It’s your child’s junior year, and you might start hearing the words “Senior Yearbook Photos” being thrown around at school! This might send your senior into a tizzy with so much that needs to be planned, and of course, it needs to happen now! Let’s talk about how to make your teen’s senior session one that brings peace of mind to you both, and still results in images that their friends will talk about for months!
Step 1: Create an inspiration board
When you were a teenager planning something this big, you may have cut things out of a magazine and put it in a little booklet to bring your vision to life. Pinterest is a popular option to collect inspiration, and of course, so is TikTok. From outfits, to hairstyles, venues, and props- there are one million different ways you can plan this session! Your teen’s style is something so unique to them, and if they’re playing sports or an instrument, they might want to incorporate them to show off their unique personality.
Step 2: Book a photographer (the earlier the better!)
Am I biased to say this? No, I just have that inside knowledge! Photographers (especially GOOD photographers) book up quickly! Spring start off with a BANG, and not every photographer captures the same type of images that another does. Are you looking for a lighter style with pastels and whites, or a bold and colorful photographer that can capture the style that your teen has put together? Photographers vary in style, availability, and budget. So start your search early so that you’re not compromising on your teen’s portraits.
Step 3: Decide on your outfits!
Here is where your photographer comes in handy, and assuming you have a professional who knows her stuff, she’ll have a Style Guide that she can offer you. This will help your teen understand what they need to bring, the amount of outfits that will fit into your time with the photographer, and where you can find the outfits that will give your teen that tremendous confidence. Ask if your photographer even has a Client Closet – maybe they can borrow an outfit from the photographer and you end up saving yourself $150 on a new outfit! Don’t forget to bring diverse outfits; one outfit should be a fun and confident look, one should be classy and celebratory, and the last one should be their cap and gown! After all, in a senior session… you’re celebrating graduating!!
Step 4: Are we bringing props?
Your teen has spent four years of their life in high school, trying new sports, clubs, and meeting amazing (and not so amazing) people. Just like planning their class ring, this session should be an extension of them and everything they have accomplished during their time in high school. Were they on the soccer team, color guard, or maybe chess club? Are they a lover of the arts, and want to bring that into their portraits? Maybe they play the violin or flute, and they’re looking to incorporate that into their portraits. The possibilities? Endless. If you have an experienced photographer that captures these moments for your teen in their senior session, she will take care of you, and prep you for all of these possibilities so that you’re not walking this planning process alone.
Do you feel a little bit more confident when it comes to planning your senior’s photo shoot? We covered the details of booking an absolutely gorgeous session, and with the way it’s going, you’re going to be hanging these portraits on your wall and sending them to everyone you love. Why not make sure that these are pictures that truly represent your teen?
Are you looking to book your teen’s senior session now? Even if they are a junior and you’re ready to get on the calendar now, let’s start the process by inquiring on my website! I’ll walk you through the process, the timing, and everything in between.
Miranda Eorio is a Lancaster photographer serving local families. As a mother and wife, she understands the importance of every portrait. You’ll take these portraits, hang them on your walls, send them out for Holidays, see them every day. When you look at these portraits you’re going to be reminded of the happiness you felt during your session, and the love that emanates from your family. Her job is to capture those feelings, the smiles, and the laughs to give you a portrait that reflects your family at their happiest. Join countless Lancaster Pa families & book your own family portraits with Miranda.
