Senior Portrait Preparation for Gals

Having a photo shoot can be an incredibly fun experience. A portrait session isn’t complete without some laughter, silly banter, creative moments and for you to just be yourself, express who you are, and be the center of attention for a while.

I also know that seniors have some anxiety around a photoshoot and can be worried about how to prepare and what to wear when it comes to looking good in your photos. 

Here are a few tips that may be helpful for you to help you look your best on the day of your sessions and to make the day as stress free as possible.

Makeup

Your makeup should look like it normally does day to day. Glitter or anything sparkly tends not to photograph well – it can make your skin seem blotchy and uneven in the lens. Natural lips tend to look the best as well, avoid crazy glossy coverage and deep or bright pinks and reds–keep it subtle. Please don’t be concerned about minor breakouts. If you have a blemish or two, it will be fine. I  can take care of all of that during post editing.

Hair

Again, less is best here. Go for a style you wear on a regular basis for a natural look that represents you and how people know you. Play with some of your usual hairstyles a few days before the photoshoot to get the look you want in advance. If you are thinking of getting a haircut, make sure to get it done no less than a week in advance to give your hair a chance to adjust and look natural.

Hands and accessories

Avoid wearing big and chunky jewelry. Again, we want the focus on your face, eyes and personality. Jewelry can date a photograph very quickly. Stay away from trendy pieces. Classic jewelry is best. Your hands will be used a lot to frame your face and enhance your poses. Think about how your nails look and if you want to get a manicure before the shoot, keep it simple. 

Wardrobe

Clothing should be visually simple. We want your face, eyes and expression to be the focus. Outfits with logos, crazy prints, words, stripes, or pictures can be distracting. Solid colors or mellow patterns look the best. Colors that go well with a dark background for close-ups include medium or dark tones of green, brown, rust, wine or blue. Try not to wear flesh-tone or neutral colors such as beige, or tan as these can dominate the picture and make you look washed out.

Studio Session

If you are booking a studio session, the clothes you bring depends on what you are interested in doing. Take a look at the studio styles we can produce and bring clothing that matches what you want to do.

Bottom Line

Remember, your portrait session is YOUR day. Relax and have fun!  If you have questions or want to explore other ideas, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I want you to be happy with the end results.

Meanwhile, make sure to look after yourself. Ensure you get enough rest, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive stress. Treating yourself with kindness in the coming weeks will reflect in your final photographs.