Photography is Poetry

WHAT TO WEAR

Choosing what to wear for your Senior Session is a big decision, so please take the time to plan your outfits in advance and make sure they fit, and are comfortable and attractive. I suggest putting on a little fashion show for a trusted family member or friend beforehand and ask them if the outfits you’ve chosen are flattering and tasteful. This will help you feel confident in your choices when we’re shooting! You are always welcome to snap photos & share your outfits with me in advance for feedback, or feel free to bring extra outfits to the session and we can make choices there. Most seniors bring between 2-4 outfits to the session. You might not wear them all, but it’s nice to have options on hand.

Style & Colors

• Bring a variety of outfits that show off your personality– something casual/cozy, something you would wear when going out with friends, & something fun and/or dressy. Outfits with pops of color photograph well. Whites, grays, tans, creams & beiges tend to wash out in individual portraits. Think of colors that go well with your skin & hair color. Avoid stripes, plaids, words/sayings, and other overly busy patterns that will pull attention away from your face.
• Make sure all your clothes are free of wrinkles, holes, stains, tags, etc. Additional retouching fees will be applied to fix these issues. I suggest driving to the session in something comfortable and putting on the first outfit when you arrive. Bring all outfits on hangers!

Layers & Accessories

• An easy way to add variety to your gallery is to dress in layers. This helps create dimension and gives us some fun posing options. Adding a sweater or scarf, or changing up jewelry is a great way to get different looks without spending a ton of time changing. In the warmer months, bring both a pair of shorts and pants to go with one top, to get 2 different looks.
• Don’t forget accessories! Jewelry should compliment your outfit, but not take it over completely. A statement piece with a simple outfit is great for one look, but don’t plan to wear it the entire session. For quick use, I recommend placing jewelry in plastic Ziploc baggies and hanging them on the hanger with the appropriate outfit.

Shoes

• Don’t let shoes be an afterthought! We will be taking a lot of full-body shots, so make sure your shoes are clean and complement your outfits. Shoes and boots with a bit of a heel/wedge are recommended, but flats & sandals may be worn with more casual outfits. I definitely recommend that you leave your flip flops at home. I know they are an everyday staple in the summer, but they are awkward-looking in photos and you will regret wearing them when they end up ruining an otherwise stunning shot!

We will do a variety of poses throughout the session– some standing, some sitting, leaning, etc. Make sure you can move freely in your clothes and that you aren’t worried about what may or may not be showing.

HAIR, MAKE-UP, NAILS, & SKIN

After you’ve chosen your outfits, it’s time to think about how you will wear your hair & make-up. This is equally as important as your outfit choices. Whether you wear your hair straight, curly, up, or down, don’t wait until the day-of to decide!

• Schedule haircuts and/or coloring at least 1-2 weeks in advance of your session so there aren’t any unwelcome surprises (or give yourself time to fall in love with your new ‘do)! Eyebrow and other facial waxing should be done 24-48 hours in advance to prevent redness and bumps.
• Professional hair & make-up is not required, but definitely has its benefits. A professional Hair & Make Up Artist is trained to conceal and contour, as well as pick colors that best compliment your skin & hair tones. They know the right amount of make-up to apply so that it will be visible on camera. They also alleviate a lot of stress & it feels great to be pampered! If this is something you can afford and are comfortable doing, I highly recommend it!
• If you are planning to do your own make-up, please apply a little more blush than you normally would, but don’t go overboard. And remember, this is not the time to try out the smokey eye if you’ve never done it before! Shimmer eyeshadow is ok, but please no glitter. Be sure to bring make-up with you to the session, so you can re-apply as needed. Face/pressed powder is nice to have on hand if it’s warm out, to help tone down shine. I do not bring any make up with me to the session.
• Please be sure your nails are well-manicured. If you don’t like to wear nail polish, that’s okay, just make sure they are clean & cut. If you do wear nail polish, make sure you choose a timeless color that will go well with all of your outfits. And don’t forget those toes if you have open-toed shoes!
• Be careful when being out in the sun in the weeks leading up to your session. Be aware of tan lines, especially from straps on your shoulders. If you have them, don’t worry, just be sure to pick out outfits that hide them.
• Do not freak out about blemishes, scars, or other skin issues! We will discuss retouching after the session and you can let me know what you want me to keep in the photo and what you’d like me to touch up. Do NOT try to overcompensate with make up as this will cause bigger issues.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME

Give yourself ample time to get ready and make your way to the session location. If you think you’ll need 2 hours total, give yourself 3. Make this a fun experience and enjoy every minute of getting ready. You only take Senior Portraits once in your life! Don’t try to cram it all into an hour and stress yourself out (and get all sweaty and irritated).

NO PRESSURE

Even though we’ve talked about the importance of clothing, hair, make up, etc., I still want you to have a great time. Once you arrive at the session, all the hard stuff is done. Now it’s time to enjoy yourself! Don’t try to “model”. Talk with me, laugh with me. Just be yourself. I will do my best to make you as comfortable in front of the camera as possible, but take the pressure off yourself to look a certain way and just relax. You don’t want your photos to look exactly like anyone else’s anyway, you want them to be uniquely yours!

PARENTS & FRIENDS

Please remember that a parent must accompany any minors to the session and be present the entire time. If you have a good friend that will help bring out the best in you, but won’t be a distraction, please feel free to bring them along too!

AFTER YOUR SESSION

You will receive your photos approximately 3 weeks after your session. After your session is finished, I will e-mail you a link so that you may track the progress of your session, and when your photos will be ready.

I do not deliver every image taken during the session, instead I choose the best photos (where no one is blinking or looking away) and hand edit each one. My editing is an art form that I take very seriously to ensure that you have gorgeous photos to cherish, and I want to make sure your photos look beautiful, so I like to take my time with each and every photo during the editing process. When I am finished editing, you will be e-mailed a private link to your gallery where you can download, share, and print your photos. Your gallery will be available for 30 days, so please be sure to choose your photos within that time frame.

Depending on which package you have chosen, you will have a certain number of digital images included. However, you do have the option to purchase additional digital images if you would like. Pricing is as follows: Individual digital image(s)- $25 per additional image, $75 for 5 additional images, or if you decide to purchase the entire gallery, you will receive a discount of 35% off the remainder of the gallery! 

FINAL NOTES

Please arrive on time: Your session is timed for optimal sunlight & to fit in my schedule and I cannot guarantee that we can go past our allotted time, so please arrive at least 5 minutes before we are due to begin. 

Cancellations: Except for emergencies, cancellations must be 24 hours or more before your session in order to reschedule without losing your deposit. I’ve blocked out that time for you, so please do your best to make it.

Accepted methods of payment: At this time I accept Cash, Venmo, & PayPal.

Lastly, I can’t wait for our session together! Hopefully you found this information helpful. If you have any questions or concerns leading up to your session, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. My goal is to serve you the best that I can! This is going to be a fun session, so don’t stress. See you soon, and please don't hesitate to contact me if you still have questions!