It’s Senior Year!
For the senior:
Senior year is exciting, but with all the excitement and anticipation can come stress—remembering dates, meeting deadlines, applying to colleges, or planning your next career step. Don’t forget—staying on track with your classes, deciding to remain close to home or to move away, and fighting the end of school burn-out.
Oops! Did I make it worse? 😊 Sorry!
Let’s focus on the fun stuff. This year will be a magical one. You'll get to celebrate with your family, friends, and classmates. You’ll commemorate the milestones you’ve achieved and embark on a new adventure, paving the way to a successful future. But, best of all—you’ll finish school before everyone else!
For the parent:
All the above plus some.
Best advice? Stay on top of the important dates and deadlines, but most of all—enjoy this time with your baby!
Now, for the commemorating….
What better way to remember senior year than with a photo session? The time-honored tradition of taking senior pictures is one highlight of senior year for both the senior and the parent.
Keys to having a great session:
-
Find a photographer whose style best fits your vision.
-
Book early. Congratulations, you’re ahead of the game if you’ve already scheduled the date. If you haven’t, remember not to wait until Spring for a session in Spring. The most popular dates will book up before school starts!
-
Discuss where you’d like to have your session. It helps to browse photos of seniors from previous years. Remember that seasons, weather, and lighting can change the aesthetic of an image, even when it’s taken at the exact location. All sessions are unique.
-
Plan out your outfits early. Don’t forget proper undergarments, shoes, and accessories.
-
Try on your outfits prior to the session. (This one is for the boys.) Haha
-
Locate all props you’d like to use in photos. This may include a kindergarten graduation photo, class ring, sports jerseys, sports equipment, letter jacket, instruments, college t-shirt or pennant, etc. Props may not be your “thing,” and that’s okay, too. It’s all about you.
-
On the day, relax. Yes, you have hair and makeup appointments but don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself. All your outfits are ready, and all that’s left is to have fun. Feel free to play your favorite tunes. I love all music!
-
For most locations, walking is common. Remember to wear to the session comfortable shoes, preferably something you can slip on and off easily. Carry your “pretties” to change into. I promise you that those “comfortable” heels won’t be comfortable for long. Don’t be a martyr.
Crocs work well, as do slides. -
That’s it. It’s time to pose and smile. This is the easy part.
FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER, BOOK,
and DECIDE LOCATION:
Thank you for considering me as your photographer. With the many photographers available today, I am honored to capture this milestone for you. If you’ve already booked your date, then relax. The hard part it over! Dates fill fast, and certain seasons are more popular than others, although in recent years, the only “slow” season has been the summer. If you can’t commit to a specific date yet, try to decide on a month, or season.
​
There are many locations from which to choose. Some seniors have sessions on private property, some choose to stay around the Denham Springs/Walker area, some want the downtown Baton Rouge area, and some choose fee-based locations, such as Rural Life Museum, the St. Francisville plantations, and various gardens around Baton Rouge and New Orleans. However, the most popular areas, because of the diverse backdrops available in one location, are the grounds at LSU and the grounds at the capitol.
If you have questions about a specific location, we can work together to find the best place for your shoot.
​
PLANNING OUTFITS
There is no right or wrong outfit for a senior session. Sure, some clothing photographs better than others, but ultimately, it’s about what the senior looks and feels best wearing and what expresses his/her style. Are there exceptions? Yes! Boys never like to wear dressy attire, but wow, it looks good in a photo!
​
Overly busy prints and stripes aren’t the best choices, with most sites suggesting you opt for solids. Again, it’s what you like. If you like stripes, find some that elongate the body, and if you like prints, make sure it’s not so busy that it detracts from you. A pretty floral on a flowy maxi or midi dress is quite elegant.
​
Black-and-white clothing and other neutrals can be attractive, so if that’s your thing, it’s okay, but when in doubt, opt for color. Jewel tones are stunning, both in the fall and in the spring. Pops of bright colors work for boys as well as girls. While neutrals are tried and true, you can’t go wrong with a color that complements your eyes or skin tone.
​
Remember that for a wider variety in posing, it helps to include something you feel comfortable moving in, sitting in, and squatting in.
​
Don’t forget to bring something to wear beneath the cap and gown if you’ve chosen to have them in your selection. Think… what will I wear on graduation day? (Button-up and slacks; traditional dress in white or other preferred colors are the best choices, but some have done shoots in tees.)
​
For your session, I suggest-
​
-
At least one dressy outfit (the parent/grandparents' favorite).
For the girls, this might be a dress, a skirt set, a pantsuit, or a super-cute jumpsuit or romper. It should be something you feel FABULOUS wearing.
For the boys, this might be a full suit with a button-up shirt, a blazer with slacks or jeans and a button-up shirt or a nice, solid t-shirt beneath it, or a button-up and slacks or khakis.
​
2. One vamped-up casual. You might wear this outfit for a holiday get-together or church.
For girls, this could be anything from the above list to white jeans and a pretty top. The range of possibilities is endless.
For boys, this could be a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up or a polo with khakis or jeans; Nice shorts and a polo work well, and in the winter, a colored Henley looks nice too.
​
3. One that says, “This is who I am.” This could be something trendy, something casual, or something uniquely you. Express your style.
Your options include dresses, suits, shorts, skorts, jeans, joggers, skirts, etc. In addition, I’ve seen prom dresses, a selection of bow ties and dress shirts, activewear, graphic tees, flannel, hoodies, leather jackets, and western wear.
​
4. Jerseys and other sports/spirit group attire can be used.
​
5. Something to wear beneath the cap and gown. I’ve seen it all… from t-shirts to dress shirts and ties.
Suggested: Light-colored button-up shirt, slacks, or khakis with or without a tie. The graduation dress is usually white in varying styles, although other dresses are lovely.
​
6. Accessories-
For girls: The obvious are earrings, other jewelry, and shoes to match the outfit. Consider adding a hat to your selection. It gives variety to your images. (Even if you think you can’t wear a hat, believe me, you can!) You might want a floral crown, a sparkly belt, a trendy jacket, sassy shades, or socks with your university’s logo. The possibilities are endless.
​
For boys:
Shoes are their "thing," from fresh kicks (haha… I know that doesn’t make me cool, but I tried) to cowboy boots. Maybe bring a pair of sunglasses, a favorite chain or a watch. Wear a hat if that’s your thing—a cowboy hat or a favorite ball cap. You can toss on a leather jacket or your letterman jacket.
Another favorite "Accessory" is your vehicle. If you want shots with your car or truck, Make sure to clean it up first. Clear windows, mirrors, headlights, and grill, especially.
The above examples are merely suggestions. Any combination works. It’s all about your personality.
Now, let’s have some fun and create some exceptional memories.
