Senior year for high school students is an exciting and busy time as students busily work on college applications, standardized tests, extracurriculars, athletics, and the final year of academics before launching into their next adventure. Additionally, adding senior portraits to their schedules causes many students to become overwhelmed.
So, it's good to connect with your photographer and plan the senior portrait experience. Having a well-planned session will not only be more fun and relaxing, but it will yield the best senior portraits.
It's always good to ask about location, wardrobe, and any other recommendations your photographer may offer. The more you know, the better the results. Here are some of my best tips for a portrait session.

1.  Hair – Arrive at your portrait session styled and ready for the camera. 

 For guys, fresh haircuts should happen a few days before your headshot, and for gals, salons that offer blowouts or styling may be a good option. Eyebrows should be trimmed and shaped as well.  

2. Clothing- Depending on your session, you many want to bring at least three outfit changes, and make sure clothing is clean and pressed. Solid-color shirts work best, but a little bit of pattern is ok. Medium tones work best, and jewel-colored solids look great! 

Wear clothing with sleeves, as bare arms may detract from your face. Wearing layers such as jackets or outerwear give good texture and variety to images.  Also, don't be afraid to bring hats, scarves, sunglasses, or even musical instruments or sporting equipment to add interest to your images.  

Finally, make sure your wardrobe complements your location in order to have a cohesive look in your images.

3.  Jewelry- Keep it simple. 

Choose jewelry that is classic and minimal. Large pieces will detract from the face.  Also, feel free to bring different items to wear with different outfits.  Also, make sure to remove hairbands from your wrists and cell phones from your pockets as they are distracting in portraits.

4.  Glasses - Make sure glasses are clean and in good repair.  

5. Makeup- Try to avoid sunscreens or dewy makeup as they tend to look shiny. Bring lip balm to help conceal/avoid dry or chapped lips.  

6. Be well rested and hydrated- Both will ensure you look your best on photoshoot day!

7. Location- Find a location that speaks to your personality and vision for what you have planned for your portraits.  Make sure to find a place that offers a variety of background options in a short walking distance.  Also, some locations require permits or fees in order to photograph there, so you should discuss this with your photographer.

8. Talk to your photographer- Make sure to let your photographer know if you have a favorite side of your face or if there are other issues you are concerned about.  Planning on the front end always makes for a better experience.