A Guide to Senior Portraits for Parents

For most parents, senior portraits are a distant memory. They have changed a lot over the last two decades, incorporating more creativity and individuality than ever before. Seniors have a lot more options available to them, ranging from traditional sessions in a studio to trendy urban shoots. This is the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their unique talents, passions, and personality, while also creating a lasting memory. However, with all the available options, portrait sessions can quickly become overwhelming for both parents and seniors. Here are a few quick tips to help you prepare for your child’s upcoming senior session.

Make a Note of the Yearbook Deadline

Knowing the yearbook deadline encourages you to schedule a senior session instead of putting it off until the last minute. Depending on your requirements, a senior photo session will start with a yearbook portrait followed by creative shots that are unique to your child. In most instances, it takes at least 3 weeks to receive the final images, so plan accordingly.

Keep Your Senior’s Schedule in Mind

As a parent of a senior, you already know how frantic their schedules can be. Before you go ahead and schedule a session, sit down with your senior to discuss a good time. They should be just as involved in the planning as you are. Even the specific time of day matters when scheduling a senior session. Ideally, you want to take photos just after sunrise and just before sunset, as this is when the lighting’s the best. However, the right photographer can make any time of the day work. Midday should be a last resort though as the lighting is far too harsh.

Compromise with Your Child

You may have a specific idea about the photos you would like to see, but this is about your child and what makes them feel confident and comfortable. Most senior sessions allow for several outfit changes, so use this as an opportunity to find a happy balance between what you want and what your senior wants. Be patient and hear them out before you brush off their ideas. Their portraits should represent who they are and what they love.

Encourage Sharing

Prior to a senior session, get your child to open up about their passions, hopes, and dreams. This information will help guide the shoot and ensure the most authentic photos. Knowing what your senior wants these photos to represent will also guide their outfit and location choices. Don’t forget to include your senior in the search for a photographer – a photographer’s style needs to fit in with the images you hope to create.

Indiana Senior Photographer | Skipper Class of 2020

Skipper, what can I say about her? This girl showed me sass the entire session. Not once did she crack a full smile. Adamant on using that blue steal look of hers, and she rocked it! As soon as I met her for coffee in The Dream house Café I knew we would instantly have a great time. We laughed and even played dress up from Barbie’s wardrobe (Don’t worry, Barbie gave us the ok).  We set a time earlier in the year to have this session, but with the COVID-19 outbreak I was just about to cancel with her. She told me she was immune from the virus and couldn’t even carry it! Presented a note from her Doctor so we kept the date! I was so excited to finally photograph again!

Her favorite memory of 2020 was her homecoming. The game was against their undefeated rivals “The Braves.” The score stayed neck in neck the entire night. Her boyfriend Kevin made the winning touchdown. Afterwards they went to East End Double Dip and celebrated with lots of Ice cream and Pizza.

Her biggest accomplishment was buying her first car. She was told that she had to buy her own, so she got a job at Aroma Coffee shop and earned enough from her Junior and Senior year that she bought her very own car.

Before all this chaos of schools shutting down she was able to get a scholarship for cheer at Arizona State. I was so excited for her because I had told her that I lived there for almost 10 years and I told her she was going to love it. She wants to major in the medical field.

The evening was amazing, and it really made my night. I am so thankful that I was able to meet Skipper she may look like a stoic model, but she is one fun girl.

I hope you enjoyed this session as much as I did. Stay at home, be safe and be grateful.
#letusallbewell #coronacation

God Bless,

‘Becca

LEWIS CASS HIGH SCHOOL, SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER | CLASS OF 2018 | TAYLOR

Taylor Is one of the sweetest people I have met! She is so down to earth and you know she really cares about the people she is in touch with.

She showed up to her photo session with her best friend Hallie. As you get to know me more you will realize I am horrible with names and can never forget a face. For some reason, throughout the entire session I kept calling Hallie “best friend” because, for the life of me I was never able to remember her name. I obviously have her name down now, but they both got a kick out of the fact that I kept “best friend”. We did these photos in Maconaquah park because the lighting was perfect in april that year. BONUS… the cute little wildflowers were in bloom too. I still keep in touch with Taylor and I am so proud of what she has been up to since she graduated. A beautiful person inside and out and I can’t wait to see where life takes her!

A LITTLE ABOUT Taylor-

Everyone has their own schedule in life and Taylor has really grasped this and has done extremely well for herself. She Has become the night manager for the Dog Shed in Walton. Now settled in in her own place, she is now planning to follow College path earning her major in elementary education.

While Attending Lewis Cass High School, She was a 4 year band member. Also participating in Drama, 4-H while working as a waitress at Hometown Pizza and the Dog Shed.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT YOUR SENIOR YEAR?

My favorite moment of senior year was winning the class C State competition for band. As a Section Leader in the band and 4 year member it was everything I could’ve dreamed it would be and more.

What Makes you smile?

People talking to me makes me smile. I really enjoy talking to people and I love dogs and other animals. I like flower and my job…

Just about everything makes me smile!

I always encourage Seniors to bring along a friend! Friendships are so important to most in High school, why not make it a party and do some BFF Photographs?

Taylor, don’t stop shining your light on the people you meet. The world is a better place with people like you in it.

Live loved,
‘Becca

MACONAQUAH HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER | CLASS OF 2018 | LAURIN

Laurin reminds me a lot of myself, A spunky, free spirited person who loves everyone. I can say nothing, but amazing things about her. As one of my 2018 Senior reps she was so enthusiastic and was easy to laugh with. This girl understood my quirky sense of humor and we both laughed the entire time. For instance I photographed a picture of her leaning up against the wall on the Circus building and I told her to look down at her shoe. I then asked her what was on the bottom of it and I screamed out DOG CRAP! She busted up laughing! Thanks so much for humoring me Laurin.

A LITTLE ABOUT LAURIN-

Laurin is now attending the University of Indiana Kokomo, Pursuing a major in forensic psychology with a minor in criminal justice!

While attending Maconaquah High School as a natural leader, she was active in in cheerleading, marching band, concert band, SADD (Students Against Drinking and Driving) club. While working at Gravity Trampoline Park she also participated in Serve Together, and FCA Club. This girl was very busy!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT YOUR SENIOR YEAR?

My Favorite Moment of senior year would definitely have to be my senior night for Cheerleading during football season. There was so many people there along with all my friends. The whole cheer team joined the student section for cheers and pumped up everyone in the stands!

What Makes you smile?

Honestly? Anything can make me smile. You name it and i smile. The things that mostly make me smile are animals, helping others, seeing other people happy, seeing God’s love through people I mentor, playing with kids and being out in nature.

I always encourage Seniors to bring along a friend! Friendships are so important to most in High school, why not make it a party and do some BFF Photographs? I was lucky enough to have both of these girls to photograph because they both were My 2018 Senior Reps!

What a blessing to not only have photographed but meet this beautiful woman. She radiates joy and I know she will go places! Live loved Laurin and keep being you!

‘Becca

The 5 senior session mistakes to avoid | Peru Indiana Senior Photographer

Hello Friend!

With school starting and winter just around the corner I know that senior sessions are on your mind right now! For some, you have already booked and photographed your sessions this summer. Now with Fall in the mix you can get some great photographs with the leaves changing!

ANYWAY……(I digress)

For those who have NOT gotten around to getting your senior portraits done I thought I could give you a few pointers on what NOT to do to help you out in planning your best portrait session!

1: GETTING A HAIRCUT RIGHT BEFORE YOUR SESSION

Little story behind this one, a few days before my very own senior portrait session my hairdresser was booked solid! I decided to take a chance on someone else. instead of telling her a trim I wanted to change things up and told her to give me long layers. This girl had no idea how to work with the little hair that I have (my ponytail is the size of my pinky). She cut it to look like a MULLET! Yes, I said it right, A MULLET!!!!!

With my hairdresser booked, I took matters into my own hands and cut it off and used the curls that god gave me to cover up what uneven mess I had made. The pictures turned out great, but my hair looked nothing like the person I was for the past four years of my highschool career.

TO AVOID THIS:

If you do need a cut, you should have it done about 1 week prior to the session if your are a boy. For girls, you should probably plan on 2 weeks prior to your session. You also don’t want to try anything brand new before your session either. You want the portrait to look like you!

2: WEARING THE WRONG CLOTHING

You may love a certain outfit now, but in 10 years it may make you cringe! Your senior portrait is really about seeing you, not your clothes. Really bright colors or busy patterns distract the eye, making it hard to focus on your face. Medium to dark colors photograph best. Solid colors are better than patterns. Teal, medium purple, and periwinkle blue are universally flattering colors that will also photograph well.

Make sure you clothes are somewhat form fitting. Nothing is more awkward then a photographer tucking clothing into your pants or pinning back a shirt so we can see the figure your momma gave you. It is truly more flattering and you don’t look as boxy in your photographs.

3: CHOOSING THE WRONG PHOTOGRAPHER

You need to feel completely comfortable around your photographer, which is why it’s important to take your time and do your research before you decide on someone. Be sure to meet with photographers face to face to make sure that they’re a good fit for your. If you’re going to feel uncomfortable during your shoot, it’s going to show in your photos. Also if your photographer isn’t experienced enough you’re only going to end up being unhappy with your photos and angry that you wasted your money, so make sure that they have experience with senior portraits before you pay.

4: FORCING A POSE OR SMILE

I like to see sessions as a time to hang out and goof around. The more natural you are in front of the camera, the better your photos will look. If your feeling nervous, let your photographer know. If they are experienced enough , they should be able to find ways to make that natural smile and possibly laugh shine through. It’s all about the REAL you, not barbie or ken dolls.

5: TAKE CARE OR YOUR SKIN

I’m not saying to go out and get a facial or add any new pealing face mask to your sleep regimen (NO NEW PRODUCTS). I’m saying to not pick at your face. For some (like me) it is so tempting to mess with that pesky zit that wants to say hi days before your photo session. if a breakout is a bit concern, your photographer should be able to fix that in post processing. Ask them, I know most will say, “no problem!”

I hope I was able to help you a bit, or maybe reassure you what you shouldn’t do before your session. The most important advice I can give you is to have fun! This year will fly by faster then you can say “selfie” (I know I’m corny). I truly hope you have a beautiful senior year!