5 Senior Portrait Tips

If you are the parent of a senior or soon-to-be-senior, you probably had one of two kinds of senior portrait taken when you were in school.

The first is the standard school photo, just with a nicer outfit than you wore when you were younger. The photographer was probably set up in the school gym or cafeteria, and put you through a couple poses while you forced a smile, and that was that.

The other option was…”artsy.” You went outside on the school grounds, leaned against a tree (maybe even hugged it), and the photographer put you through a couple poses while you forced a smile, and that was that.

A Senior Photo vs. Senior Portrait

These are senior photos. They offer consistency for the yearbook, and makes it possible for the photographer to get photos of the entire school in a reasonable time. While your school may still take senior photos like these, a senior portrait is altogether different. Here are five tips to help you get the most out of your session and come away with images you (and your senior) will cherish.

Tip 1: Make it personal

While yearbook photos are assembly line, your portraits are all about senior and their personality. It’s a time to celebrate achievements, interests, and the unique person your senior has grown to become. The outfits you choose, props, locations, and even poses should all reflect their personality. Your senior may have just spent years playing a sport, an instrument, or pursuing some endeavor without any real visual record of their efforts. Your daughter is a soccer player? Then bring the cleats, her uniform, and a ball and let’s get some “action” shots. Your son is a cellist? Great! Let’s incorporate that into some cool images. Is your senior an artist, and a bit of a “free spirit”? Then by all means let’s find a location that fits and helps compliment who your senior is.

Senior portraits are not just about capturing a smiling face; they are about telling a story. It's about celebrating achievements, looking towards the future, and remembering the journey that led to this moment.

Tip 2: Have fun

Getting your photo taken can feel awkward. Some people don’t like to be the center of attention or the sense of everyone looking at them. Even if your senior is shy, it doesn’t have to be like this. What you are paying your photographer for is not just the images, but their ability to quickly build a rapport with the subject, to make them feel at ease, and walk them through different poses naturally. I promise, the whole experience really can be fun!

Parents, you play a big role in this too. When you are planning for your session, be sure to talk with your senior about what they want in terms of wardrobe, setting, style, etc. Let them have a voice in the process. Yes, the photos are largely for you and your loved ones, but it’s their photo being taken.

Tip 3: Plan

Have a plan for the whole experience. This starts with choosing your photographer and booking a date early. It’s always great checking things off of your to-do list, and trust me, as a father who has gone through four senior years, your list will be a long one.

Once you’ve chosen your photographer, talk with them about the session. Share your vision and any ideas you have for the shoot. Once you have a plan in place, don’t wait until the last minute to pull together the wardrobe and any props you want to include.

Finally, for the day of the shoot, don’t over-schedule the day. Leave time before and after your session so you aren’t rushing around. I even send a “preparing for your shoot” guide to my clients to help them get the most out of their session.

Tip 4: Trust your photographer

Sometimes a client comes in with a very specific plan. Like, set-in-stone, forged-in-steel specific, and isn’t open to anything else. That’s perfectly fine, and your photographer should be willing to work with that. But this inflexible plan may not lead to the best possible images. Your photographer has likely taken tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of photos. They may see something during the shoot or recall something from a previous session that could work really well with your senior. Be open to their ideas and direction.

Tip 5: Where you get your prints from matters

We all want to save money when we can. Getting prints at the local drugstore or big box store might seem like a good idea. Cheap and fast. But like the old adage goes: “Good, Fast, Cheap. You can only pick two.”

If your photographer offers prints, they should be using a reputable, professional photo lab. Yes, you might spend slightly more, but they are often very fast, and the quality is hands-down better. These labs ensure superb color and consistency from print to print, and the physical quality is superior, ensuring your prints stay better looking for more years.

Have a senior?

if you have a senior or senior-to-be, I’d love to work with you! At Jeff Brown Photography, I understand the importance of senior portraits and strive to create a comfortable and relaxed environment for our clients.

Whether it's a traditional studio setting or a fun outdoor location, I aim to create timeless images that reflect the essence of each senior. From classic poses to more creative and candid shots, I tailor each session to suit the individual preferences of my clients.

Contact us today to schedule your senior portrait session and capture the magic of this important milestone in your life.