Ten Tips for Great Senior Portraits
Written: May 14th, 2010
This article is filed in the Helpful Hints category
While these ten tips are geared for the upcoming Senior Portrait season, they really apply to all types of portrait photography: families, couples, kids, professional business portraits, etc. etc. etc.
We’re really excited for the Senior Portrait season to finally be here. Not only because of the great weather, but because it’s a blast meeting new upcoming Seniors and working with them in the studio and outdoors. Whether or not you are working with us for your portraits, these tips will help you get beautiful images. Remember, your portrait is more than a moment captured in time. Your portrait tells a story of who you are now, and who you were when you look back at it in 25 years.
1. The most important tip is to get plenty of sleep! Make sure you get at least 2 nights of good sleep before your photo session so that you will look fresh and won’t have bags under your eyes. Beauty sleep is real. And, if you have both a studio session and outdoor session, you’ll need a little extra energy to keep your glow about you during the sessions.
2. Hair. Guys, let a new hair cut grow out for at least a week before your session, allowing time for any white tan lines to disappear (like where your sunglasses sit on your temples). Also, take the time to get a close shave prior to your session. Girls, if you plan on coloring your hair or getting a new style, also allow at least a week to get used to the style.
3. Clothes. We’ll have had a pre-session consultation and a good idea of what you’ll be wearing. But it’s a good idea to have your clothes and accessories ready the night before your shoot. Choose clothes that reflect your style and the changing seasons (summer – fall). Make sure they are clean and free of wrinkles. Ask your photographer how many outfit changes he/she allows or suggests. We normally limit our client’s number of outfit changes only to the time we have together. Some Seniors want 25 different outfits, and others want only 2 or 3. there’s no “right” or “wrong” amount. For each outfit, put your accessories in a zip lock bag and attach it to the hanger. For the outdoor session, you’ll need to be changing clothes in the car. For guys, it’s not usually and issue. But for the ladies, sometimes layering over a common tank top can make the changes go easier for you.
4. Make-up. Girls bring your make-up, hair spray and curling iron to do touch ups. Make sure that your face make-up is blended into your neck so that when you look in the mirror your neck is not too pale compared to the make-up on your face. Also check to see if you have tan lines that will show with the different outfits you are going to wear. Bring chap stick or lip gloss to keep your lips moist. Dry lips will show up pretty clearly in your portrait, and are hard to correct after your image is captured.
6. Glasses. If you wear glasses, bring an extra pair of frames without lenses if possible. The reflection in your glasses can limit the angles of your poses. Many Optometrists will allow you to borrow a pair of frames for your Senior pictures.
5. Blemishes. Make sure that the Photographer you hire offers retouching. Don’t worry. Your final prints will look great! Ladies, don’t use too much make-up trying to hide blemishes. It will be easier for the Photographer to retouch your prints if you keep a more natural look.
9. Bring a friend. It can be really fun to have your pictures taken at the same time as your friend. Many Photographers will give a discount or extra wallets for you and your friend.
10. Finishing touches. Guys, make sure your fingernails are nicely trimmed. Girls, pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicure the day before.
7. Smile. Most photographers will take your portrait with and without you smiling. If you wear braces and don’t like them, ask your photographer how much they charge to have them digitally removed. If you don’t like your smile, get in front of a mirror and practice it. Once you like a smile, close your eyes and smile, then open your eyes to see if it looks the way you want. Get used to how it feels to smile the way you think you look best. Don’t be afraid to whiten your teeth if you think you need to.
But most important of all relax… and HAVE FUN!!!