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I have been capturing natural light portraits for many, many years. In that time, I’ve helped numerous teenagers memorialize their senior year through breathtaking images. 

What I’ve learned and always share with the seniors that come to me is that there are two elements to capturing a timeless picture: confidence and perfecting the details. 

Photos rely on several elements to look exceptional. Therefore, you need to focus on how something looks in reality and on how it is going to appear in a photograph.

As a photographer, I'll advise you about how well something will photograph, whether that is the lighting, posing, or other element. In doing this, I'll ensure that every picture we take is worth it.

What You Want to Ask Yourself Before Taking Senior Pictures...

To guarantee that you take those once-in-a-lifetime images, I’ve condensed the process of your photoshoot into important questions that you need to ask before and during your photoshoot.

3 Questions to Ask Before Your Photoshoot 

1. Do You Look Your Best?
In an image, all the fine details are captured; details that otherwise would go unnoticed. Because an image can last forever, you want to be sure that you look like the best version of yourself.

Start with the smaller details. This is going to ensure that – overall – you look your best. 

Begin by ensuring your hands are manicured; nails and moisturized hands are essential. Your hands will be in most shots and can take center stage when placed close to your face. If you’re going to be wearing sandals or open-toed shoes, you need to pedicure those piggies.

The second thing you should focus on are your teeth. Defiantly brush and floss your perily whites before the photoshoot. You may want to consider use whitening products that your dentist would recommend to ensure your teeth are front-cover worthy. 

Get eight hours of sleep the night (and weeks) before the photoshoot. This is the best way to help you emerge looking like a beauty with minimal effort. 

Finally, drink your daily recommendation of water weeks before the big day! Water hydrates your skin and hair and has a significant effect on your overall appearance. 

Hydration is going to help reduce puffiness or dark circles around your eyes and make your eyes look bright and awake. Yay!

2. Is That Your Favorite Outfit?
You know the feeling when you put on a gorgeous outfit, and instantly feel 10x better?

When you're putting together an outfit, think about wearing your favorite shoes, color, and jewelry. You can also style your hair in a way that makes you feel most confident.

When you are wearing clothes that make you feel amazing, you will feel better.

3. Are You in a Good Location / Background?
You want to settle on a background or location before taking your pictures.

Backgrounds instantly improve the image. The colors, overall scenery, and vibe can inspire different poses, enhance your features, and make you feel more comfortable.

After taking portrait photos for many years, I know all the gem spots that photograph perfectly and add unique elements to every shot. 

I’ve shot in front of graffiti walls, on farms, in parks, in urban settings, and at sporting grounds. I have a knack for improving aesthetics through the use of locations. 

If you want a unique location photoshoot who you gonna call? Ghostbusters? Nope. Me. 

3 Questions To Ask During Your Photoshoot

1. Are Your Boo-Boos Hidden?
The camera can magnify flaws, so you want to double-check that your boo-boos aren’t on full display. You can choose to cover temporary flaws with concealer / make-up or wear something that doesn’t draw attention to it. Photoshop is always very helpful in polishing images to make sure that you look your best. 

You can also pose in ways that best flatter your body type. I can help you with that. Yay!

2. Do You Want to Post This Image?
Possibly the most significant test of how good your senior pictures are is your willingness to post them. You know your photographer is doing a good job if you are itching to post the pictures they are taking. 

It’s also a good idea to discuss your aesthetics with your photographer. Because you're taking your senior pictures, you want the image to represent your style and not be out of the norm for what you would post on your socials. 

3. Are My Friends Going to See Me Looking My Best?
Lastly, the friend test. This test happens to be the most important. 

This test entails determining whether your friends are going to compliment your pictures. Are they going to be stunned at how stunning you look? And, even though you may not want to admit it, will they envy the results of your photoshoot? 

If the answer is yes to all of these three questions, then you know you’re taking the right kind of pictures. Pictures that you’ll always want to look back on – and brag about – in five, ten, twenty, or even thirty years.

No one wants to admit it but having brag-worthy pictures is the goal with every photoshoot.

As a photographer, I've made it my business to ensure you have the most envy-inducing, jaw dropping pictures possible. You should feel like a million bucks during and after your photoshoot.