Congratulations on starting your senior year of finishing high school! It’s time to take your senior portrait!
Are you looking to take your senior portrait to mark your graduation from high school? Congratulations! The senior year marks a milestone for a young person as it’s your last year with your friends. Also, it might be the last year you stay at home with your parents for those going to college. So this deserves a big celebration.
And while it’s easy to take quick shots with today’s smartphone cameras, you might want to mark this momentous passage with a professional-looking senior portrait shot.
Why should we take a professional senior portrait?
Senior portraits can also customize graduation announcements, apart from a precious visual memory of a youth’s transition into young adulthood. They’re a great way to send your grandparents, family friends, and everyone else who cannot be with you and wants to celebrate your joy.
Rather than boring headshots in a photographer’s studio, the right photographer can help to capture your personality in the photos. And you may want to take them outdoors, especially in Seattle, where there are many excellent outdoor photography places(link).
Now that you’re convinced why a senior portrait is a good idea, here are some Dos and Don’ts to help you look your best on the day of photo-taking!
Do:
- Consider professional makeup and hair
You might be a pro at putting makeup on yourself, but the experts know how best to enhance your features. Since you’ll keep this photograph, it’s best to budget for professional makeup and hair to help you feel and look good.
If you work with a professional photographer, they can also refer you to the best ones in the area. For those in Seattle, check out here. Keala has won multiple awards, and she will help you prepare for your big day by referring you to the best hair and makeup services!
- Choose a location that you feel comfortable in
Where do you feel most comfortable showcasing your unique talents and personality? Here are some suggestions that you can consider. If you’re often shopping downtown or hanging out with your skate buddies in the city area, then perhaps taking your senior portraits at visually exciting spots in the city is best for you. Around the town, old warehouses, loading docks, and well-worn buildings lend a thrilling rawness to your senior portraits. The contrast between your youthful, well-dressed self and the rough background lends a nice edge. Of course, if there’s a wall with graffiti that speaks to you, you can consider that too!
Or do you feel more at home in Nature? Whether you prefer to picnic in parks or smell the roses in the gardens, you might want to consider this setting if that’s where you usually go. The background of trees and ponds is naturally beautiful, especially if you like a blurred background.
If you prefer to take your senior year photos at home, that’s also a good place to take your senior year photos. In fact, your home may be the best place if you feel most comfortable there. Perhaps you have a favorite reading corner, or you like your themed bedroom and want to remember your growing-up years. By taking photos of it, you’ll keep a precious memory of how your house appears in this last year of being at home.
Your location will affect what you get to wear and how you are presented in the photos. So work with your photographer and ask for recommendations!
- Schedule your senior portrait early
When it comes to weather in Seattle, the rain will affect your plans. You don’t want mascara running down your cheeks or your carefully gelled hair ruined. So scheduling your photography sessions early in the year helps your photographer plan the best timings for your shot, especially if it is outdoors.
If you take your senior portraits outdoors in Nature, the seasons will also affect your location choice. For example, from March to May, the rain in Seattle lessens, and the weather is nice and cool. If you start your senior year in September, take your photos at some point in July to October. Check with your school on your yearbook deadline. To get a slot in Summer and Fall, make sure to book in the spring of your junior year.
So don’t wait till the peak weeks (usually during the last weeks of school) to book a photographer. Unfortunately, your favorite photographer might not have a slot for you!
Don’ts:
- Stress or be shy about expressing your needs and wants
Ultimately, this is meant to be an experience of a lifetime. So do share with your photographer what you like and dislike.
You can consider bringing props such as your dance shoes or your guitar that highlight your unique interests. And once you’re in front of the camera, just relax and be your most natural self. If it helps, consider letting your siblings or parents in on the fun! They will surely love to be part of your senior portrait session.
Of course, that means finding the right photographer that you feel most comfortable working with. So don’t be afraid to find a photographer in Seattle and contact them. The initial
If you are in Seattle, contact us! As a photographer, Keala focuses on showcasing true emotions. She will guide you with small movements, helping you find your most natural pose. Every session makes photos look timeless, without colored filters or unnecessary edits. It’s all about keeping it effortless and organic, so you’ll have a senior portrait memory for years to come!
