High School Seniors

Hi, there! If you are reading this, you have likely either booked a session with me or are interested in doing so. Thank you!

Typically, the first question I am asked is, “What should I wear?!” So, I have put together a short guide to help you figure out how to look your best on this important day!

1. You do not necessarily have to “dress up” for your portrait session. The best images are usually captured when you wear clothing that you are comfortable in and outfits that match your unique style. I recommend trying to keep things simple by picking solid or semi-solid colors and coordinating your wardrobe as much as possible.

2. Many of my sessions are outside in grassy areas, on the beach, and in urban areas. So, avoid wearing a lot of green in Spring and Summer; in Fall, try to stay away from wearing brown. You don’t want to blend in--you want to stand out! We can help coordinate “what” based on “where,” so no need to be overly concerned. We will assist you to look your best!

3. On the topic of color, stay away from fluorescents. Those colors on your shirt will show up on your face, and even in your hair! They are way too bright and too harsh. Also, while coral isn’t technically a fluorescent color, avoiding that color will also save me from a few grey hairs! :-)

4. Dress for the season. If you are scheduling a portrait session during the fall or winter, bring a jacket, hats, scarves and/or gloves. Coordinate your clothing ensemble to match the fall colors and cooler weather. During the spring and summer months, women should consider warm weather tops (to wear with pants or skirts), summer blouses, sun dresses, skirts and shorts. Men’s wardrobes are usually much simpler. That being said, I recommend bringing several T-shirts, button down shirts and jeans/pants.

5. Choose clothes that fit. I will have you in a variety of different poses. Wearing clothes that do not fit properly could prevent you from particular poses and possibly limit the creativity of your photos. For example, jeans that are too tight might keep you from being able to squat. And, clothes that are too big may simply look messy and not flatter you whatsoever.

6. WORDS, WORDS, WORDS… Anything that has LARGE font and graphics on the front is a big no-no! The first thing someone will look at is what your shirt says. Unless you are trying to replicate a superman moment (or have a really cool graphic tee that I have approved), just say no!

7. Let’s talk about jeans. Skinny jeans are flattering on most women. Pair them with cute heels or wedges, and your legs look a mile long. However, if you are overweight and do not feel comfortable with the tighter fit, I recommend a fit called a “skinny boot cut.” For the guys, wear jeans that are not too big and or too tight. (Skinny jeans look great on guys, too!)

8.Layer, layer, layer! Layers add dimension and depth. In the summer, layer your dress with a cute belt and pendant necklace. In the fall and winter--cardigans, belts, statement necklaces, scarves, blazers, etc. Accessories will really pull your outfit together. A chunky necklace, bangle bracelets, glasses, vest, cardigans, tights, leggings, suspenders, hats, and even bow ties (they’re great!).

9. Try to stick with clothes that you already own--and love! Deciding what to wear for your senior portraits may seem like a fun opportunity for a shopping trip, but you run the risk of picking something too trendy or that you won’t love as much the second or third time you see it.  We all have that outfit that we wore only once or twice and never wore again. You definitely do not want the clothes you are wearing in your senior portraits to distract you later. If you do buy new, wear the outfit a couple of times prior to our session together to make sure you truly love it. The “perfect outfit” looks like you on your very best day!

10. If you wear glasses every day, you should wear them for your senior pictures.  With that being said, there are two things that are difficult to photograph:  glasses with glare and transition lenses.  The easiest solution?  Remove the lenses before your session. Yes! Take them to your eye doctor, and have them removed for the day. This will ensure you will look like you, but without the glare in the lenses. Transition lenses are extremely difficult to photograph. If you can’t remove the lenses and you don’t have a pair that does not have progressive lenses, you can try keeping them in your pocket until right before the shutter clicks. This will give me the best chance to show off your eyes in your senior portraits before your glasses turn to shades. 

11. What you are wearing under your clothes is just as important as what outfit you’re wearing for your senior portraits. Make sure everything looks and fits well accordingly, e.g., undergarment straps are not visible, and the color isn’t showing through. If you are wearing white, you should wear flesh-colored undergarments (not white).  Guys, you’re not off the hook here either. Let’s just say make sure that your boxers aren’t peeking out from your shorts when you sit down, and nothing is bunching up under your clothes. When you’re laying out your outfits, make sure you include the undergarments you’ll be wearing, too. You will both look and feel much more comfortable when you’re not fighting with your visible straps or boxers.

12. Make sure your outfit looks just as good whether you’re sitting, standing, or kneeling. If your shorts have a weird “diaper look” when you sit, don’t wear them!  If your dress only fits right if you’re standing up, it’s probably not the right outfit. In your senior portraits, you want a variety of poses so please don’t wear clothes that restrict your posing options! The best outfits will give room to switch from standing to sitting to squatting, to even laying on the ground.

13. Show off your culture and traditions. For example, you might not wear a Hawaiian lei to school, but it can be a beautiful element in your senior portraits that tells the story of who you are in your photographs. A good photographer will be able to use these pieces without it being too cliché.

14. Mix it up.  Make sure there are different styles and levels of dressy in your outfits. A more dressy outfit, a casual work outfit, and a totally casual outfit is what most people bring. If you love dresses and only want to wear dresses for your session, that is totally fine. However, make sure there is variety in lengths, textures, and features (like pockets) to allow diverse posing options. You do not want your portraits for all three outfits to essentially look the same. Having a variety of styles and looks will help.

15. Bring all the gear. If you’re going to wear a sports uniform, bring the whole thing, including the equipment. Bring your full uniform for your senior portraits and whatever racket, bat, lacrosse stick, or golf club goes with it (don’t forget the ball)! If you like to go camping, bring your camping pack and make sure it is full of gear. There is nothing more obvious than an empty backpack. Cheerleaders, bring the pom poms!

16. Bring anything special to YOU! If you adore your dog and can't imagine a photo session without him/her, please feel free to bring your sweet pup (but, don't forget those treats!). Here are some popular things my seniors have brought in the past: class ring, car or truck, boyfriend/girlfriend, best friend, awards/athletic medals, playbills from your plays, instruments, dance gear,,,,​ANYTHING special to you and your high school experience!

Definitely feel free to bring someone with you. It can be so much more fun with your parent or best friend there experiencing your photo session with you. And, your smiles become so much more natural.

Lastly, send me photos! I encourage you to send me photos of all your outfits and accessories. I can tell you right away what works and what doesn't. I am here to help you make your high school portraits photo session the best, most enjoyable experience and reflection of who you are!

10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Senior Portraits

There are many decisions to make when it comes to your senior portraits session, and the number one question seems to be how to choose the best location. Finding the perfect location is of course subjective and really is all about what’s “perfect” for you. So here are ten tips for choosing the perfect location for your senior portraits…

1. Who are you and what do you want your senior portraits to say about you? Are you artsy? A fashionista? A country girl/guy? A free spirit? A hipster? An outdoorsy casual girl? A sleek city girl or a GQ guy? A sports fanatic? A water lover? Jot down all the things you love and a short description of yourself. From there we can pull location ideas that will help tell the story of who you are and what you’d like to say about yourself in your photos. Your senior photos are all about you and should showcase your personality and personal style.

2. How do you want your senior portraits to look like and ultimately “feel?”  This ties into question #1, but really is all about the feeling you’ll get looking at your images. Do you want a light and airy feeling? Do you want more of a glamour look? Are you absolutely in love with the country and want tall grass and a casual feel? Are you a free spirit and want your images to have that free feeling and be a bit more candid in nature? Is it the beach you love and desire with its gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, or that beautiful lake you spent family time with?

3. Find a location that has a variety of features and spots for portraits. We want to be able to get a variety of photos from your location, so choosing a location that has many different features is key. If you’re choosing a country location then look for one with tall grass, a barn, a fence, trees, a swing, etc. If you’re choosing a park location, then look for one with flowers, a rock wall, a view of the city, perhaps water access (a beach or lake), etc.

4. Gorgeous light always wins over a pretty background. Pretty light ultimately makes your portraits amazing! If you have a pretty background, but insufficient light, too much of the wrong kind of light, or spotty light, then your senior portraits sadly will not be awesome. Light is the guiding and critical factor in every place that I choose for portraits. Keeping this in mind, the time of day will always dictate where we go and how we choose our locations. If you want gorgeous sunset pictures while standing in the river then we have to be at the river at sunset! The same applies to the beach. So, you will have to choose your priorities when choosing locations and the look and feel of your images, too. Additionally, when looking for locations, we need to have shade available to us. Taking images out in the glaring sunlight will yield you less than flattering results. Shade is often our best friend, especially during the harshest afternoon light. Having a location that gives us plenty of shade options is super important. When it comes to beach images, early morning and late in the afternoon/early evening is ideal.

5. Are there photography restrictions for the location you have in mind? Many commercial locations have restrictions regarding photography sessions. Often there is a permit that needs to be acquired and a fee that needs to be paid. These can range from $25 up to several hundred dollars depending on the location. Keep in mind that permits can take weeks to be approved and are often very limiting in the time we can be at that location taking photos.

6. What will you be wearing for your portraits? You may be thinking, why should you have to worry about what to wear while thinking about location. Quite honestly, your clothing choices can help to make or break a location being perfect. Your wardrobe choice needs to match the feel of the location you choose and also have color harmony. If you’re the fashionista type and want to wear a fabulous sparkly gown, then choosing a location that matches that look is key to the portrait’s success. This same principle applies to the guys. If you want to wear a blue shirt, then the background complimenting the blue and helping it to pop is equally as important.

7. What don’t you want for your portraits? For some reason, oftentimes this question is easier to answer than what you do want. If you know straight up that you hate the woods and trees and grass, then we won’t even discuss park locations with green space. If you’ve seen one too many photos of senior girls/guys in a barn, then we will not look at barn locations. You get the idea here! Sometimes thinking of what you really don’t want helps lead you to what you really would like.

8. Choose a meaningful location. Choosing a location that means something to you can really come through in your portraits and help to create meaningful images. Does your family summer at the coast or lake, and you’ve spent countless summer days there? Then having your senior portrait session on the beach/lake, etc, would be both beautiful and meaningful. Do your grandparents have property out in the country? Then perhaps having some of your photos taken on that property would be an ideal choice.

9. Consider the crowds and timing when thinking of locations. Busy locations look busy! That’s great if the look you’re going for in your portraits is busy, hustle bustle, city life (or if you don’t mind portraits with hundreds of humanities as your best friends in and around you). However, if you’d like less people in the backgrounds of your photos or don’t want to have to wait for a lot of people to walk by, then choosing a less busy location is important.

10. Think outside the box. Sit down and brainstorm awesome ideas. Take a look at Pinterest for some inspiration. Think of friends and family and people that you know that may have access to a location that isn’t accessible to everyone. Think awesome private residences, tucked away cove/beach locations, event venues, fields, wooded areas, rooftops, vacant lofts, skyscrapers, maybe an airplane hanger or a place with vintage cars. The sky is really the limit here!

I’m open to photographing most places--we just need to be able to get there and have access. I am willing to travel to the beach or the big city. I’m willing to lay on the ground in the middle of the street to get that perfect shot (I have done this!).

My ultimate favorite part of the day!  Sweet light--because its soooo sweet!

The "golden hours"--early to mid-morning and late afternoon--are the best times of the day for outdoor shots. Plan for at least a couple of hours before sunset. You can still take photos at other times of the day; however, it becomes a bit trickier for achieving the best light. Depending on travel time to various locations, a senior portraits session is typically between one and three hours depending on what locations you choose.

The golden hours occur just after sunrise and before sunset when the sun stays low on the horizon, creating a signature warm glow. As a professional photographer, I understand the golden hours more technically and efficiently--it is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.

The golden hours are also known as the “magic hours.” This is because, during the golden hours, the sun is low in the sky, providing a soft, diffused light that is much more favorable than the harsh midday sun that we are used to photographing in. The golden hours’ soft, warm, directional light makes it a preferred and easier time to photograph. It has a characteristic look compared to other times of day.

It is soft. The transition from light to dark is gradual, creating soft light that’s universally flattering and particularly good for portraits. It is warm. The low angle of the sun creates an orange glow, associated with calm and happiness. It is directional. Since the sun is low in the sky, it’s easy to create back lighting, side lighting or front lighting with just the sun utilizing my creative skill sets.

Together, these three characteristics form the magic of the golden hours. All you have to do to take advantage of the golden hours is adjust your session time (and, perhaps, wake up a little earlier!).

It is critically important that you let me know what kind of images you are hoping for from your senior session. An insightful way to do this is to think of three to five adjectives that best describe the way you would like your images to look and feel. For example: fun, funky, natural, romantic, elegant, classy, urban, … (you get the picture—pun intended!). The adjectives you choose will certainly open up a dialogue for us to discuss your unique vision about your high school senior portraits.

So, let's chat about your senior photos!

1. Use the Contact (Schedule a Session Now) tab to tell me a little about yourself and what you are hoping for in your senior photos.
2. Check your inbox for an email to schedule a phone call. This is an opportunity to get to know each other, chat about what you are looking for, and answer any questions you may have about senior photos.
3. Pick a date. You will be able to pick a date from available options to fit your schedule for your senior portraits session.
4. Get ready for your senior session!

I will help you every step of the way to make sure you have the best senior photo experience imaginable!