I’ve compiled a list of tips and advice for you to help make your session as fun and stress free as possible.

Bring all the things you might need!

You should plan on bringing several outfits to your session. An hour session allows for around 2 outfit changes depending on the shoot location and time frame. Be sure to bring a good variety of outfits that make sense for your session location. Go through the options with your family/friends the night before the session. Coordinate what you’re wearing with me during the set up time and your desired ‘look’ for the shoot! 

Keep your clothing visually simple!

Don’t bring outfits with logos, crazy prints, words, stripes, or pictures. I want your face, eyes and expression to be the focus, not the logo on your shirt! 

Also make sure the color of your undershirt coordinate well with your outfits and don’t show through your clothing. If you need a strapless, please bring one to your session. Tucking or moving straps will not always work, you probably don’t want a hot pink bra strap showing. :)

Color counts!

Solid colors or mellow patterns look great and are not too distracting. Colors that go well with a medium or dark background for close-ups include medium or dark tones of green, brown, rust, wine or blue. Darker colors tend to make people look slimmer. Try not to wear flesh-tone or neutral colors such as beige, or tan as these can dominate the picture and make you look washed out.

For the outdoor shoots, you want to dress based on where we are located. For nature locations textured fabrics and seasonal colors work well. For urban/city locations, feel free to dress up a bit, layering always looks great and adds depth. Try to choose colors that will pop against the city scene.

Wardrobe!

Use clothing to your advantage, bring out your best features.

Girls, we all have features we either love or dislike about ourselves. Be careful of the clothing styles and how they will make you look and feel. You might consider avoiding sleeveless tops if you have bigger arms, wear a dress if you have long legs, heals/wedges if you’re on the shorter side, high necklines to hide cleavage, empire waisted tops for bigger middles, high waisted pants for smooth lines, etc. Are you with me so far?

Less is more with jewelry!

Avoid wearing big and chunky jewelry. Again, we want the focus on your face, eyes and personality, AVOID crazy long dangling earrings.

Also, jewelry can date a photograph very quickly. Stay away from trendy pieces, classic jewelry is best.

Makeup!

Go au-naturale with your makeup. EASY ON THE LASHES!

While you want to amp up the coverage a little bit, you want your makeup to look like it normally does day to day. Bring your makeup with you on the shoot and let your photographer know you have it just in case. AVOID  GLITTER AND ANYTHING SPARKLY (powder, eye shadow, blush) – it doesn’t photograph well and makes your skin seem splotchy and uneven. Natural lips tend to look the best, AVOID crazy glossy coverage and deep or bright pinks and reds. Lastly, Bring Powder – You can get warm during your shoot changing and posing, you don’t want a shiny forehead in your final images!

Side note – Please don’t be concerned about minor breakouts. If your acne is more severe, you’re okay. I will remove all of that during editing.

Your hair knows best!

Well your senior portraits are not the time to try one out. Avoid experimental hairstyles, amp up the styles you wear on a regular basis for a natural look that represents you and how people remember you. Play with your hairstyles a few days before the photoshoot to get the look you want in advance. Make sure to get that haircut no less than a week in advance to give your hair a chance to adjust and look natural.

Final Tip - Bring extra hair ties, bobby pins, a mirror, a brush, makeup, and anything else you think you might need to freshen up during the photoshoot.

Nails!

Your hands will be in those close ups. Your hands will end up in some of your favorite poses, so be sure to take the time to make them presentable.

Go to the mirror and practice those facial expressions!

YES. Seriously! Before you go to the photo shoot, practice your facial expressions in front of a mirror at home. Try a variety of expressions to see what you like and don’t like. Figure out what expressions you like and don’t like so you feel more comfortable when you’re in front of the camera. 

Practice Posing!

I will give you plenty of direction with posing, but it will help if you to try out different stances and positions at home, in front of a mirror, or by asking for feedback from a friend or family member. The overall goal is to feel like yourself and not forced.

Personalize your photos with props!

Props are an awesome way to bring your personal style and interests into your shoot. Think sports equipment if you are a team player or fan, musical instruments, or hobby items. You can even bring a favorite portable piece of furniture, such as a lightweight chair or stool. Bring different outfits that you wear while doing those hobbies such as ballet shoes, yoga gear, football jerseys, baseball hats, etc. Think outside the box and bring sheets of music, your dog!, your favorite book, the sky’s the limit!

Bring a friend! I CANNOT LEGALLY DO A PHOTOSHOOT WITH A MINOR WITHOUT A PARENT/GUARDIAN (Over the age of 21 with government ID which I will photograph)

I ask you to bring a parent and friend so that they can help make you relax and take a natural picture. That person can also help with clothing changes and “double check” you while you’re being photographed to make sure your clothing hasn’t taken a turn for the worse or that your hair hasn’t come all undone. They can also bring up those funny inside joke moments and get you laughing with is always a great shot.

Speak up!

Communication is key! If you really don’t like a certain setting or pose, say so!  You should be 100% satisfied with your photos, and I am not a mind reader, we need you to communicate with us. Help us help you! ;)

Some last words:

Other students who have had their pictures taken already can offer tips from their experience. The bottom line is that planning ahead will make you more relaxed and confident walking into your session.

Try on different  outfits at home before deciding which ones to take and do it ahead of time. Feel free to ask us anything and everything, our number one goal is for you to feel prepared, comfortable, and have fun!

If you have any questions text me at (347) 453-1121

Enrique