For most parents, senior pictures 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.

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 2 weeks to receive the final images, so plan accordingly.

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 – unless your session is done in studio.

You may have a specific idea about the photos you would like to see, but this is about your Senior 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 pictures should represent who they are and what they love.

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.  We actually will send you a questionnaire to complete that allows us to get to know your senior – just remember – have them fill it out – not you 🙂

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.