Getting started

Maybe you love to put together outfits and already have lots of ideas for what to wear for your senior portraits. Or maybe you are a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of girl and haven’t even thought about it! Either way, planning ahead and thinking about a few details will help your session go smoothly, express your personal style and result in some beautiful images that you will love.   So, what are you going to do with these portraits? Senior year is an exciting time, and the coming months will be busy. You will need photos for the yearbook, announcements, gifts for family and friends, and even for sports and music awards, Linked-In and resumes. We will spend at least part of your session capturing those relaxed, classic portraits that will be perfect for the yearbook, your grandma’s wall, and all those other graduation-related necessities. We’ll do some fun shots too - laughing, splashing in the river, playing with your dog - to round out your gallery for a nice varied selection of images.

Let’s get started. Your session includes a set number of outfit changes. This is so we won't be rushed and will have enough time to get some nice photos in each outfit. The first stop is your closet. Pick out a few things that you love and try them on. Look in a mirror and ask yourself:

• Does it look good?

• Does it fit me?

• Does it flatter my body?

• Is it a great color for me?

• Do I feel awesome in it?

What kinds of outfits look good in photos? If you feel fantastic in it and it’s flattering, chances are it will look awesome! However, here are some specific tips: A lot of your photos will be headshots, so look at how it looks around the neckline. Watch out for super-soft, clingy knit fabrics. If you can clearly see lines from your bra or underwear in the mirror, your might not like how it looks in photos. To get a nice variety of poses, make sure that you can sit comfortably on the ground in at least one of your outfits. Short shorts and dresses limit the poses we can do, so try to bring some jeans or a longer dress too.

Colors

If you love it and it makes you look wonderful, go for it! Nature tones and jewel tones are always good - blues, greens, neutrals, flower and jewel colors. A dark cranberry red looks lovely with the colors outdoors. Even if you normally wear neutrals most of the time, consider including some soft colors for your portraits. Colors to avoid - neon and large amounts of bright solid shades of red, orange, neon pink and bright yellow (an orange pattern on your dress is awesome, but a solid OSU-orange t-shirt won’t be so great; a rich cranberry colored shirt is lovely, but solid firetruck red not so much - these colors don't photograph well, detract from your portraits and create reflected color casts on your skin). If you’re wondering about whether a favorite shirt will work, snap a quick phone pic and send it to me.

Details

Think about the details. A lot of your portraits will be from the waist up, so how does the top of your outfit look? Think about jewelry and accessories to finish your outfit. Textures photograph well - denim, floaty floral fabrics, lace, knitted textures. Sleeves Sleeve length is an important part of creating a versatile, finished look, and for photographs the most flattering choices will often be tops with sleeves. Pretty sleeveless dresses, tanks and camis can be beautiful too - maybe bring a little jacket or a cardigan to go with it so we can get a variety of looks with one outfit.

Accessories

Accessories bring a look together. Jackets, sweaters, belts, necklaces and earrings are the finishing touches of a well-thought-out look for your senior portraits. Use one or two accessories to complete an outfit and make it look polished. Don’t be tempted to overdo it, just go for a complete look. Some people look amazing with lots of accessories, and others are happier with an understated look. so be true to your personal style. A special bracelet or other piece of jewelry belonging to your mom or grandma is a really sweet touch.

Shoes

The right pair of shoes or boots can make an outfit. Boots can look great with the right dress or jeans. High heels or cute flats are always fun, too, when paired with the right top, skirt, or dress. Plan the shoes you are going to wear when you are planning your outfits and treat them as an accessory to make your look perfect. We will be walking around during your session, so if you’re bringing heels or delicate shoes, bring some flip flops or tennis shoes to walk in.

Grooming

Hair

Choose a style that can take a little outdoor activity and clothes-changing and still look good. Make sure you are comfortable and confident with the look. If you’re trying to choose between wavy or straight, wavy tends to photograph better in the sunlight.  But if straight is your thing, go for it! Bring an elastic if you might want to switch to a ponytail (but don’t keep it on your wrist.)

Nails

Whether you decide to go polished or natural, just don’t forget to give nails some special care. Soft, relatively neutral shades rather than wild hues are favored if you do choose the polished look.

Skin

Don’t go overboard with tanning or self-tanning products in the week before your session. Try not to get sunburned or develop suntan lines that will show with your outfits.

If you have any redness or blemishes, use a little concealer and then a light foundation or tinted moisturizer that matches your skin. Finish with some powder and a neutral, natural colored blush. Clean and Clear blotting sheets do an amazing job eliminating shine, and you can get them at Fred Meyer.

Makeup

Think fresh, natural, and finished. You want to look like yourself - just a little bit more polished! Local salons offer makeup application and this can be fun. If you do choose professional makeup, be very sure to tell them that you want a fresh, natural look for outdoor portraits.

Eyes

For your eyes, think natural and neutral. Avoid bright sparkly eye shadow and heavy black eyeliner on the inside or bottom of your eyes. Try to make your mascara nice and feathery. You might choose waterproof mascara if your eyes tend to water or if the weather is warm. Check carefully for specks and smudgies when you’re done - they do show in photos!

Lips

Don’t forget your lips! It’s very important to finish your makeup by applying a tinted chapstick, lip gloss or natural-colored lipstick. Skip anything super-sparkly, matte, dark or bright. Bring it with you to your session for touch-ups.

What to bring

In your bag . . .

• Lip gloss or balm in a natural tint - don’t forget this!
• Powder and/or blotting sheets
• Elastics if you want to change your hair style or if we’re going to a location that might be windy.
• Tissues
• Accessories to go with your outfits.
• Shoes for walking, if your shoes are delicate or hard to walk in.

Tell your story

Think about including clothing and accessories that can visually define your interests. Are any sports or hobbies a very important part of who you are? By including the props that make your activity or sport unique, you add an extra special dimension to your portraits. Think about bringing your soccer ball, musical instrument, cheer uniform, or track spikes. Bring your dog, or arrange to have your session at your horse barn. If you will not be continuing with your sport or instrument after high school, including it in your portraits is a nice sentimental touch. Think outside the box too. Bring your camera, your bike, your favorite art supplies, your favorite books, your car or your guitar.

Your family

Want to include the whole family? When the kids leave for college, it gets harder and harder to find the time for a family portrait. And you'll want a nice shot of the fam for your dorm room! Whether it's just a couple of quick shots or a more significant part of your session, I'm always happy to work this in for you. Whatever the case may be, I love it when you bring and think of things that are important to you. Your senior portraits are a celebration of your uniqueness, your accomplishments so far and your first steps out in to the world as an adult.