Looking for Unique Senior Pictures? Wanting to see the best ideas for senior picture outfits? or the best tips for posing?
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Senior Pictures
Through my years of photography experience I’ve learned so so soooo many fun things and so I want to give you all of the senior photography tips... and the amazing ideas and unique pictures that you can take with both senior guys and senior girls!
Seniors are soooo much fun – and if you are a senior here today reading this I can pinky promise you’ll get all of the information you need to be confident when posing for your senior pictures as well as getting the BEST tips on what to wear or props to bring along for amazing senior portraits!
So here we go! I’ve got so much to share…I’m so excited! I want you to be fully prepared so here we go, buckle up because I’ve got a lot to share with you!
How do I prepare for senior pictures?
I’m glad you asked! Here are a few tips to consider when preparing for your senior pictures. Once you’ve set up a senior session with your photographer you’ll be able to gather ideas of outfits and locations with him/her. You maybe using their props or needing to provide your own props (if you are wanting to include those). Discuss the details of time frame, meet- up, first outfit etc with your photographer ahead of time. Once that is set in place you’ll want to do a few things the day or even week before your session. Here are a few tips. iron your clothes, hang them all up on hangers the night before! Gather up your props and clean them if they are dusty! Girls, paint your nails the night before and wear chapstick the whole we before – I promise you don’t want dry peely lips with lipstick on…not flattering!
Once that is set in place you’ll want to do a few things the day or even week before your session. Here are a few tips. Be sure to iron all of your clothes and hang them all up on hangers the night before! Gather up your props and clean them if they are dusty! Girls, paint your nails the night before and wear chapstick the whole we before – I promise you don’t want dry peeling lips topped with lipstick…can we say so not flattering!!!
How many outfits do you need for senior pictures?
I’m going to be honest…that’s entirely up to YOU! I would say at the minimum 2 and honestly I’ve had girls and guys do up to 6 outfit changes, but after about change 4 you’re over it! If you are wanting more than about 4 outfits I’d suggest splitting up your session and doing 3 outfits in the fall and 3 outfits in the spring. This way your looks are entirely fitting to the season plus gives you a great change and variety in your pictures!
Probably one of the most popular questions I get asked is What do I wear? What colors photograph the best?
Oh I’ve got some great tips on this question! Here are some basic tips…
- Truly you want colors and outfits that photograph well. Did you know that not all colors photograph well…like neon colors – they just don’t…and white – too much white just doesn’t photograph well.
- Match your Personality
- Dress for the Season
- Don’t go with what is in style
- Bring options
- Get a new outfit
- Be Quirky
- Add depth and flair…and I love the last two
- Wear a Tank top (girls)
- Watch your tan lines!
So if you are looking for even more specific tips on what to wear I’ve got it all for you! Click the links below…
- Fall Outfits for Senior Pictures – Fall is a beautiful time for pictures with all of the colors in nature – plus who doesn’t love layers and texture – scarves and hats! This makes some really fun additional pieces to your outfits to show off your personality!
- What to Wear for Senior Pictures – Not only through this article will you get some great tips you’ll also see some great color and outfit combinations that are absolutely stunning and will probably spark some creativity in your planning for clothes!
- Guys – What to Wear for Senior Pictures – Specifically guys, let’s talk about changing up your outfits a little so they aren’t all casual or look the same! These tips will please you, mama and your grandmother – you know what I mean?
- Girls – What to Wear for Senior Pictures – We say girls are easy…not always…we can be some of the most picky humans on the face of the planet! One of the biggest tips from this article is if you don’t like the outfit – simply don’t wear it! I know that sounds ridiculous – but I can’t tell you how many seniors I’ve taken pictures of that they put an outfit on and tell me it’s really not their favorite…I promise you you’ll not like the outfit any better in the pictures!!!
- I told you I had a lot on this subject…so if you need a little bit more inspiration- here it is! As I mentioned earlier not all colors and clothes look good in photographs…Choose an outfit that is your Style but kick it up a notch! Be sure to Change up the Look, add accessories and don’t wear all white! I’m talking more in depth on these tips over on this blog post –> Senior Picture Outfit Ideas
Senior Picture Props
Now that you’ve gotten the answers and some help on what to wear for your pictures…let’s talk about adding some props to your portraits. If you don’t want any props – just skip over this section. If you do want to include some sports or band props – these reads are a MUST! Let’s not get too cheesy with your props…O.K.?!?!
- Senior Portrait Prop Ideas – You’ve probably been combing through Pinterest and found some really cute ideas…just remember the cute idea may not be “you”…then again it maybe! I suggest showing your ideas to your senior photographer only for inspiration. Don’t ask that photographer to copy the picture exactly, just mention you like the prop (or pose) and give it a try. Your pictures will be totally different than the girl/guy on Pinterest – but that’s ok…be you, incorporate YOU and don’t copy others!
- Incorporate Hobbies into your Senior Session – using your hobbies is a great way to incorporate props into your pictures. Why? Well it’s a unique prop to you, tells a little story about this season of life and creates great memories around your years in high school. Hobbies could be sports, band, painting, art, reading, outside activities, baking etc. Get creative with incorporating these as a “prop” into your portraits.
Ideas for props could include:
- Books
- Art
- Drawing/Painting
- Golf Clubs
- Baseball Gear
- Football Gear
- Basketball Gear/Uniform
- Soccer Gear
- Any sport you play!
- Dance uniforms/outfits
- Cheerleading uniform/accessories
- Sports Car
- Truck
- Flowers
- Cupcakes
- Balloons
- Band Instrument
- Sunglasses
- Hat/s
- Animals
- Pets
- Prom Dress
- School Dance Dress/Suit
- Chair
- Couch
- College (where you are headed) t shirt
Ok – we’ve taken care of your outfits – hopefully they’ve been chosen and ready…props – well we’ve talked about those if that interests you…now onto posing! I think every human likes tips on posing to look ever better in pictures, am I right? or am I just speaking for myself? Guys…Girls…I’ve got you both fully covered!
- Ultimate Girls Senior Photography Posing Guide
- Free Senior Guys Posing Guide and Tips
- Senior Picture Ideas for Guys
Want to print out a posing guide? Might want to study it, practice and see what poses you feel comfy with or like! Here is a Senior Photography Posing Guide for both guys and girls!
When is the best time to take senior pictures?
Well the most popular month and busiest month for photographers is in September. Does that mean you HAVE to do it then, certainly not but remember you’ll need to work out your own time line and deadlines. As the senior year progresses you may have to submit images for a senior slideshow, images for invitations and announcements…prints for wallets to be included in announcements – consider the time your photographer needs to edit and turn your images around. Just get a pen and paper and write out your time line so you aren’t hard pressed to get your images you’ll need for different events throughout the year!
If you are planning a September or fall session here is a Fall Guide for Senior pictures.
Where can you get senior pictures taken?
There are so many great locations in every town/city to take senior portraits. If you are working with a professional photographer they will have awesome ideas – so collaborate and talk together with them to discuss locations and the vibe you like. Many times they know all of the little small “hidden gems” around!
If you are taking your own senior pictures and are looking for location inspiration here are some ideas to consider when scoping out locations.
Places for Senior Pictures
- Indoors
- A pretty backyard
- A field
- Brick Wall
- Wood building
- Hotel lobby
- City building
- Parks
- Green space
- Porches
- Inside a cute cafe or coffee shop
- Downtown areas/streets
- Fences
- Barns
- A home
- Side walks
- Train station
- Cool/Colorful wall
- Gazebo/Pergola
- Woodsy area
- High school field/stadium etc.
Prom Photography Tips
Chances are you are headed to prom this year…I just wanted to add these tips in as a bonus for you – you might even send this read to your mom/aunt/friends mom who would have the camera in hand for prom pictures! Who would buy a fancy dress or put a tuxedo on and not document the moment?! Grab your camera and take prom pictures! Here are a few basic tips…
Where to take prom pictures – outside ideas as well as indoor ideas, poses for single, couples and groups – and even some lighting tips, as you’ll want to take these pictures before prom which means it will be harsh sunlight (most likely unless you find some great open shade!) Read more HERE...
How much do senior pictures cost?
Well this can be so open ended…so many variables and moving pieces can create the value around senior portraits. It could be a shoot and burn photographer or a high end studio photographer. But…Senior pictures can cost anywhere from $100 to $10,000 and the price on the invoice is as varied as the time, talent, and business model of the photographer you are working with. Variables can include demographics, the demand of the photographer, the skill and time of the photographer, what is included in your senior portrait picture package and the list can go on!
Why do you get to the last year of school and the pictures are so expensive?! Senior portraits are expensive because it’s a once in a lifetime event that requires more work from the photographer than regular school portraits. Normal school photos the children are lined up and spend no more than a few minutes in front of the camera. The pictures are all processed the same with no retouching. One outfit, in front of a screen, smile and go on…that’s not the mentality of a senior portrait photographer!
Sports Senior Pictures
If you are athletic and have played sports in high school – I think you’ll definitely want to incorporate these pictures into your senior portraits. I mentioned them above in the props ideas…but I encourage you to go a little further with your sports pictures.
Go to the field, in your uniform – do some still shots and some action shots. Go to your high school locker room, gymnasium, fields or stadiums. Make good use of these locations and props to incorporate into one of your senior outfits when deciding what to wear!
If you aren’t into using your uniform or the field you can incorporate pieces of that sport into casual senior pictures like the image above. The senior is in her letterman jacket with her soccer ball and cleats.
If sports were a huge part of your high school years capture this season and memories – you’ll not regret it! Learn more of our tips for –> sports senior pictures!
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