E S :
7 AM 8 AM 9 AM 10 AM 11 AM
SESSION DATE
12 PM 1 PM 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM 5 PM 6 PM 7 PM 8 PM 9 PM 11
DAY- O F - S E SSION C H EC KLIST
Keep this sheet until the day of your session! Before you head off to meet your photographer go through the checklist below to make sure you have everything you need and didn’t forget anything!
CL IENT C H E C K L I S T: S ess ion Fee p a i d i n f ull. Contrac t s s i gn ed Pers on yo u a re b r i ngi ng a l o n g ! Props yo u a re b r i ngi ng : O u tfit s t hat a re W R I NK L E FRE E Shoes (B r i n g a co mf y p a i r t h at are e asy to sl i p o n ! ) Proper un d erg a r ment s t h at wo n’t sh ow. D o n’t fo rg e t t h e st rap l ess Jewelr y (o rg a n i zed a nd n o t i n a m e ss! ) Tou ch -up m a keup a nd ma k e u p b r u sh e s Hair-brus h , ha i r-s p ray, s t yl i n g p ro d u c t s K leenexes, ma keup rem ove r w i p e s, n ai l p o l i sh re m ove r G las s es wi t h o ut lens es Water a nd gra n o la b a r (o r so m e N OT M E S S Y sn ac k ) Positive at t i t ud e a n d s m i l e s! H ave f u n . Th i s d ay i s ab o u t yo u !
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