Being well prepared for your senior photo session can make the difference between average and fabulous photos. Follow these easy tips and you’ll be well on your way to looking your absolute best. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me.
Mindset
Photographing males is much different than photographing females. I’ll make sure you don’t have any poses that don’t look like a guy pose, so relax.
Arrival
Arrive early or on time to your appointment. Showing up late means you lose camera time, and we don’t want that. If you’re coming from out of town, give yourself plenty of time to find your way around.
Style
As a general rule, guys are more complacent when it comes to photos. Even if it’s just for your mom, please come prepared. I (and mom) want you to look your best. Dress in a style that expresses who you are, but dress nicely. Don’t be afraid to ask your female friends or acquaintances for advice. They usually know the current trends!
Clothing
I give you unlimited wardrobe changes, so bring A LOT of options. The more clothes we have to choose from, the better. This will give us flexibility in matching your clothing to backgrounds and the surroundings. Group your clothing together on hangers. Make sure items are free of wrinkles and ready to go. Make sure you’re comfortable in your clothing and that it flatters you. This will ensure that you like how you look when viewing your photos. Avoid stripes and plaid. Solid colors work much better than patterns. Bring a variety of colors and mix the level of styles. Some should be dressy, some dressy-casual, and some casual. Bring black and/or dark gray t-shirts to wear under other shirts. White undershirts stick out and photograph poorly. Avoid t-shirts with large graphics or logos. They distract from the main subject, which is you.
Shoes
Bring a variety of casual and dressier shoes. Try to avoid gym shoes or flip-flops since these will appear too casual when viewing your photos.
Shaving
Please come to your session cleanly shaven. Retouching stubble won’t look as good as a clean shave. If you have facial hair that your mom despises, do her a favor and shave it off. I promise it will grow back.
Hair
If you have longer hair, make sure it will stay out of your eyes during your session. Have it trimmed if necessary. Don’t make any drastic changes like shaving your head or dying your hair around your session date. Otherwise you’ll look back at your photos and wonder “What was I thinking?”
Props
They’re great! Bring props that help show who you are. Some popular choices are:
Sports equipment (football, basketball, baseball bat, etc.)
Sports uniforms
Musical instruments
Activity related items (dance, art, school clubs, etc.)
Glasses
Most lenses have a glare. The safest option is to check with your eye doctor and ask if they’ll loan you a similar pair without lenses.
Complexion
I can retouch your photos, so please don’t be concerned about minor breakouts. I have you covered!
Friends & Parents
Friends or parents are welcome and often can be a help. However, if they distract you, it may be best to meet them when the session is over. You’re welcome to have a couple of shots with a girlfriend, best friend, sibling, or parent at no extra charge.
Weather
Don’t worry about clouds because they actually even out the light and make for ideal shooting conditions. But falling rain is an issue and we have to reschedule.