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Get to know your senior!
Questionnaires are a great way to understand who your senior is! Without asking questions about her favorite sports, what she wants to be, her favorite kind of music, you won’t capture the real her. The answers to these questions will help you plan the perfect session. {Get a senior questionnaire here}
Location is everything!
So you’ve booked the session but where do you photograph her? Well, of course you did my first tip which was getting to know your senior and you asked what type of gal she is, correct?! Then your location information is right in front of you! If your senior says she is a country gal then you find a local barn, ask for permission of course, and shoot her in the environment that brings out her personality. If she is a city girl, find a out town with lots of brick texture and even maybe some fun graffiti! Location is one of the most important parts of a senior session, you want to capture who she is and stimulates her creativity! You can find textures in almost any location, utilize what you have!
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Research!
Ask your senior to do something they are really good at – Internet roaming & looking through magazines. Have her share with you what style photographs she loves. This will inspire her and give you some insight into her style!
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Bring some goodies!
Ask your senior to bring a little bag with some lipgloss or chapstick and a brush to do touch-ups. Making your senior feel like a star will make her feel comfortable in front of the camera.
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Multiple clothing choices!
Casual and high fashion will give you plenty of looks to choose from. With casual day wear you can have jeans, fun tops and great accessories. With high fashion you can go a little more dressy, such as a black dress and fun sassy shoes. Encourage at least 3 different looks.
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Accessories are a girls best friend!
Planning accessories with outfits can give you many different looks. It is best to ask your senior to bring multiple sets of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, scarves and little jackets to change things up quickly.
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Pump up the jam!
You asked your senior what her favorite music is … well you should have! Now play it during your session. You will see the fun side of her come out! Pandora on your cell phone will do the trick.
Release the tension!
Being nervous can be read in the forehead. Remind your senior to give you a soft face. She will feel the tension and be able to loose it up, giving a better and stronger facial expression.
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Do what she loves best – CHAT!
Keep communicating, keep telling her how gorgeous she is, keep saying “wow”, “nice”, “amazing”! Giving good feedback during the session will make her feel receptive and open, providing you will great results! Make her feel like you are her friend!
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Give her the LCD peek!
If you just took an amazing photograph, SHOW IT! You don’t have to do this every time, but a little reassurance goes a long way! This will boost her self-esteem and know that she is rocking it just like you say she is. This will put her and mom in a relaxed state.
Ask for both looks, the vogue & sassy and the fun & free laugh!
Making sure that you ask for both faces will give her a variety of photos- some that she feels like a model in and those that grandma will put in a frame on her wall!
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Don’t forget the profile photo too!!!
Ask her to look away just a bit, not too much or you will have the ‘all white’ eyes. I ask that my client look just a few feet to my side, over my shoulder. I then change my position to get multiple styles of the profile. Again, make sure you are not getting too much white in the eye, you want to see both pupils!
Start with a sitting pose.
Nothing is more awkward than standing in front of someone you don’t know and then they tell you to “pose”. This will get you off on the wrong foot. Start with everyone sitting and relaxed. That means you too! Have her sit against a wall and while you are getting “test shots” start with some fun chatter. Tell her there is nothing to fear, you are just doing some awesome Facebook profile pics, oh and shooting the next cover of Vogue!
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Coach your senior and tell them to “own it”!
Your client will look to your for direction. It will be important to SHOW your senior where and how you want them to sit, even if you put yourself into the spot first. Then tell them to use your direction but to switch it up a bit to make it feel like they are owning it. Remember: If it bends, bend it!!! As the photographer look at hands and feet to ensure it doesn’t look unnatural!
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I have a senior session this weekend and these tips will be very helpful.