How to Prep for Your First Senior Photo Session

Have you ever considered getting senior pictures? Are you an incoming senior who’s overwhelmed by the whole process of senior year Are you always seeing Instagram posts with senior girls perfectly posed thinking they have it all together? Don’t worry! Taking senior photos is not as scary as it can seem.

Here’s what you need to know as an incoming senior before you book your first session!

Senior photos should be fun! They are a celebration of your achievements and meant to highlight you as a person. Senior photos can be done however you want them and you can take as little or as many photos as you want! There’s no “perfect” way to do them but here are few key pointers to take the stress out of photo day.

You don’t have to have everything planned out! Your photographer will help you out! Just come with a loose idea of what you want, and if you’re set on an outfit, background, or time, make sure that is clear to your photographer.

Pick outfits that feel like YOU! A photoshoot that doesn’t reflect your personality won’t project confidence.

You don’t have to have a hair or makeup artist to get good pictures! There is no requirement for this, rather that you feel comfortable in front of the camera however you’re dressed.

Senior photos are not the time to try a new look- go with what you know.

Book at LEAST two sessions! If you don’t like the way your first session turned out, booking two will give you a chance to get photos you like better to use for your school’s yearbook or to go on your mom’s wall at home. Trust me, you’ll want more than one chance!

Many seniors choose to have one photoshoot per season, to get different outfits and atmosphere. This isn’t required but many photographers will sell packages that include 4 sessions which can be very useful!

Hire a photographer you know, or one that comes highly recommended by people you know! This helps make it less awkward- if you’re worried about that.

My senior year, I booked two sessions with two different photographers. My mom contacted a friend of hers and we did a photoshoot the summer before my senior year. We hired a makeup artist that the photographer knew and honestly- I hated it. I didn’t feel like myself at all and even though the makeup artist was good at her job, I felt too tan and yellow for the pictures. The photos also proved to be overly edited, and no one I showed them to thought they looked good. I did a second photoshoot in November with my aunt. I wore three different outfits and went around the city for these photos. This time, I chose to do my own hair and makeup. They turned out amazing and I could not have been happier!

No matter what you decide to do with your senior session, remember that it is about YOU celebrating your senior year! Make the most of it!