Perhaps you heard of someone who didn’t have a great experience with a professional senior photo or you’re just not sure these types of shots appeal to you. Whatever your reservations, know that senior photos are always a worthwhile investment.
Let’s elaborate.
One of the first things that tend to put some seniors off a professional session is the photos they have seen. Unfortunately, there are still many photos with a tired and outdated style that are floating around online. From terrible poses to boring backdrops, you might be thinking your senior photos won’t be all that memorable, but this isn’t true.
Professional, modern senior photographers aim to provide you with a positive experience by incorporating your unique style, personality, and preferences into your photos. This means if you would prefer a shoot in your garden at home with your dog, wearing your favorite summer dress, that is exactly what you should do. Want to shoot in your hiking gear at the side of a lake because that’s where you spend a lot of your spare time? Done!
Next is the cost of a senior photo session. The good news is these sessions don’t need to cost a fortune. If you don’t need a full, traditional photoshoot, you can always opt for a mini session. Not only are these sessions affordable, but they are quick and convenient too. Just keep in mind that you might not be able to customize it as much as a traditional session.
Lastly, there’s the necessity. Will you really look back on these photos? The answer is absolutely! Almost anyone you speak to has photos from their senior year. What’s more, it’s a great gift for your parents if you’re moving away for college.
In the end, you could always take some photos yourself, but the quality and creativity won’t be the same. Working with a professional senior photographer is always worth it.
Your furry family members are an important part of your life, so it only makes sense that you’d want to include them in some of your senior photos (if not all of them).
To make this a fun experience without sacrificing the quality of your photos, here are a few tips to read through before your session.
- How does your pet generally behave? Before you choose a photographer and a location, consider what your pet is like. Are they fine around new people? Do they hate being held? Can you easily travel with them in a car? Knowing your pet’s personality and behavior will help you better plan your session.
- Bring someone along with you. Since your pet might not be in all your photos with you, bring someone along who can manage your pet in between shots.
- Have a carrier or leash with you. Depending on where your shoot will take place, it’s important to bring a carrier or leash along with you. This will prevent your pet from running away and putting themselves in harm’s way during all the excitement.
- Bring some treats. If your dog responds to treats as a reward for good behavior, bring them along to your session.
- Think twice about the location. The location you pick should fit in with your pet. If you know that your dog would go crazy in a setting where there’s a lot to do and see, you may want to have your shoot at home or in a quieter park instead.
- Schedule a grooming session. In the same way that you want to look good for your senior photos, your pet should look good too. Schedule a grooming session the day before or the day of your shoot.
- Choose the right outfit. Find an outfit that matches your pet. For starters, your outfit should be easy to move in and not show hair or dirt easily. You should also find a way to match your outfit to your pet’s collar or bow – whatever you choose to dress them in. It’s best not to opt for wacky pet outfits as this could the focus off you.
- Relax into it. You never quite know what might happen during a photo session with a pet so it’s best to simply have fun and go with the flow. Not every photo with your pet needs to be perfect.
When you think of photo sessions with a pet, you may be thinking cats or dogs but remember that you can include any type of pet you want to. You may just want to check with your photographer whether there are any pets they haven’t or would prefer not to work with.
Confidence and a touch of attitude can really take your senior pictures to the next level. The more comfortable you are in your own skin, the more memorable your photos will be, and it all starts with your body language.
Research shows that your posture and body language affect your brain. This means the more confident your stance is, the more powerful you will feel in your senior photos.
Enter the power pose.
A power pose is any pose that exudes confidence. Examples include:
- Standing with your hands behind your head
- Posing with your hands on your hips (think Wonder Woman)
- Leaning back in your chair with your hands behind your head
- Standing tall in a wide stance with your arms crossed
- Raising your hands in a V shape and your chin lifted (think victory)
Practicing Your Power Poses
If you have never used a power pose before, practice at home in a mirror prior to your shoot. You may feel a bit awkward at first, but you will eventually feel more at ease. Plus, practicing beforehand will leave you feeling even more confident in front of the camera, which is exactly what you want.
It’s also recommended that you let your photographer know about the poses you want to use during your shoot. This way, they can work with what you want to achieve, and they can provide you with some additional suggestions.
The good news is that these poses are something you can take into everyday life after your senior session too. You never know when you might need to take headshots for a job or an interview later in life. In fact, you can strike a power pose anytime you need to feel more confident for the day ahead.
