Most senior sessions are done outdoors. In order to get the best light possible, most sessions are shot about 1-1.5 hours after sunrise or 1.5 hours before sunset. This time may change to an earlier start if you choose one of the longer senior session times. Therefore, the session times change based on the time of year and also by locations. Locations with lots of shade can work for longer periods of the day.

In the winter, sessions usually are scheduled for 9am and 4pm. In the summer, sessions are generally scheduled at 8 or 8:30am (it's hot out there) and 6 or 6:30 pm. We will choose the time that works best for both you, the location and the lighting outside at that time of year.

The most popular question I get asked is "What do we wear?" Seniors have so many wonderful choices and things to choose from that this is usually an easier part of getting ready for the session. I have listed some tips on what looks great in photographs that will hopefully help in your clothing choices. But, there are also clothing to avoid that are important to keep in mind when planning your outfits. Sometimes, the cutest outfit in person just does not photograph well. I will be happy to look through some options to pick out will flatter the senior best in the photographs. I love when seniors bring/have available many different options to together choose the best options for senior portraits.

THINGS THAT LOOK GREAT IN PHOTOGRAPHS:

• Solid shirts
• Dark denim (for pants)
• Bright colors and dark colors
• Layered looks aregreat! It is fun to pair shirts with cute jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats and of course fun jewelry. Layered clothing gives the look a very coordinated feel and it is easy to incorporate accent colors in parts of the outfit without having the colors you chose be so prominent for every person. Also, a layered look counts as only one outfit so we can get more variety to the session by adding an accessory or removing a jacket or sweater to reveal the shirt underneath.
• Textures look wonderful in photographs and they can also work on interesting hats, belts, jackets and scarves.
• People often ask what are the favorite colors are to photograph. They would be hot pink, red, sunshine yellow, burnt orange and any bright or dark shade of blue.
• Bring a variety of color so that we can pair certain colors to certain backdrops/walls/set-ups and a variety of styles form casual to dressy.
• When planning your outfit, think head to toe as we will be taking full length portraits as well as close ups.

There are some great senior clothing ideas here: http://pinterest.com/nichole_poulos/senior-clothin...

THINGS TO AVOID WEARING:

• Sparkly eye makeup
• Low cut tops
• Clothes that don't fit well (Clothes that are too big look saggy and do not show off your form as well. Clothes that are too small will show off more than you want). I have had many girls over the past few years feel like one particular outfit made them seem bigger than they really are in pictures and usually this is because the item was too big on a small frame. Fitted clothes look best. If no other clothing options are available, we try to pin and clip the item to fit the senior better.
• The least favorite colors to photograph are white and nude/flesh
• color and anything similar to your skin tone. For many people, this can drain the color out of their face and therefore you will have a washed out look.
• Baby doll tops and dresses (as cute as these are in person) do not
• photograph well and make people appear heavier than they are.
• Be sure nails are clean and if you have on nail polish, it needs to be chip-free.
• Florescent Colors - they will leave a color cast on your skin that can not be edited out.
• Gingham, seersucker and other small prints (small prints look busy and take over the person in the picture. In addition, they sometimes create a moire pattern which makes the photograph look strange). Tan lines are a distraction and limit the outfits you can wear.
• Undergarments that you can see through the clothing (example: dark colors).
• No wrinkled or stained clothing

IF WEIGHT IS A CONCERN:

• Avoid sleeveless tops as sleeves are most slimming...3/4 or full length sleeves are best in this case.
• Darker colors are more slimming than lighter colors.
  
  

PROPS & CLOTHING FOR LOAN:

I do have a few props that can be used for senior sessions. Please note that the larger chairs and couch are available for your session if you have a way to bring them to the session (my vehicle can only hold smaller chairs, crates, etc). Please feel free to bring your own props such as sporting equipment, hobby items, etc.

FOR GIRLS:

• Extra makeup for touchups, especially powder. Shiny faces don't photograph well.
• Lipstick (please wear it...I promise you will be happier that you did as sometimes lip color is not and lipstick, even if it is a similar shade to your natural color) will help even it out.
• Jewelry - keep it simple and it is easiest to put the jewelry for each outfit in a plastic baggie and keep it attached to hanger to make changes a breeze.