One thing senior year portraits are great at doing is helping you increase your self-confidence…just in time for college.
Although it’s become a cliché, the truth is you are unique and worth celebrating. It’s a perfect opportunity to embrace what makes you special and to love the way you look.
For a lot of teens, there can still be a lot of pressure to fit in, act a certain way, or have a particular “look.” There are a lot of dynamics to think about in the various high school crowds and cliques.
High school has never been short of drama, and not much has changed over the years. Except with the invention of Instagram (and other social sites), the “norm” is becoming even more normal, and sometimes it’s difficult to differentiate between what’s attainable and what’s unrealistic in beauty.
What is the best way to handle this? Just be you. You are one of a kind and you should embrace it. That said, to help you feel more confident in your senior portrait, here are 4 tips to bring out the side of yourself that’s raging with confidence.
1. Embrace Styles That Flatter Your Physique and Complexion
One of the best tips that for your senior portrait is to wear timeless looking clothes that are flattering to your figure. Looking back at these pictures in ten or so years, you’re going to be glad that you kept things simple and classic! A little trendy is okay and fun to do; just keep in mind the timelessness idea as well. If you’re having trouble finding styles that bring out the best in your body shape, you can always get a personal shopper at stores like Stich Fix, Macy’s, Antropologie, Style Encore, H&M, and Trunk Club by Nordstrom. Or even hire a freelancer who’s relatively inexpensive.
2. Draw Inspiration From Nature
As a photographer who specializes in outdoor photography, I love how being in nature truly brings out my client’s natural beauty and helps them relax. The scenery is also great for drawing inspiration for an outfit, makeup, or a prop. Whether you’re inspired by the changing leaves in autumn or blooms in spring, being in nature and drawing inspiration is guaranteed to put you at ease and give you a moment of Zen.
3. Enjoy YOUR Day
I know it’s easy to let the butterflies in your stomach take flight, but my job as a photographer is to capture your moment as it happens. There’s no wrong pose because this is not a test. By simply enjoying yourself and feeling comfortable in your appearance, you’re going to have the best pictures.
4. Invite A Friend or Sibling
But, if those nerves are still getting the better of you and you’re second guessing every outfit, idea, or prop you’ve planned, invite someone who “gets you” to come along. Therefore, you may want to bring a friend along. Even if you aren’t going be photographed together, the moral support can help you take advantage of this opportunity to capture a memorable experience.
As a senior there are lots of changes happening in your life at the moment. It’s your last year of high school and possibly your last year living in your hometown. This is the year where you’ll make some significant steps in your life and letting go of your insecurities at this time is probably going to be one of the best choices you make. Being body-positive is an active choice and taking gorgeous senior pictures can help you embrace your new body-positive mindset with greater assuredness.
