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Your senior year deserves to be celebrated and commemorated, and there are so many fun ways to do this! A photo session and experience is one of them.

If you’ve never scheduled a professional photoshoot before, or simply want to know what to expect from a senior session, this guide covers the basics.

This is what you need to know…

The Before

-        Yearbook deadlines. If your school is creating a yearbook, find out when they need your digital photo files. This will help you plan ahead.

-        The location. The location of your senior session should fit in with your personality and the story you want to tell. Picture yourself doing what you love – where would that usually be? There are always lots of great location ideas to choose from. Just ask me for a few recommendations if you are not sure where to start. 

-        Sooner rather than later. Photographers get a lot of requests for senior photo sessions, so it’s best to schedule yours a few months early to avoid missing out.

-        The outfit. You can decide on an outfit once you’ve chosen your location, or you can do both at the same time. Your outfit should also represent who you are and fit in with the location you’ve chosen. Just make sure your outfit isn’t too distracting or it will end up being the focus of your photos instead of your pretty face.

-        Hair and makeup arrangements. Don’t leave your hair and makeup arrangements for too late either. If this is something that you want to enjoy (pampering yourself is always a good thing) decide on your final look and whether or not you want to do your own hair and makeup.

The During

-        Set aside 3+ hours. The average senior photo session takes 1 to 2 hours, so plan ahead for your special day so that you don’t feel rushed and can enjoy it all. This should include time to get ready, eat something, and travel to your photo venue.

-        Meeting up. On the day of your session, you will meet your photographer (me) at your chosen location at a specific time. There’s no need to be nervous. I am there to make sure that you have a good time and get the photos you’ve envisioned. 

-        Prepare to change outfits. Some seniors prefer to bring along an extra outfit to change into during their shoot. This is because one outfit might look better in a certain location than another or you just may want a few different looks in your portraits.

-        Bring some company. Have a friend or family member with you to share in the adventure. Not only is this fun for you, but they can act as a built in personal cheerleader and help make you feel more relaxed in front on my lens. Just don’t bring too many people or they could end up being a distraction more than anything else. 

The After

-        The wait. After your photoshoot, I will look at all of your images and select the best-of-the-best ones for your gallery. Then I will professionally edit them in Lightroom where I can make them pop and become even more special looking. I usually need 30 days to do this work because it takes time and I like to do it right. Once that is complete, I will send to you an online gallery link where you can see and download your digital images. It is well worth the short wait. 

-        Share and enjoy. Once you receive your photos, you can share and print them as you wish. Yay! 

-        Level up. If you want to take your images to the next level, I can help you there too! I can Photoshop your most favorite pictures for an authentic, natural, and polished look. I can use my professional print lab to create some heirloom quality products such as prints, wall art, and albums. Just tell me your heart’s desire, and let me help you with creating perfect photos for your home or as gifts. 

This is a basic idea of what you can expect from your senior photo session. Ready to get started?