Planning Your Senior’s Portraits - Schedule your Senior Portraits NOW!
Yes, it’s only June and your Junior is barely a Senior and I’m already bringing up Senior Portraits. Yup, this is the right time. Nope, I promise it isn’t too soon.
The Senior year is full of so many changes and events that we get to look forward to. From parties and celebrations, to testing and college applications. Let’s make this part the easiest of them all.
What to expect with a Senior photo session
Have you started seeing photographers around town taking photos yet? I saw one just the other day at the Center for Performing Arts downtown. You might be wondering how it all gets planned out.
First off, it’s important to sit down and have a conversation with your burgeoning adult. Ask them a few questions, like:
Are there any locations that you feel really resonate with who you are? (Denver Center of Performing Arts, local skate park, graffitied wall downtown, a lake, mountain area, etc…)
What props do you want to have in the pictures with you? (Instrument, car, dance outfit, skateboard, sports equipment, etc…)
What do you dream about doing as a career or for travel? Can we incorporate that into this?
What favorite outfits do you think fit really well and you’d like to use?
If you don’t like some of the answers that you get, remember these are pieces of who your child is. Can you compromise on some points? Are they open to you getting to choose a few outfits for consideration? Or if the skatepark isn’t your favorite option, what is it like to go there early in the day when it’s less busy and the light is better for some really great shots?
Tell me about the locations you’re both considering and we can talk about what time of day is best. Then you can go and check them out to see if it’s the background you both would want. Nothing busy is best, we want to keep this about them.
Once you have these questions ironed out, remember that you can bring as many outfits that you’d like and we can go through them at the location if necessary. Think about how your grad will be changing their clothes between shots, and consider that as well when thinking about locations and clothing.
Preparation for your Senior Portraits
It’s the night before your big day. We have our time set up, the locations are mapped out (either in the studio or on location), and now you’re making sure each outfit is ready to go. Does anything need to be ironed? Are there any new stains or random threads pulling?
If we’re doing early morning, make sure your teen gets enough sleep the night before. Most kids this age prefer sleeping in, so hopefully they’re prepared for the time that was chosen. Hydration is also key. It helps to keep their skin full and eyes fresh.
These are a few common questions/topics people ask before their Senior Portraits:
Hair
Yes, a fresh do is great to have. Get it cut the week prior to the shoot. It gives the hair a chance to settle and your kid gets comfortable in styling it. If you’re doing any highlights or color, a minimum of a week prior helps to get the color stable as well.
If there’s any shaving going on, make sure that personal grooming is done the night before as well so they’re ready to go and no nicks or cuts are bleeding out!
Make-Up or Stylist
If you want to bring a pro stylist, I’m ok with that. Let me know beforehand. If your senior isn’t used to wearing a lot of make-up, then don’t get a lot done. Having some basics in place help to smooth the skin tone and bring out features that might otherwise get washed out in the photograph. We can also do touch-ups after the photos have been taken if we need to.
Friends Along or Not
If the friend is a great moral support, why not book them at the same time and do a tandem shoot? This helps to elevate mood for both of them and you get twice the creativity and authenticity to shine through. If the friend creates anxiety or your teen always wants to be “like them” then pass on bringing them along. Who shows up can make or break a shoot if anyone is nervous to get their pictures taken.
Outfits
You’ll want to avoid bright colors or glaring patterns. These things, as well as big jewelry tend to pull the eyes off the person who is being highlighted. These pictures are intended to celebrate the senior, not a brand name, trendy styles, or lots of bling. Consider this when picking out clothes.
Also, they’ll want to be able to move the way they do every day. Which means to also avoid things that are tight or restrictive and may rub or leave marks. This is also a chance to show creativity. If there’s something that we can do together to build a beautiful picture that is out of the ordinary, share it with me and we can discuss how it will turn out in a picture.
Consider time and location when planning out the outfits. Girls might want to have a camisole that goes under everything if they may be changing outside. You could also pack two flat sheets, and we can hold them up as a mock changing room. Make this as easy as possible.
Props
We talked a little about this above and it’s worth mentioning again. If you choose an outfit that needs props, make sure they’re packed! Cleats, soccer balls, ballet slippers, or anything else are the parts that pull the picture together. For artists, consider making themselves the portrait (glitter, glue on gems, etc…), or being photographed in front of an inspirational or personal mural. Those are also props that can be considered.
Make sure props are CLEAN. You don’t want a scuffed up soccer ball, or well used paint brushes that divert attention.
What’s typically forgotten or overlooked?
Ooh, the fingernails!! Make sure if they like them painted, it’s a fresh coat with no chips.
Sunburned from spending time at the pool the day before? Let’s avoid that and make sure there’s enough sunscreen on before we meet. Also, make sure tan lines aren’t showing up with that strapless top if you don’t want them to be glaringly obvious.
YEARBOOK DEADLINE - yup, that will be important to know, especially if we’re doing any edits.
A touch-up bag is nice to have that includes any make-up needed, make-up remover wipes that work on clothes, brush or comb, water and snacks, their favorite music if they need something to listen to and elevate their mood.
Underwear. This is real. Students will be positioned from kneeling, lying, or standing. You want to make sure clothes fit properly, and no underwear is showing.
A fun attitude. This doesn’t have to be serious!! Remember, even if you forget something, or the dog got anxious and peed in the outfit bag, we can work with it!! Life has a way of working out and it works out much better when we can laugh together.
Book It NOW!!
I can’t emphasize this enough. You’ll want to have the time to prepare and make sure everything is in place for this shoot. Give us enough time to talk about locations and ideas so your student feels like they’re getting the best representation of themselves in this session.
Send me an email with “Senior Portrait” in the subject line and we’ll schedule a call ASAP!! If you book your session before 8/1/2021 my SENIOR SPECIAL is $75 off a family photo session OR ONE FREE 8x10 print, so email me now!
My Senior Packages start at $300. This includes proofing, digital skin touch ups, 25 digital images, the yearbook submission image (usually those have to be specifically cropped or a certain size). Prints, canvas, and keepsake items are additional, and those come with an individualized meeting to choose your items. I also design graduation and party announcements and have special pricing for print products.
I look forward to working with your high school senior and getting so many memorable shots you can’t decide between them all!!
Cheers!
~Kim
This peek into Kim’s world was brought to you by Emily Kamala. Emily is a freelance writer and life coach who loves to share stories, write blogs, and experience life so fully she has to bring it to life on the page. If you’re interested in reading more of her work, you can visit: ConsciousLivingLLC.com
Kim Morgan has brought her passion for connecting and telling stories through photography to life. Her ability to put you and your family at ease is so palpable you don’t even realize she’s behind the camera getting those precious moments for you to carry with you many years later. She lives in Colorado with her husband, son, and dog, where they enjoy exploring the mountains and laughing at every opportunity. Her website is KWDesignsPhotography.com to see her amazing work and set up your session!