Senior Session Preparation Guide
Your senior year deserves to be remembered.
Your senior session is all about you—your personality, your style, your interests, and this exciting chapter of your life. This guide will help you prepare, choose outfits, gather props, and plan a session that feels completely personal to you.
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BEFORE YOUR SESSION
✦ Start with your outfits
For a full senior session, I recommend bringing 2-3 outfits so we can create a variety of looks.
Try to include a mix of:
Casual
* Jeans + a cute top
* T-shirt + sneakers
* Flannel or sweatshirt
* Something that feels like your everyday style
Dressy
* Dress, skirt, or jumpsuit
* Button-up + nice pants
* Suit or dress clothes
* Heels, boots, or dress shoes
Something YOU
* Your favorite outfit
* School/team uniform
* Hobby-related clothing
* Something that represents your personality
A few outfit tips:
* Solid colors photograph beautifully.
* Neutrals, earth tones, soft colors, and muted tones are always great choices.
* Avoid large logos and distracting graphics unless they are meaningful to you.
* Layers add variety—jackets, cardigans, flannels, sweaters, etc.
* Don’t forget accessories!
* Make sure everything is clean, wrinkle-free, and comfortable.
Pro tip: Lay out all of your outfits before your session and make sure your shoes and accessories coordinate with each one.
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WHAT TO BRING
You definitely don’t need to bring everything on this list! Choose the items that actually represent YOU.
School
* Cap & gown
* Graduation cords
* Stoles
* Letterman jacket
* Varsity jacket
* School sweatshirt
* School jersey
* Class ring
* Diploma or graduation announcements
* Sports medals or awards
Sports
* Jersey
* Uniform
* Sports equipment
* Basketball
* Football
* Soccer ball
* Baseball/softball glove
* Hockey equipment
* Tennis racket
* Dance shoes
* Cheer uniform
* Medals or trophies
Hobbies & Interests
Think about what makes you you!
* Musical instruments
* Art supplies
* Books
* Camera
* Fishing gear
* Hunting gear
* Horse/riding equipment
* Skateboard
* Gaming accessories
* Baking/cooking items
* Favorite hobby-related items
Vehicles
If you have a vehicle that is important to you, bring it!
* Car
* Truck
* Motorcycle
* Classic vehicle
* ATV
We can incorporate it into a few portraits without making the entire session about it.
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PERSONAL PROPS
Some of the best senior portraits come from the little things.
Consider bringing:
♡ Your favorite book
♡ Flowers or a bouquet
♡ Sunglasses
♡ A favorite hat
♡ Jewelry
♡ Polaroids or old photographs
♡ Your favorite drink
♡ A stuffed animal from childhood
♡ A meaningful family item
♡ Your pet
♡ Anything that represents an important part of your story
Don’t worry if your idea seems silly! If it’s important to you, let’s find a way to incorporate it.
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WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
Your senior session doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s.
We can create a session around a theme or aesthetic.
Some ideas:
Classic & Timeless
Clean outfits, simple backgrounds, soft natural light.
Country / Western
Jeans, boots, hats, horses, fields, barns, trucks.
Feminine & Romantic
Dresses, flowers, soft colors, beautiful outdoor locations.
Edgy & Editorial
Dark outfits, urban locations, dramatic lighting, bold poses.
Athletic
Uniforms, equipment, stadiums, courts, fields.
Creative
Paint, books, instruments, unique locations, colorful outfits.
Golden Hour
Warm light, fields, open spaces, and dreamy portraits.
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WHAT NOT TO WORRY ABOUT
You don’t have to know how to pose.
You don’t have to be a model.
You don’t have to know what to do with your hands.
You don’t have to feel comfortable in front of the camera right away.
That’s my job.
I’ll guide you through posing, movement, locations, and different expressions throughout your session.
We’ll take plenty of photos, try different poses, and figure out what looks and feels the most natural for you.
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YOUR SENIOR SESSION CHECKLIST
Before leaving home:
☐ Outfits
☐ Shoes
☐ Jewelry & accessories
☐ Hair & makeup supplies
☐ Props
☐ Cap & gown
☐ Graduation cords/stoles
☐ Sports equipment
☐ Hobby items
☐ Water
☐ Touch-up makeup
☐ Hairbrush
☐ Any sentimental items
Most importantly:
☐ Come ready to have fun
☐ Come as yourself
☐ Trust the process
☐ Bring your personality
☐ Let’s make some memories!
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ONE LAST THING…
Your senior portraits don’t have to be perfect.
They should be personal.
Years from now, I want you to look back at your gallery and remember not only what you looked like, but who you were at this point in your life.
Bring the things you love.
Wear the things that make you feel confident.
Choose locations that mean something to you.
And let me take care of the rest.
I can’t wait to create something you’ll love.