Senior Sessions FAQ and Tips


Tips For Better Portraits
  • Please, Get plenty of rest the night before your appointment!
  • Avoid Sunburn ... Too much sun results in harsh glare in your pictures. This cannot be retouched.
    Deep tans will also produce this effect. Tan-lines can only be corrected by corrective retouching at additional cost.
    Please use sunscreen on your nose, ears and cheeks Two Weeks prior to your session.
  • Don't try a new haircut for your pictures. Do get a trim a couple weeks prior to your appointment. Go with what works for you. Try something new later.
  • Make-Up: Some foundation to smooth out any blemishes will also diminish shine.
    Please avoid using Lipstick or Makeup with Glitter for your portraits!
  • If you wear glasses ... Please Get a pair of matching frames without lenses from your optometrist. Lights glare and sky reflections will be billed $40 additional if we are to remove these from your pictures.
    If you have the new anti-fatigue coating for electronic screen protection you must get frames without lenses. The purple tint over your eyes cannot be fixed otherwise.
  • Guys, a good shave before your session will look best. If you do not wear a beard all the time, please shave! If it's a new look you plan to go with, you may have some poses with and then without... "It's a compromise!"
  • Clothing selection - Mostly anything goes! We will match your outfits to backgrounds and colors matching your personality and style.
  • Long sleeves photograph best.
  • Short sleeves are acceptable outdoors. Clothing without sleeves (including spaghetti straps) show a lot of skin which will add a heavier perception to your pictures. If you are concerned about how your arms or legs will appear in your photos (with regard to perceived size/heaviness) ...don't wear anything sleeveless.
  • Wrinkles show! Make sure your shirts and pants are clean and neatly on hangers to transport to the studio. So that hangers do not stretch sweaters, please fold those to bring with your other clothes.
  • DON'T STUFF YOUR CLOTHES into a bag on your way out the door to your appointment!
  • T-Shirts: Guys- Bring unprinted matching color t-shirts to wear under buttondown shirts.  Dark under Dark; White under Light.
  • "Do I have to wear a tie?" No... it's your portraits, it's your style. We can help you tie it if you don't know how :)
  • Color is one of your most important decisions. Choose colors in clothing that are complimentary to your skin tone. Earth tones are best for outdoor portraits.
  • SHOES: Shoes are very welcome to be included as part of your outfit. In most cases, however, the focus will be above the knee, and especially for most of our outdoor locations, please bring a sensible pair of shoes for walking. Lakeside and off-road locations are not places for brand new white school shoes or dress heels...an old pair of shoes would be suggested.
    ABOUT RETOUCHING: Basic skin blemishes such as acne, eye or neck wrinkles, moles and scars are cleaned up during portrait finishing. Work to remove or correct stray hair, clothing wrinkles, whitening teeth, shadows caused by hair, glitter used as makeup, bruises, and other similar corrections will require additional charge.
    Tattoos/Scars : If you would like tattoos to show (or not,) just tell us. Scars can be removed or softened by request, but are not automatically included in retouching.

    HOW TO MAKE YOUR SESSION STAND OUT! Bring accessories (No Charge) such as sunglasses, coats, leather jackets, hats, sports stuff (uniforms, balls, bats, trophies, etc.), musical instruments, collections, posters and artwork, stuffed animals, pets (if housebroken; check with the studio ahead of time, cats should be in a carrier), a car, a friend, your phone... anything that says "This is me!"

    Also, you may bring examples of your favorite portraits of your friends, or from any you have seen online or in magazines. Make suggestions, it's all good to add to the variety we want to provide.




    • Successful senior photography takes time and planning

    ...please feel free to call and discuss anything you may have questions about
    regarding your senior photo session. You're very welcome to help design
    your own photographs by bringing your own ideas and props, too.














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