How to Prepare for your Senior Portrait Session
By; Kurtis Landry of Kurtis Landry Photography, Broken Arrow and Tulsa Locations
First of all let me congratulate you on this amazing accomplishment and allowing me to share this life milestone with you. Graduating is a once in a lifetime experience and a celebration of your hard work that deserves to be captured in time. I understand how the process can be quite daunting, which is why I’ve decided to put together a small blog to help you prepare for the experience. My job is to assist you in preparing for graduation and making the process as anxiety free as possible.
But I know we are going to have a lot of fun capturing photos that show off your Personality and your Style. I am really excited to be able to spend this time with you. Here are some tips to help you get ready.
Clothing
This is the time to express yourself so wear clothes that you love and show off your Personality. This is a celebration of you and capturing who you are today. There is no harm in each person bringing a variety of outfits to provide you with options.
Not only should you try your clothes on before the photo shoot but everything should fit well Including being comfortable. You will be standing, sitting and possibly laying down, so it is important to be comfortable and be able to do these things.
When you try on your clothes and if you don’t like what it looks like or how it fits try a different outfit. Again you need to be comfortable and like what you look like. It will reflect back in the images we capture.
Be sure to clean and iron clothes prior to the photo shoot. This may sound obvious but hanging garments can reduce the likelihood of wrinkles showing up in photos.
If you want you can send me a picture of what you are planning to wear. This way if you have any questions I can help you plan what to wear.
Bright colors are the best for a photo shoot. Solid colors are good and if you choose to wear an outfit with patterns I recommend the second color be solid.
Sometimes too many patterns or flowers on an outfit can take away from the senior so keep that in mind as well.
Hair and Makeup
It is better for girls to hire a makeup professional to really step up the look of your pictures. We want to showcase your beauty and not cover up your natural beauty.
Girls if you are doing your own makeup, take time and try to keep your makeup as natural looking as you possibly can.
Too much makeup or too wild will really take away from your beauty.
Ladies, if you are getting your haircut before the shoot, do so about two weeks beforehand, just in case something goes wrong you will have time to fix.
Guys cut your hair a couple of days before the shoot. Not the day of the shoot.
I really recommend that you don't try to drastically change your hairstyle before the shoot, you might regret your decision to do that.
Ladies bring hair clips, pins, hair spray and a small mirror so you can do some quick touch ups. (Or better yet a friend who can help you out).
Ladies, don’t forget to get your nails done a day or two before the shoot. Pick a neutral color that won’t distract or clash with your outfits. If you get nails done just make sure they look tidy and clean.
Props and Accessories
Props and accessories help tell the story of who you are, what you did, and any special accomplishments.
Here are a few examples if you played baseball, maybe bring a glove or bat. If you were in the band, bring your instrument. If you had a car that you absolutely loved, bring that.
Get your props together at least a week ahead of time.
If you want your car in the pictures make sure you get it cleaned the day before the photo shoot.
Jewelry can really compliment your clothing and adds that extra polished detail, just make sure it is tasteful. Too big and shiny can be very distracting in photos. We want the focus to be on you, not on your jewelry.
Another good accessory is hats, scarfs and Letterman Jackets.
Tans
Most senior portraits are taken in the summer months. So we have to be careful about tan lines. If you have been tanning make sure to wear clothes that do not show your tan lines.
Do not get sunburned and come to the photoshoot.
Now you're ready for the shoot and it is the day of the shoot. What do I need to do now?
Come prepared to have a blast. I really enjoy these shoots and I love to have fun. I pride myself in helping my clients relax and have fun also.
Don’t stress out about what the pictures are going to look like. I will be showing you how great you look as the shoot progresses.
Don’t worry about how to pose. I will teach you how to pose like a model.
Don’t worry about anything else this is a time for you to just relax and live in the moment and celebrate you and your accomplishment.
We will have plenty of time to get the best images so don’t worry.
This is also your time to put me to work. Actually I don’t consider this work. I absolutely love taking pictures of Seniors. I love hearing about all your accomplishments, all your dreams and goals. I really enjoy taking the time to get to know you. Because believe it or not you ROCK.
Seeing how you prepared well in advance the photo session will be the easy part and that is you just being you. I am just going to be capturing pictures of you that is all.
Please be on time for your shoot. We planned and set the schedule so that we had the best available natural light to take advantage of. I can photograph in any lighting condition , and I bring different lighting tools with me on location but there is no better light than what the sun can produce, especially during golden hour. But Golden hour does not last very long. So please be on time. I will be there waiting for you to arrive.
Relax and enjoy the moment.