SENIOR'S PREP SESSION GUIDE
I put together this session prep guide to help you plan for your Senior session!
It's always helpful to be prepared and look your best that day, and with so much to think about already,
I wanted to help take the guessing out of the getting ready!
THE DAY OF YOUR PHOTOSHOOT
When you arrive at the studio, go ahead and bring all your outfits and everything inside! Before we shoot your first outfit in-studio, we'll confirm our 'game plan' for the day to make sure we haven't forgotten anything, to gather props and other items from the studio, and to make sure that we use our time wisely for all the "who's, what's, when's, and where's" of the day!
Don’t forget to eat something and drink lots of water the day before. And a good night’s sleep will ensure you are refreshed for your photoshoot.
CLOTHING & STYLE
BRING A VARIETY OF CLOTHING
Try to include clothes for different seasons. Don't think that just because it's Summer you can't bring a great Winter sweater! And definitely try on all your outfits before your session so you know everything fits right.
SOLID COLORS ARE ALWAYS A GOOD CHOICE
Remember that darker, earthy colors will show your face off the best - especially in the studio. Bright colors are fun and can bring a lot of life and fun to your images. I don't mind patterns, but consider that the bigger the pattern, the harder to match with backgrounds and they're more distracting, so naturally they take away from your amazing face!
YOUR OUTFITS NEED TO BE YOUR STYLE
It's good to bring different types of clothes so you have plenty of variety in your images, but stay true to yourself.. be YOU! And if you have a hobby or interest such as sports, music, fishing, hunting, riding, etc... bring along all your stuff!
DON'T BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW
If you always wear one style, consider trying something completely opposite! Maybe try a fun vintage look, a formal dress or suit, classy & dark, blazer & jeans, colorful & bold, funky or trendy, etc! There are so many things we can do!
ACCESSORIES AND PROPS CAN MAKE THE LOOK
There is nothing that expresses a put-together style like adding in accessories! Things like jewelry, scarves, hats, the perfect shoe or props like flowers, balloons, glitter, instruments, vehicles, pets, or sports equipment can take your image from average to awesome! Let's be creative and give your photos that extra punch!
WHAT TO AVOID
FASHIONABLE VS PHOTOGRAPHABLE
Just because something is in style, that doesn't mean that it will be a good choice for photographs.. for example, neon colors, big patterns and tiny patterns can actually be distracting and neon colors cast the color onto your skin.. and trust me, it's not good to have a neon pink or green neck!
WRINKLES
Wrinkles in your clothing simply don't make you look good.. it makes you look frumpy and like you didn't care - and maybe you don't, but your parents probably do! And since it could cost extra to edit them out (if it's even possible!) it's a good idea to bring your clothes pressed/steamed and on hangers. Pleeeeeeease don't bring your clothes stuffed in a bag!
CHOOSE OUTFITS THAT FIT!
Clothing that fits and is tailored to your shape is better, no matter your size! If you have a larger frame, don't assume that everything needs to be hidden by a big shirt... use layers, v-neck shirts, and accessories to pull your look together!
Be confident in who you are and own it!
SKIN
FACE
It's very important to prep your skin for at least a week before your session. Your images will be retouched in Photoshop to remove zits, but the better shape your skin is in on picture day, the better it will look when it's retouched!
Cleanse your face daily. Use a facial scrub a couple of times a week to clean ous.
Moisturize your skin with a non-SPF moisturizer every night.
Well-groomed brows, nose, and facial hair are a must!
Your lips are very important too, so use a scrub a couple of days a week to keep them from chapping and peeling.
BODY
Use moisturizer multiple times a day and especially the day before and day of your session.
SPRAY TANS / SUNBURNS
We do not recommend a spray tan, especially if you've never had it done before. It will obviously affect how your skin tone will photograph and usually looks unnatural.
You should also avoid sunburns before your session!
Retouching of streaks, tanlines and sunburns is not included in the retouching but available for an extra charge if it is possible.
HAIR & MAKEUP
IF YOU BOOKED A SESSION THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE HAIR & MAKEUP
You can still request her services, but please let me know as soon as possible (at least 2 weeks before the session is best) so I can be sure to get her scheduled!
If you are NOT having makeup or hair done by my artist/stylist, your scheduled session time is when we'll begin your session!
Please arrive in the outfit you want to shoot 'in-studio'.
MAKEUP WITH MY MAKEUP ARTIST
Make sure your face is clean and only use moisturizer... no sunscreen please!
Arrive in something very comfortable... a button-up or large-necked shirt if possible and shorts or leggings work great! You'll be in the makeup chair for about an hour, then you can change into your 'studio' outfit!
To help her to know exactly what you want without having to describe it to her, simply bring screenshots or a Pinterest board of things you like!
We should have everything that's needed, but feel free to bring your makeup, especially if you have favorite products, sensitivities or allergies!
HAIR WITH MY STYLIST
If you are also having makeup done at the studio, she will begin your hair after your makeup is completed.
You can have 'day old' or 'clean' hair depending on how you want your hair styled and if it normally 'acts right' throughout the day. If you're wanting curls but your hair doesn't usually hold curl well, show up with 'day old' hair... if you're wanting it straightened, but you have naturally curly hair, show up with 'clean' hair!
To help your hair stylist to know exactly what you want without having to describe it to her, simply bring screenshots or a Pinterest board of things you like!
ACCESSORIES
Accessories are the spice of your outfit... the cherry on the sundae... the finishing touch!
They add more interest and variety to your outfits and you will look more polished. Choose a couple of accessories for each outfit that match and add to the style.
We will go through everything and finalize the look at the session. I will make sure your look is cohesive and will look great on camera. Bring more options than you think you will need and we will narrow it down.
Consider hats, necklaces, bracelets, rings, scarves, shoes, flowers, headbands, and anything else you like!
Don't forget to add in something special that reflects your personality or a favorite hobby. Things like books, guitars, ballet shoes, sports items, collections & pets always tell the story of your life... and that's what this is all about! It's better to bring it, than to wish you had!
LOCATION
OUTDOORS
The best advice for locations is to consider your personal style... what that means is if you’re a downtown kind of person, there's no sense in going to a barn just because Pinterest pictures are cute! One thing that I'm really big on is -AUTHENTICITY- I want you to be you, look like you, act like you, dress like you, go to places you love.... you get the idea!
IN-STUDIO
The studio offers something different for everyone! I'll match everything to your personal style and the wardrobe you bring with the ton of backdrops, chairs, stools, props, etc I have so we can do high fashion, casual, dressy, fun & silly, dramatic, sports & interests, and pretty much anything in between!
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS & TIPS
IT'S OKAY TO BE OVER-PREPARED
It’s better to be over-prepared than to be forced to make something work and then not like the outcome, so try on everything (even the undies!) the day before the session to make sure everything looks the way you want. That way if you need something, you still have time to get it!
SESSION INSPIRATION
Take a stroll through Pinterest, hashtags on Instagram or my social media and website to get some ideas of what you like. Click this link to go to My Pinterest Inspiration Page
PRACTICE
This one may sound a little crazy, but practicing your facial expressions, different emotions and body language in the mirror will help more than you can imagine!
PEOPLE
Feel free to bring someone with you! This can be parent(s), a friend, or siblings over the age of 10. We don't want a car load of people because they can end up being a distraction.
BREAKS/LUNCH
Eat on the day of your session! If you typically eat several times a day or tend to get hangry, bring some snacks! I can't promise that you won't be starving by the time we finish!
WEATHER
I'll be watching the weather a few days before your session. If there's more than a 30% chance of rain, I'll be watching it even more closely!
If there's a chance of thunderstorms, really hot or cold temps, a 90% or more chance of gloomy clouds, or high winds that day, we'll want to look at rescheduling... that is, unless you want a gloomy day, your makeup to melt off your face, or crazy hair in your pictures! lol! We'll be in contact about it, so for now let's just keep our fingers crossed for a pretty day!
STYLE GUIDES
Take a look at the style guides to help with your outfits!
You'll see different styles and looks, but keep in mind that it's not necessary to go 'all-out' on an outfit from top to bottom unless that's your personal style.
For example, if the outfit in the guide looks good with a hat or chunky jewelry but you would never wear accessories like that, then don't feel like you have to use them!
The Style Guide is great for ideas and suggestions to have a visual, but the most important thing is making sure that you feel good and you’d actually wear the outfit on a day other than 'picture day'!
I hope this guide has helped you to feel more prepared in pulling together your outfits and look for your session!
Feel free to reach out with any questions!