how to prep
SENIOR/GRAD
Deciding how to prep for your senior shoot can be hard, so in this post I'm going to give tips + tricks regarding what to wear, hair and makeup, and more! This is what we'll cover specifically:
1. CHOOSING OUTFITS - Being comfortable, expressing yourself, accessorizing (my favorite part), adding layers, playing with texture and patterns, adding variety, and planning ahead.
2. HAIR AND MAKEUP- Hiring a professional, nails, and on-site touch ups.
3. EXTRAS - Props, locations, important people, and pets (horses count too!).
CHOOSING OUTFITS
One of the questions I get asked the most, is "what should I wear to my senior shoot?" This is an awesome question because what you wear is SUCH an important aspect of your session. It can make or break your seniors, which might sound exaggerated, but it's true! If you accidentally wear something that is unflattering on camera or something you don't feel good in, it could affect how much you like your pictures. Along with your Pinterest senior styling inspiration board, here are some tips I have learned throughout the years to help guide you through your wardrobe choices.
1. BE COMFORTABLE
My number one reccommendation is to wear something you KNOW you look good in. This might seem obvious, but for me at least, there have been so many times where I have envisioned something looking a certain way, only to realize it just doesn't work for me! If you aren't 100% confident or think that you'll be constantly adjusting your outfit and questioning whether you look good, leave the item at home! Being uncomfortable will SHOW in your pictures and make you uneasy throughout the shoot, trust me.
2. EXPRESS YOURSELF
I feel so passionately about this! Seniors who express themselves are my favorite to photograph! Their shoots have the "wow" factor and set them apart. Let your outfits express who you are, what you like, and your personality. If you love vintage clothes, incorporate something vintage! If you are interested in high fashion, wear something high fashion during your shoot! Don't be afraid to be BOLD and wear something you wouldn't normally wear in day-to-day life or at school. Your senior shoot is all about capturing who and where you are in life at this moment - so wear something that goes along with that.
3. ACCESSORIZE (MY FAVORITE ON THE LIST)
Accessories are SO important. They really complete your look and can be the aspect that gives your shoot a "wow" factor. Adding things like dangle earrings, long necklaces, statement necklaces, bracelets, rings, floppy hats, flower crowns, headbands, and scarves make ALL the difference. In the colder months, cute hats, scarves, and gloves look awesome!! Also, don't be afraid to over accessorize! You can always take things off, and it's better to have more, than enough. Don't forget about shoes! They really bring your whole outfit together, so think carefully about what you're wearing on your feet.
4. ADD VARIETY
Make sure you bring a VARIETY of looks! As a guide, I tell all my seniors to choose from these categories:
1. Cocktail dress or semi-dressy outfit
2. Casual/comfy look
3. Sports Uniform or outfit that represents your hobby
4. Preppy/Chic look
5. Edgy or urban look
6. An outfit representing your future college
I recommend choosing anywhere from 2-4 of these categories and find outfits accordingly. This creates a beautiful array of looks that are completely different! This is just what I provide as a guide, but you can wear anything you want! Some of my seniors have wanted all casual looks, and they have turned out AMAZINGGG - so it really just depends on who you are and what you're going for.
5. PLAN AHEAD
Planning your outfits ahead alleviates stress and gives you the reassurance that you are going to look your BEST. Also, if you end up needing to make last-minute changes, you can! Go shopping and get your outfits together a week or two ahead of time so you don't feel rushed as your session draws closer. I've had a few seniors wait until the day of or night before, and they end up going into their shoot stressed, tired, and sometimes insecure that they don't look their best...which is not what you want!! If you can avoid this, then why not?!
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Getting your hair and makeup done by a professional makes a HUGE difference! If you are investing in photography which can be expensive, why not take this advantage of this experience to pamper yourself and get the BEST photos while you're add it.
1. HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
They know what they're doing. Just when you hire a professional photographer, you trust him/her to make you look your absolute best! It's the same with Hair and Makeup artists - they are TRAINED to know what looks good on camera.
It's less stressful. Getting ready for your senior shoot is already stressfull enough, getting your hair and makeup professionally done gives yo less to wory about.
It will relieve any nervousness you have and make you feel confident about how you look, and this confidence will show in your pictures. If you come feeling good, pampered, and taken care of, your photos and your senior shoot experience will be much better.
BUT.... If hair and makeup isn't in the budget, that's totally ok too! If this is the case, I recommend putting on makeup a little heavier than normal, including blush and lipstick/gloss that is at least slightly darker than your lip color. Lip color makes a HUGE difference in your photos. You can still look natural while adding lip color if you're worried about that! I also highly recommend false eyelashes. These small details make a BIG difference.
2. DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE NAILS
Painting your nails can often be forgotten in the bustle of getting ready for your seniors, but make sure you don't neglect them! During the shoot, there will be a lot of poses with your hands in the frame, so make sure they look how you want! I recommend avoiding any chipped polish or crazy patterns. Keep them light and natural! French manicures, or soft colors. Keep in mind, if you wear a bright color on your nails, to make sure they are not clashing with your outfits.
3. ON SITE TOUCH UPS
Be sure to bring a hair brush, extra makeup, and a small mirror to the shoot for touch ups! We'll be moving around a lot, and you want to have touch ups on hand just in case! It's better to be prepared than not all!
2. LOCATIONS
When it comes to location, you want to ask yourself what kind of setting you want to take your photos in. Do you want an urban, rural, farm, or natural (nature) setting. Locations are also another awesome way to make your senior shoot more personal and meaningful. Is there a favorite restaurant or coffee shop you go to often? If so, we can try to go there. I'm up for anything. The more creative the better!
If you haven't already received my list of recommended locations, let me know!
3. PETS
A lot of seniors ask me if they can bring their pets to their shoot... and the answer is YES! Whether it is your pup, cat... or HORSE! We can totally incorporate him/her into your session! I don't recommend shooting the entire session with them, but spending a few minutes with them is a great idea!
EXTRAS
1. PROPS
I LOVE when my seniors bring props. They make your session SO much more fun, personal, and meaningful to you! If there is something you love, whether it be singing, a sport, certain foods, reading, art, a tv show, or something else, we can use props to incorporate it! If you love Starbucks, bring a Starbucks cup! If you love dancing, bring a dance outfit! If you love playing the trumpet, bring your trumpet! The possibilities are endless!
