How to Prepare for a Great Senior Portrait Session

As a family photographer in the Redmond, Woodinville and greater Seattle area, there are so many things that I can advise you on preparing your student for a great senior photo session! It is more than just what they wear and picking the right location, but those things really matter too! So let’s explore how we can set your senior up for the best senior portrait session we can.

Consider Emotions

It is really important to think about how your senior feels about senior photos. Some students are completely excited about it and can’t wait to show off their unique personality; others are only doing their session because their parents want them to do it. Either way, your photographer should know what state of mind your senior has about this process before your session. Why? It allows your photographer to meet your student where they are at. It is super annoying to show up at a meeting that you aren’t excited about with an over-bubbly presenter, right? Same would go for your senior if the photographer shows up all excited and your student is a bit like Eeyore.

How you can help prepare your photographer

Your photographer should try to engage your senior in conversation to help relax them, connect with them and ease any tension that your student may feel. I send a questionnaire to families asking what your senior likes and what is important to them. This is the time to share any and all things you know they like. Even if it is a childhood favorite, it might help us crack a smile. What foods do they like? Favorite bands? What does your student chat about with you on the weekends? Did you have an epic summer holiday that the photographer can ask about? Anything that the photographer can talk about for a few minutes will help get your student to forget that they are in front of a camera.

Seattle Senior Portrait at Richmond Saltwater Beach

If you are hanging out with me during a session, you will notice that I let the senior talk and talk if they strike a subject they are excited about. I wait until they finish their story. Why? Because that is when they smile their genuine smile. That is when I take the picture. :-) So sharing something that can get your student talking for a bit is super helpful!

Also share with your photographer anything that might be a trigger. Did grandma pass away last month? Please tell us. It sounds silly, but we don’t want to accidentally mention getting photos for grandma’s mantle only to trigger tears. Does your student struggle with anxiety? Tell us. We need to approach your student with extra care. You want amazing photos of your senior being light-hearted, so tell us of any emotional landmines we might stumble upon so that we can make sure to keep the mood positive.

Sharing Your Senior’s Interests with your photographer allows the photographer to connect quicker and therefore get better photos of your senior.

Preparing the Outfit

Many photographers will let your student have a couple outfits during the session. There is a secret reason for this, but don’t worry - I will let you in on it! As photographers, we have to walk the line between keeping your senior happy and you pleased with the photos. So, we let you have two outfits: One outfit that you like on your senior, and one that your senior likes and feels confident in.

My suggestion is start the session with the outfit that your senior feels most confident in. It will allow them to relax the most and get their personality shining sooner. Then, about ⅔ through the session, we will switch to your favorite outfit. By then, hopefully trust has been built between your senior and the photographer and we will get more genuine photos faster than the first portion of the session.

Outfit details to consider

Wrinkles: If your student’s outfit wrinkles easily, consider having them change into it once you arrive at the session. Sitting in the car with the seatbelt across the lap might cause wrinkles that we just don’t want (they will not be edited out by most photographers - it is a very challenging thing to do).

Pet Fur: Do you have a fluffy pet at home that leaves hair all over your clothing? If so, please bring a lint roller to the session so we can make sure your photos are fur free!

Glasses: Does your senior have transition glasses? If you are doing outdoor photos, those will turn to their sunglass mode and we won’t be able to see their eyes. Consider doing indoor photos (either in your home, airbnb, or studio) or order a non transition pair for little on Zenni.com. Also, please make sure they are clean! Dust and smudges do show up in photos.

Cleavage: If your daughter decides to wear a lower-cut shirt, just consider that some photographers do leaning photos or photos from an upper angle and we may catch more cleavage in our frame than you expect. Just a word of warning!

Embracing Their Interests

Does your student play water polo? Great! Bring the ball and a towel… we’ll get in the water an embrace it!
Does your senior play trumpet? Bring it! We’ll get some unique shots of them playing their instrument.
Is your senior a cosplay type of person? D&D? No problem! Bring the outfit, bring the dice, we will find ways to use those things to highlight their personality.
When your senior feels seen for what they like to engage in, their attitude toward the photo session will be so much more positive!

Location

Many photographers have set locations that they capture photos at. There is absolutely a reason for this: They know the lighting and they know that your student will look good in the photos because they know the lighting. If you have a photographer that lists specific options for parks, consider that this is how they feel they can provide the highest quality of images for you.

Then there are other photographers, like me, that want your senior to be comfortable. I do have locations that I love the lighting at and know inside and out, but to me, you are going to be more concerned about how your student’s personality shows in the photos and less about how technically accurate the photo lighting is. I will work with you to find a spot where your student is most likely to relax and then I will make sure that we take photos where the light is best at that location.

Some unique locations I have done photos at include, libraries, family homes, camp locations that meant a lot to the senior, etc. With any unique location, we just need to make sure we have the property owner’s permission to be there. Libraries are public, so there are no restrictions there (other than being quiet), Restaurants, wineries, coffee houses all require approval from that venue though.

Senior embracing her heritage during her senior portrait session.

Where should the parents be during the session?

Be sure to ask your senior if they want you around for their photos. Some seniors want parents nearby, others will be more tense if their parental figures are near. Consider asking a friend to join them for their photos if they don’t want you (their parent) around for the photo session. A friend may get your teen to relax more than you could during the session. I have also been known to offer dual senior sessions where I capture senior photos for both teens at the same time.

Finally, consider safety… if you have a teenage daughter, please think about how comfortable you are leaving them alone with the photographer. Double check the photographer’s reviews and be sure that they are reputable so that you feel confident that nothing untoward would happen. I absolutely hate having to say this, but I do want everyone safe and secure.

I told you there was a lot to think about before a senior portrait session! Your photographer may have other specific things that they want to share with you, but this information should give you a great idea of how to set your senior up for a great photo session.

Are you ready to book your senior’s portrait session? Great! Click the button below to get in touch with me and we will get you on my calendar! Want to see more of type the senior portraits I capture? Click Here!