Bonnie Jordan
Sep 28, 20203 min
Updated: Dec 19, 2023
Congratulations, you are a senior! Be proud of yourself, this is a big moment in your life.
Now it's time to start planning for your senior pictures. Here are some tips to help you out.
Let the adventure begin!
Tip 1
Sleep and Eat
Get lots of rest the night before your session, and eat something beforehand so that you won’t be tired and hangry!
Tip 2
Your Location
If you would like to pick out the location, that’s cool with me! To find the best place, pick a place that you love, or has something that you love in it. Think about what the location has that you can interact with. Ideas include old brick walls, trees, bridges, stadiums, rocks, trains, railroads, water, open fields, skate parks, and fences are just a few things that you could lean on, sit on, do a hand stand on, or have as a background.
I am happy to make location suggestions and help find the right one for you!
Tip 3
Time Of Day
Golden hour is one hour before sunset and my favorite light to work with. Golden hour light will make your skin look its best and if you love sun flares, we can get those too! However, if you need a session earlier in the day we can make it work by picking a location with shade from buildings or trees or getting creative with our posing.
Tip 4
Get Your Body Ready
Skin
If you are sunburned, or have pealing skin we should reschedule. Acne will be removed. Scars will only be removed at your request.
Hair
Haircuts 1 month in advance for girls and 1 week in advance for guys, so that your hair has time to look natural. Style your hair in a way that says YOU! This is probably not be the time to try something dramatically different, unless dramatically different is your signature look;)
Makeup
Your eyes will be the focus of most of your photos. Lots of eyeliner will make your eyes look smaller; lots of mascara will make your eyes look bigger!
Appendages
Your hands and feet will be visible in some of the photos, so trimmed nails and no chipped paint will help them look their best!
Tip 5
Wardrobe
When you are picking out your clothes pick a style you normally would wear but up it a notch with extra flare. You want to still look and feel like yourself. Here are some tips for choosing your wardrobe.
Try your clothes on beforehand and sit, bend reach etc. to make sure that they cover what you would like them to cover.
Dark colors are slimming; solid colors or a splash of color is the best.
Wear clothes that can be layered or changed in the car as there may not be a place outdoors to dress.
Match your outfit to the location. You won’t want to wear shorts in the concert hall, or a shirt and tie in the woods! (…although a gal can totally get away with wearing a dress in the woods)
Accessories can be added like hats, scarves, jackets, shirts, jewelry, belts etc. Don’t wear a hat to the session to avoid hat hair, but if you have a hat you like bring it along.
Glasses. If possible see your optometrist about loaning you a pair without lenses, or have your lenses removed. If this is not possible, I will do my best to avoid lens glare, but it may be in some photos. If you are comfortable we may also take some photos with your glasses off.
Avoid horizontal stripes, loud patterns, shirts with writing or big logos, visible bra straps and hair ties on wrists.
Tip 6
Props, Props, Props
Props are a really good way to show who you are and what you love. Here are just a few ideas of what you could include.
Sports
Bat, balls, glove, helmet, shoes, rackets, hockey stick, pom poms, baton, uniforms, trophies, medals etc.
Music
Instrument or an accessory of the instrument like drum sticks, sheet music etc.
Miscellaneous
Books, earphones, class ring, letter jacket, helmet, bike, car, pet, uniform if you are joining the army or volunteer firefighter etc.
Anything that tells your story is a good prop!
Tip 7
Bring a Friend
Bringing a friend or family member along is fun and can help you relax. Plus, that person will most likely get to be in some pictures with you, bonus!
**Bonus Tip**
Relax and have fun while I guide you through easy poses that help you look your best!
If you have any questions or ideas I would love to hear from you. You can text, email, call, message, or send a carrier pigeon to communicate with me…Well, maybe not that last one. If you would like me to start a Pinterest board for you to share YOUR ideas with me let me know!