PLANNING YOUR SENIOR SESSION
choosing the perfect season, locations, outfits & more!
HELLO GORGEOUS
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
I’m SO excited that you chose me for your senior session! AH!! Below is lots of information regarding hair and makeup, outfit selection, what to expect at your session, and more. Please read it thoroughly!
Your session is going to begin at our makeup artist’s salon, please try your absolute best to arrive on time. As a natural light photographer, your senior session is scheduled around the time that we can shoot and the length of your session! If you are more than 30 minutes late to your session, we will have to reschedule.
Is there a "good" time to take pictures?
Senior sessions can take place anywhere from the summer before your senior year up until the spring when you graduate. I normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a senior has in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about three hours and when we can—we love to begin sessions about three hours before sunset. We prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches.
We schedule sessions during what we believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets harsher as it rises.
Seasons
While we shoot most of our senior sessions between June and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of our seniors choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Spring
Even though Spring begins in March, we typically don’t begin shooting for another 6 weeks because the weather in Iowa is still pretty chilly. But if you are seeking beautiful florals, look no further!
Summer
Despite the heat, we’re big fans of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 5 pm. If you’re taking your senior photos during the summer, we recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to stay fresh!
Fall
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year in the Midwest and because of the perfect weather, our schedules typically book up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall senior session, we recommend scheduling it as soon as you book!
Winter
We could begin shooting as early as 2 pm to catch the sunset! We recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
Destination Senior Sessions
While we take most of our senior sessions in the Iowa area, we are totally open to destination sessions! If you have a location in mind that is significant to you, let us know because if our schedules align, we might be able to take your senior photos outside of our normal area.
Travel fees may apply depending on the location and our availability.
Locations
We love when seniors choose a location for their session that complements their personality. The best session locations are often meaningful places to the senior; however, we’re also happy to make recommendations. From tourist towns to sunflower fields to apple picking and college campuses, the options for senior session locations are endless!
Classic & elegant
Old Capitol in Iowa City
Greenhouse
An old mansion
Winery or brewery
Rustic
The Amana Colonies
Vineyard
Flower or tree farm
Kent Park
URban
Downtown Cedar Rapids
Downtown Iowa City
Beachy
Palisades-Kepler State Park
Coralville Reservoir
Lake Macbride
Pets
My pets are a huge part of our family, which is why we love when seniors choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet-friendly location.
We recommend planning for your pet to be in the first part of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pet's favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
Outfits
Stuck on what to wear? I’m here to help! Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks to help you guide your outfit choices!
Choosing what you will wear for your photo shoot is a huge decision that can make or break your senior portrait session! I know that sounds dramatic…but, if you accidentally wear something that isn’t flattering on camera or something that you don’t feel confident in…it can ruin the experience for you! So, here are some of the best ways to choose what to wear.
Be Comfortable
If you do not like fitted clothing (super tight dresses or pieces that fit awkwardly) then leave them at home! Personally, I try to steer clear of items that are fitted in the tummy area (don’t we all?) just because it makes me self-conscious and I’m constantly wondering if it looks bad. So, if there are pieces in your closet that make you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable, don’t include them in your senior portrait wardrobe!
Additionally, we will most likely be sitting on the ground, laying down, walking and doing other things that could be difficult if your clothing is uncomfortable!
Add Layers
In the cold months (fall + winter), adding layers to your outfits always looks stunning in portraits! A turtle-neck sweater with a long coat paired with dainty necklaces adds so much dimension to your images and makes for super fun posing options!
Play with Textures
Sometimes textures like leather, furs, and plaid can be considered "daring" or "over the top" but, in portraits, they are the BEST! Adding texture to your outfit makes the biggest difference, and it prevents the images from looking dull! Combining textures that you may not normally use together like leather + cable knit sweaters or velvet + fur make GREAT pairs!
Don't be afraid to accessorize
During a senior session or any photo shoot, the more the merrier!! Nothing breaks an awesome outfit like no accessories - they are like the icing on top of the cake! When planning your outfits, don’t forget to plan accessories!! Dainty bracelets + necklaces, statement earrings, hats, and other add-ons can make an outfit!
Mix it up!
When planning your outfits, make sure that you have a VARIETY of looks! I tell all of my seniors to choose from these categories: casual, cozy, dressy, school-related, sports-related, preppy or edgy. I always recommend choosing 3-4 of those categories and finding outfits accordingly. This provides a beautiful array of looks during your senior portrait session, so each outfit looks dramatically different!
Makeup + Nails
Professional makeup is included for all of our senior girls! Makeup allows us to bring out the features of your face, perfect texture and skin tone of the final image. All makeup, tools, and eyelashes are provided from the makeup artist. Whether you are wanting a natural or glam look, it is very important to us that your makeup feels like YOU!
So why exactly is it so important?
They are trained professionals
When you are investing in a professional photographer, you want to make sure that the images look their absolute best. Professional makeup artists are TRAINED to do hair + makeup so that they photograph well.
While your makeup may look AMAZING in person, it will look completely different on-camera, and these professionals are trained to know the difference! They will conceal spots you don’t like, contour your face so it looks the best in every light, use colors that complement your skin to make it look flawless, make your eyes POP with false lashes + shadows, manicure your eyebrows to perfection, and more!
Who doesn't like being pampered?
I don’t ever want my seniors to feel like their portrait session is just simply "taking pictures", I want it to be an EXPERIENCE. So, if my seniors have spent an hour of being pampered + beautified, the entire experience has already started on a good note! If a senior arrives frustrated or stressed, it can affect the entire experience, including the way you look in photographs!
Don't neglect the nails!
And, one last tip!! In all of the chaos of senior session prep…don’t forget to pamper your nails! During your shoot, a lot of the poses we do will have your hands close to your face and in the frame, so make sure that your nails look just how you want! Try to avoid any chipped polish or crazy patterns. Light/natural colors and even nails with no color at all photograph best!!
Inclement Weather
We’ll check in the week of your senior session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for an senior session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let us know what works best for you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.
Props
If you’re planning to bring props to your senior session, we recommend including them only if they’re meaningful to you. Shots of drinking coffee at a local coffee shop would be cute if that’s where you study a lot, and sports images can provide a lot of variety to your session!
"What do I do with my hands?"
When it comes to posing for your senior session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process, beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If we tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because we know it’s going to make you laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.
Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup, and outfits to make sure things stay in place. We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time with us!
Thank you!
We know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your senior session!
I am SO excited to work together!!!
XOXO, Lily