Senior pictures are something you’ll have long after graduation, so preparing for your senior pictures ahead of time can make a big difference.
The good news is that preparing for senior pictures doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t need to know how to pose, arrive with dozens of ideas, or plan every photograph yourself. That’s part of the photographer’s job.
At Michael Photography in Clio, Michigan, we encourage seniors and parents to think about clothing, personal interests, locations, and the type of photographs they like before the session. From there, we can help put everything together.
Here are some things you can do to make your senior photography session go smoothly.
Schedule a Consultation Before Your Senior Session
One of the best ways to prepare is to talk with your photographer before picture day.
Many seniors have never had a professional photography session and aren’t sure where to begin. That’s completely normal.
A consultation gives you an opportunity to look at examples and discuss the different possibilities available to you.
At Michael Photography, we can talk about traditional indoor portraits, contemporary studio photography, outdoor locations, clothing, sports, hobbies, vehicles, and other ideas you might want to incorporate.
You don’t need to arrive at the consultation with everything figured out. The purpose is to help determine what you like and start building a plan around you.
Decide What You Want Your Senior Pictures to Look Like
Before your session, spend a little time thinking about the photographs you’re drawn to.
Do you prefer natural outdoor photographs?
Do you like more traditional studio portraits?
Would you like something contemporary or dramatic?
Do you want photographs with your vehicle, sports equipment, musical instrument, or another personal interest?
You can like several different styles. In fact, combining different styles is one of the easiest ways to create more variety.
Knowing some of your preferences gives the photographer a starting point.
Plan Your Clothing Ahead of Time
Don’t wait until the morning of your session to decide what you’re going to wear.
Try on your clothing several days beforehand. Make sure everything fits properly and check for wrinkles, stains, pet hair, missing buttons, or anything else that could become noticeable in a photograph.
Consider bringing different types of clothing rather than several outfits that all look similar.
A casual outfit, something dressier, a favorite jacket, and clothing connected to a sport or activity can create several different looks.
Most importantly, choose clothing that looks and feels like you.
Bring Extra Clothing Choices
If you’re undecided between two outfits, bring both.
It’s much easier to leave an outfit unused than to wish you’d brought it with you.
Additional clothing can also be useful when we’re deciding what works best with a particular background or outdoor location.
Keep complete outfits together so you aren’t searching for a missing shirt, belt, pair of shoes, or accessory during the session.
Pay Attention to the Details
Small details can become surprisingly noticeable in a finished portrait.
Check your fingernails, shoes, jewelry, glasses, and other accessories before leaving home.
Make sure your shoes work with each outfit, particularly if we’re creating full-length photographs.
Empty your pockets before being photographed. Phones, keys, wallets, and other objects can create visible bulges in clothing.
Also remember to remove hair ties from your wrist if you don’t want them appearing in your photographs.
These are simple things, but they’re much easier to correct before the picture is taken.
Haircuts Shouldn’t Be Last-Minute
If you’re planning a haircut, don’t necessarily schedule it immediately before your senior session.
A haircut several days or even a week beforehand gives your hair some time to settle into the way you normally wear it.
The same idea applies to making a dramatic change in hairstyle or color. Senior picture day probably isn’t the ideal time to experiment with a completely new appearance unless that’s specifically what you want.
You should recognize yourself in your senior photographs.
What About Hair and Makeup?
There isn’t one correct approach.
Some seniors prefer professional hair and makeup, while others want to prepare exactly as they normally would.
If you’re doing your own makeup, consider how you normally like to look rather than feeling that you need to dramatically change your appearance for photographs.
Bring anything you might need for minor touch-ups during the session.
For outdoor sessions, a brush or comb can be particularly helpful if the weather is windy.
Bring Your Sports and Activity Items
If sports, music, dance, art, motorsports, or another activity has been an important part of your high school experience, consider incorporating it into some of your senior pictures.
Bring the items we’ll need rather than assuming we’ll have them available.
That might include a uniform, ball, helmet, instrument, dance shoes, letter jacket, artwork, or another meaningful object.
Think beyond school activities as well.
Your interests outside of school are also part of who you are.
Your Vehicle Can Be Part of the Session
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, or other vehicles can make senior pictures especially personal.
If you want to include a vehicle, clean it before the session. Pay attention to both the exterior and any interior areas that might appear in photographs.
Don’t worry about whether the vehicle is expensive or unusual.
If it’s important to you, that’s what matters.
Years from now, a photograph with your first car or truck may mean considerably more than you expect today.
Think About Outdoor Locations
If you’re planning outdoor senior pictures, consider whether there’s a location that has special meaning to you.
You may already have a particular setting in mind, or you may simply know that you’d like trees, fields, architecture, water, or another type of background.
You don’t necessarily have to find the location yourself. Discuss the type of appearance you want with your photographer and determine what locations might work.
Also remember that outdoor photography is affected by weather, time of day, season, and lighting conditions.
Some flexibility can be helpful.
Get Everything Ready the Night Before
The night before your senior session, gather everything in one place.
Have your clothing, shoes, jewelry, sports equipment, instruments, and other items ready to go.
Charge your phone if you’ll need it, make sure your vehicle has enough fuel if we’re using it, and double-check your appointment time.
Preparing the night before makes picture day considerably less stressful.
Get Some Sleep
It sounds obvious, but don’t underestimate this one.
Being tired can show in your expression and energy.
Try to get a normal night’s sleep before your senior photography session rather than staying up unusually late.
Give yourself enough time to get ready so you’re not rushing to the appointment.
Arriving relaxed makes it much easier to settle into the session.
Don’t Worry About Knowing How to Pose
This may be one of the most important things for seniors to understand.
You aren’t expected to know how to pose.
Most people aren’t professional models and don’t spend their time thinking about where to put their hands, how to stand, or which direction to turn their shoulders.
Posing is part of what you’re hiring a professional photographer to handle.
We’ll provide direction throughout the session and make adjustments as we photograph you.
Your job is to be yourself.
Parents Can Help Too
Parents are often involved in planning senior pictures, and that’s a good thing.
They may notice clothing details, remember something that was supposed to be brought, or have ideas for photographs they’d particularly like.
Senior photography can include images both the senior and parents will appreciate.
You don’t necessarily have to agree on one style.
Creating variety allows us to make contemporary or casual photographs for the senior while also creating more traditional portraits for parents and grandparents.
Don’t Try to Copy Someone Else’s Senior Pictures Exactly
It’s perfectly fine to look at senior pictures for inspiration.
But another person’s photographs were created around their appearance, clothing, personality, location, and interests.
Use examples to show your photographer what you like rather than trying to duplicate another senior’s session photograph for photograph.
Your senior pictures should ultimately look like your senior pictures.
What Should You Bring to Your Senior Photography Session?
Before leaving home, make sure you have the important items you planned to use:
- Clothing and appropriate shoes
- Jewelry and accessories
- Sports uniforms or equipment
- Musical instruments or hobby-related items
- Letter jacket or school-related clothing
- Hair and makeup touch-up items
- Any props or personal items you’ve discussed with your photographer
If you’re bringing something unusual or particularly large, discuss it beforehand so it can be incorporated into the session properly.
The Most Important Preparation Is Simply Planning Ahead
Senior photography should be enjoyable, not stressful.
You don’t have to arrive knowing exactly what to do. You simply need to put some thought into what you’d like your senior pictures to represent and bring the things we’ll need to create them.
Planning your clothing, gathering personal items, discussing locations and ideas, and having a consultation beforehand can make the entire experience easier.
The photographer can take it from there.
Senior Photography in Clio and Mid-Michigan
Michael Photography is a professional photography studio located in Clio, Michigan, providing senior photography for families throughout Genesee County and surrounding Mid-Michigan communities.
We offer traditional indoor senior portraits, contemporary studio photography, outdoor senior sessions, and opportunities to incorporate sports, hobbies, vehicles, and other interests.
Our consultation process is designed to help seniors and parents determine what they want before picture day. You can look through examples, ask questions, discuss clothing and locations, and start planning a session that reflects the senior’s personality.
Call Michael Photography at 810-686-4719 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our senior photography sessions.