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!