Three Ps to Better Senior Pictures – Part 2 – Prepare!

In our previous post on the three P’s of Better Senior Pictures, we talked about planning. Planning involves answering the questions; what you want, what to wear, where to go and when. This post breaks it down even further into how to prepare for your senior pictures!

The first step is to talk to your photographer.  You need to both be on the same page and you need to schedule your Senior Portrait Session!  Your photographer should be able to give you more advice as to what to wear and where to go.(unless you have somewhere specific in mind) Most photographers are not mind-readers, so you have to tell them what you want or at least what you think you want. Remember, the photographer wants what you want; Awesome Senior Portraits!

Once the date is set for your Senior Portrait Session, it is time to prepare!

• Plan to have your hair cut/colored no later than 2 weeks prior to your session. (Especially in the summer). Do NOT decide on a new hairstyle right before your senior session…This includes shaving your head for sports camps!!!! Gals if you are getting your brows waxed, schedule it a few days prior.
• Shop or select the clothes you plan to wear. Make sure everything fits well and is comfortable. If it needs ironing, do it now.
• Each outfit should be put together on a hanger, and any special undergarments, accessories or shoes go into a plastic bag, also on the hanger. Hanging clothes prevents wrinkles. Wrinkles are bad!
• If you plan to have Sportraits or other photos in a sports uniform, contact your coach ASAP, so you can have access to the uniforms you will need. If your sports portrait also requires a special location, such as a swimming pool or gym, make sure you will have access on your selected date as well. Reconfirm the week of your Portrait Session to make sure everything is a go!
• Sports uniforms, like other outfits all go together on a hanger. All gear associated with that sport should go in a duffel bag. This includes headgear, helmets, pads, goggles, balls, bats, poms, EVERYTHING you need goes into the duffel.
• If you want photos in your letter jacket, make sure it is up to date with your most recent letters and patches.
• Avoid the sun for the days prior to your Portrait Session. More specifically do not make plans to go to the beach, boating, fishing, or any event where you will be in the sun for hours on end. Not only do sunburns hurt, they are ugly when they peel and are more difficult to contend with in post production.
• Get sleep the night before…enough said
• Gals make sure your nails, fingers and toes have either no polish or are freshly polished…chipped, nasty nails just look bad.
• Guys…shave(I don’t care if it’s “No Shave November”)

So, you have talked with your photographer. You have scheduled your Senior Portrait Session. You have your outfits planned, and on hangers. You have your sports gear and permission from coach to use the pool, gym, etc. Your hair, eyebrows and nails are all done and beautiful. You have rescheduled your trip to the amusement park and the all night gaming party scheduled for the night before. Guys have a post it on their mirror that says: SHAVE!

You are officially prepared. Next we will talk about the fun part…Participation!

Thanks for reading! Hope everyone stays safe and warm through this next round of winter weather! Laura T