Preparing For Your Senior Photo Session: A Girl's Guide

Senior year is almost here!

You have scheduled your senior photo session with your favorite photographer.  You're super excited, right?

Have you thought about what you need to do before your session?

Being fully prepared for your senior photo session will make the difference between okay photos and flippin' awesome photos!

In this blog, we are going to talk about how you can look your best, feel your best, and maximize your camera time throughout your session.

Remember, being efficient in both your preparation and wardrobe changes/touchups will be a must!

Just follow these simple tips and you will be on your way to having the best photos of your class!  If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact me.

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What To Expect

Hey, being nervous is natural when in front of the camera.

Relax!  This is your time to have fun.  We're going to make you look amazing, all while having a great time.  That's why you chose ShutterVibes!

Just remember, it's important that you arrive early or on time to your appointment.  When you show up late, you will lose time in front of the camera.  WE DON'T WANT THAT!

You know traffic can be hectic sometimes.  If you're coming from out of the city, give yourself plenty of time to find your way around.  Atlanta is known for it's traffic nightmares, so having a buffer in case you get stuck or lost will save you tons of stress.

What's Your Style?

You're unique.  You're beautiful.  You're awesome!

Although there are many guidelines here, the important thing is to be yourself.  Wear clothing that fits your style and put a lot of thought into your choices.  Be a fashionista!  

This is your moment, and we want you to look amazing!

With all of our sessions, we give you unlimited wardrobe changes.  Bring A LOT of options to the session.  The more outfits you have to choose from, the better.  Flexibility to mix and match based on the backgrounds and environment is key.

PRO TIP: Plan to change quickly.  The faster you are able to change your wardrobe, the more time you have in front of the camera.  That equals more photo choices.

Always pick something that you feel comfortable in and that flatters you.  We want you to feel awesome during your session, and like how you look when you see your photos.

Avoid stripes and plaid!  Solid colors will make you look awesome, and busy patterns only detract from the most important thing in the photos: YOU!

Bring multiple colors, styles, and variations.  It's important to have dressy, casual, and somewhere in between.

Dresses are a-o-kay!  They photography well and give variation from your casual attire.  It's always good to get a mix.

When choosing your outfits, don't forget to coordinate with your undergarments.  These shouldn't show through.  If you need a strapless, bring one with you.  Tucking & moving straps just won't look right, and it won't make for great photos.

In summary, try everything on before your session.  Discover surprises before rather than during so we can maximize your camera time.

Shoes: The Difference-Maker

Your shoe selection will make the biggest difference between good and great photos.

We will scream this from the mountaintops: WEAR HEELS!

Boots or pumps, dressy, casual, plain, or down-right sassy, heels will make you stand out and look glamourous.

Also consider flats.  They work well if you mix them with the right outfit.

FLIP FLOPS ARE NOT ALLOWED!  We know they're comfortable and we love them in a casual setting, but they don't photograph well.  Unfortunately, we will not photograph you in flip flops.

Hair, Makeup, & Everything Else!

Only you know what your hair "is supposed to look like".  We will try to help when necessary, but it is ultimately your preference.

One suggestion that we always have is to bring your best friend and he or she can help.  

Any hair changes during the session will need to be quick.  Remember, the more time you need for prep, the less time you have in front of the camera.

BRING THIS: Hair spray, clips, pins, brushes, and whatever else you need to keep your hair looking fantastic is suggested.  It can be windy, so bring things that complement your outfit and keep your hair out of your eyes.  Bring a mirror for quick looks and touchup assist.

Even if you don't wear much makeup, we highly suggest that you take the time to do it well.  Makeup will even your skin tones and give the photos the extra pop you are looking for.

Only do your makeup slightly heavier than you would normally, and avoid products with SPF (this makes you shine... literally).  Make sure your mascara is clean and not clumpy.  

If you decide to paint your nails, make sure you see a professional or spend time on them.  Chipped or improperly applied paint will show and be a distraction.

Make sure to avoid bright colors and patterns.  Choose basic and natural tones that will match will every outfit you decide to bring.

PRO TIP: Use translucent powder! It reduces shine and doesn't mess with your already existing color.

If you have braces, don't worry about them! If you want, we can remove them for an extra charge.  But just enjoy yourself and have fun.  A beautiful smile with braces is so much better than a twisted and awkward smile.

Accessories!!!

Let's start with jewelry.  Keep your selections very simple.  Large and shiny jewelry can be very distracting in the photos.

PRO TIP: Put each outfit's jewelry in plastic baggies and hang it on the hanger with the compliment.  This will speed up the process and minimize prep time.

Proper jewelry choices can really put a pop in your outfit.  Variety and choices never hurt, so bring them along!

If you wear glasses, be warned... Most lenses have a glare.

The safest option for you would be to check with your optometrist to borrow a similar pair without lenses.

Bringing props are also suggested!  They help tell your story, and highlight who you are.  Here are some examples:

• Sports Uniforms & Equipment
• Musical Instruments
• Hobby & Activity-Related Items

Just remember, this is about telling the world who you are!

Your Complexion

We don't want you to look like a leather couch or an oompa-loompa.  We suggest that you use a tanning bed and different swimsuit tops to mitigate any existing tan lines (these are distracting!).

Don't overdo your tanning.  More importantly, don't fake bake.  Photoshop does wonders... but we cannot correct this.

With your complexion, makeup will always do the trick.  We retouch your final images, so don't worry about those pesky breakouts that always happen right before your session.  We've got you covered!

Don't Worry About Weather!

Clouds actually even out the light and make for exceptional photos (it's actually ideal!).  However, falling rain is a huge issue!  If you have any concerns, feel free to contact us.  We will try to contact you first, though.