Hello everyone!
I decided to make a blog post yet again about you know… Senior Pictures! Today’s post is all about prepping for your spring senior session. I will be talking about what you should do a couple months before, tips that are extremely helpful, and even guides for you to reference to make sure everything about your senior session is perfect!
Let’s go ahead and start with kinda the biggest point in senior pictures. Finding a Photographer! Now this may seem easy, but a couple months in advance start researching senior photographers near you that you like their style, they seem like they know what they are doing, and you feel like you could get along with them. Now a little side tip: Busy season for Senior Photographers is April & May, so PLEASE DO NOT try and reach out during these months to book during these months. I highly recommend to reach out in January or February and book your session for those months then. When reaching out to photographers look at their work, view their pricing or ask for their pricing, ask yourself what do they offer? and from there move forward with their process.
Little insight: I have everything you could possibly want to know all on my website, from my portfolio of seniors, my pricing, faq page, about me, and a contact form so you can reach out for more information. If you’re interested go to emilyymariephotography.com
After you find your senior photographer or reach out to one, then comes the planning process and everything that comes with that. By that I mean finding the perfect outfits, props that represent you, the best hair and makeup, and locations that are unique. When planning with your photographer, go over locations the are familiar with and see if they have any ideas on locations they want to try out. Outfits will be different for everyone, so try and incorporate your personal style, sports you are in, having your cap & gown in some images (for your mom), or even wear something that’s unique and no one else has done. As a photographer I love when my seniors come to me with ideas that are out of the park and creative, because it makes me excited for their session. If you have a uniform for the sport you are in and involving it into your session gives your session a little special touch. I have tons of blog posts containing style guides, my go to stores for seniors to shop at, and all of the Pinterest boards with inspiration for you to reference during your process.
If you didn’t know I am actually opening a client closet, so this means I will be buying clothing specifically for my clients to rent out at a low cost for their senior pictures. This means if you don’t want to spend $60 on a denim jacket, don’t worry I got you. All clothing will be available for rent in 2020. I will be having clothing in all sizes S-L of jackets, dresses, rompers, tops, and skirts. This is available at an additional cost of your senior session, but will be open to all SENIORS no matter who your photographer is, all of my clients will receive a lower rate than non emp seniors. I will be posting on social media later on about this though.
BLOG POSTS:
STYLING TIPS FOR YOUR SENIOR PHOTOS
STORES TO SHOP AT FOR YOUR SENIOR PICTURES
SIMPLE & EASY LAST MINUTE OUTFITS
PINTEREST BOARDS:
FALL SENIOR PICTURES STYLE GUIDE
ALL AROUND CLOTHING STYLE GUIDE
HAIR INSPIRIATION GUIDE
MAKEUP INSPIRIATION GUIDE
JEWELRY INSPIRATION GUIDE
Hair and Makeup is a whole process, so when looking for one I highly recommend asking your photographer if they work with one or know of any that are on their vendor list. Now I have a couple on my list I work with and give my clients. For all my seniors I actually offer a package with hair and makeup included, meaning hair and makeup is at a discounted rate for my clients only. When outsourcing your hair and makeup I say hire a professional, because they are more knowledgable about this rather than myself. When booking hair and makeup keep in mind the time of your senior session, example if you’re senior pictures are at 4:00 p.m. have your hair and makeup start at 1:00 p.m. hair and makeup typically takes 2 hours and then keep in mind traveling to your first location from the location of hair and makeup. If you prefer to do your own hair and makeup then please wear fake eyelashes, they make your eyes appear so much bigger on camera, also if you over do your makeup that means it will appear on camera better. If you do light makeup it will appear on camera as nothing, so adding foundation if you normally don’t is best!
If you are wanting to self tan or spray tan for your senior pictures do a trail run before! I cannot say this enough, throwback to when I was in high school I didn’t do it before my senior banquet and IT WAS NOT CUTE, I ended up sweaty so much the spray tan came off my arm pits and I had to get a different dress to cover it up. Please do a trail run before hand to find the shade you like best.
A few hair and makeup artists I recommend to my clients:
Lexi with HMU by Lexi
Katelyn with Bell Chic
Kodi with Kodi & Co Makeup
Jeanntte with Katy Mobile Studio
Spray Tan Tech I LOVE:
Ashley with Bronze Me Beautiful - Love her so much she is so sweet and amazing!!
Eye Lash Tech:
Marisol with Maris Beauty - She is amazing and does an incredible job!
The hardest part for you, the senior, to figure out is the locations. As the photographer I can show you where i’ve been and where I want to go! I have a couple of go to locations that are pretty versatile and perfect for your senior photos, but there are always places that I haven’t been that I have been dying to try out. Mind you i’m always in Houston shooting, so ya girl loves going to Galveston and doing beach pictures, or even a cute cafe. Ask your photographer what they think would look best with your vibe. KEEP IN MIND!! Your locations really depend on your outfits, so don’t do to the beach if you want to wear a leather jacket, ask for your photographers opinion they always know best. If you see something you like SHOW THEM! If you have inspiration for your senior photos then show your photographer, because it will let us know your vibe for your session.
Things to bring on your senior session:
-Brush or Comb.
-Shoes you don’t care about if you want a field as your location (there could be mud).
-Extra lipstick or lipgloss for touch ups.
-Jewelry to wear with each outfit.
-Different bra options depending on your outfits.
-Makeup wipes for after your session to take it off.
-Props you want to use in your session.
-Extra outfits in case you don’t know what you want, decide day of with your photographer.
Lets talk props to bring for your senior session, now this isn’t required, but it will add something more to your session rather than all your pictures being of you smiling. I have a few favorites I tell my seniors would be cute, please bring. Now I made a whole list for you to reference!
CLICK ME TO SEE PROP LIST
Props are really showing others what you have accomplished, maybe brining something you enjoy. My all time favorites are precious puppy dogs, a cute tan or black hat, your lettermen, flowers, acceptance letter from future college, a letter board with a little saying, confetti or confetti popper, and bubbles.
After you buy all of things then all you have to do is actually go to your senior session. Day of tip: bring water with you to your session, if you live in Texas and it’s hot you will be dehydrated and will be dying of thirst after your shoot, this is me after every session, so take my advice. If you decide to go alone have fun with it! Pretend your taking IG pics, be silly, don’t take fake laughing too serious and be yourself! I cannot express all of this enough. Another tip: Send your photographer your graduation card, we love seeing our work on a card! Just ask for our address, it’s not weird!!
Hopefully this helped any senior maybe not even knowing where to start for your senior pictures. If you need guidance or help feel free to reach out to me through dm and I would love to help! If you are needing a photographer, feel free to reach out to me I would love to be your senior photographer!
Anyways, much love and I hope this helped anyone in need to it!
Emily.
