What to Do Before Your Senior Portrait Session

It seems like just yesterday you were preparing for their newborn photo session, but their senior portrait session is already here!  

If you’re like most parents, you probably feel knots in your stomach when you think about everything that lies ahead during senior year.  Your senior’s portrait session is just the beginning of the many milestones you’ll reach this year!

Let’s make that session one worth remembering.

Being prepared for your senior’s portrait session is key to making sure you get images that truly capture who he or she is at this moment.  Most families choose to book their senior portrait session in the summer before senior year, with some choosing the beautiful colors of fall.  No matter when you plan your session, it should reflect your senior and allow them to shine.  Here are some of my favorite tips for planning your photo session.  

Step 1:  Make sure you choose a senior portrait photographer who matches your style.

This might seem like an obvious starting point, but hear me out.  Whether you’re drawn to my light, bright, and colorful style, you’re looking for moody vibes, or you’re aching for a more traditional studio portrait session, the photographer you choose matters.  

It’s okay to message a few different photographers and get a feel for what it’s going to be like to work with them.  Ask plenty of questions such as:  

• Do you help find locations and secure permits if needed?  
• How many images are included in my package?
• Is there an additional charge for more images?
• Do you send a high resolution file directly to the high school yearbook staff?

It’s a great idea to ask friends and family, as well as recently graduated students who they used for their senior portraits.  There are many talented photographers on the South Shore, and finding the perfect fit for YOU and your senior is super important!

Getting a feel for different photographers and what they offer is a great starting point for having an experience that you absolutely love!

Step 2:  Choose a senior portrait location that tells your story.

Location is SO important to images that you love.  Light, clothing, posing, and environment all come together not just for a pretty picture, but one that tells a story.  

When choosing a location for your senior portraits, keep in mind the story you want to tell.  Some of my favorite sessions have been in locations that are both beautiful, but tell something about your senior.  

Is your senior a free spirit who loves flower fields, full of whimsy?  What about a downtown session to showcase their love for their city?  Or a ballfield that celebrates their years of hard work and dedication to their sport?

I love helping families find a location for their senior portrait session that really gets down to who they really are.  Some of my favorite locations around the South Shore and South Coast.  

Here are a few of my favorites:

Ames Free Library, Easton, MA

This location is easily a family favorite.  The gardens on the property are perfectly manicured and the many stone walls and gates provide interesting elements to senior portraits.  The light stone reflects light beautifully, which gives even, clean skin tones.  

Downtown New Bedford, MA

This was a new location for me last season but became an instant favorite!  The old cobblestone roads and factory buildings give a historic feel to your images.  This location features the historic Zeiteron Theater as well as shops and restaurants.  The buildings are clean and the light is beautiful!

Oliver Mills, Middleboro, MA

I use this location a lot because it’s local, and features beautiful stone walls and old bridges.  This location works especially well for senior portrait sessions because it offers interesting old architecture. 

Horseneck Beach, Westport, MA

The light on this beach is just…stunning!  I love that this beach features a boardwalk down to the beach as well as a paved walkway.  Beach photos are classic, and are perfect for seniors who love an endless summer. 

Westport Town Farm, Westport, MA

This Trustees property requires advance permission, but is completely worth it for a stunning backdrop for senior portraits.  With tall grasses and an old stone wall, this location also offers grassy paths and an overlook of the bay.  

Bay Farm, Duxbury, MA

I use this location often for family sessions, but it would also be perfect for a senior looking for a whimsical, tall grass location.  In the late spring and summer, the grasses are filled with small flowers and a beautiful sunset.  This location, similar to the Westport Town Farm, is also adjacent to a bay for more variety.

I also encourage seniors to think about places that are special to them.  Maybe it’s inside a theater where they’ve performed, on a softball field where they’ve spent hours practicing, or even at home where their story truly began.  

Step 3:  Pick a wardrobe that makes your senior shine!

Once you have a location chosen, choose a wardrobe that is both comfortable and will photograph well.  Choose clothes that your senior already feels comfortable in, rather than choosing something that will photograph well, but just doesn’t feel like them.  (Also keep in mind that some schools do have guidelines for clothing such as shoulders or mid-drifts showing.  Be sure to check with your school before planning your outfit for your actual yearbook photo!)

Location definitely informs clothing choices, but in ways you might not think.  Colors, textures, and silhouette make a big difference in images.

In a field of flowers, consider matching the flowers or choosing a complementary color.  These locations tend to be more whimsical, so think about dressing your senior in a flowy top or dress in a light fabric and color.  

Downtown sessions can lean edgy or chic, so if that fits your senior’s vibe, choose cool layers such as fitted jackets or classic hats.  

For all sessions in true KPP style, I always recommend sticking to 1-2 main colors and layering them with earthy neutrals such as cream, khaki, or olive.  Check out my KPP color palette, which can be read both horizontally or vertically for more color combinations!

Step 4:  Your senior portrait session is here—take it all in. 

When you arrive for your session, remember to take it all in.  The work is done:  you’ve chosen a location and perfected an outfit, but now your senior is having his or her time to shine.  Take in how they smile, how they pose, and remember to celebrate this milestone together!

I believe that all portrait sessions are a celebration—a reminder of how far you’ve come and how your family has grown.  After your session, consider celebrating with some ice cream or a fancy restaurant—you’re already dressed for the occasion!

When you book a senior portrait session with KPP, you can expect to see your sneak peeks within 24-48 hours of your session and your gallery within 2 weeks.  Many photographers will want to make sure that your images fit with your yearbook’s requirements, so be sure to give any information needed if you’d like your photographer to send your image directly to the staff.  

Once you get your photos…

PRINT THEM!

A little much?  Maybe.  But seriously!  You’ve invested in these images and (hopefully!) you love them too much for them to stay on your phone or in cyberspace.  Just like those sweet newborn photos that you hung on your walls 18 years ago, show off your senior and all that he or she has accomplished!  

Need some help planning your senior portrait session? I’d love to help you capture your senior’s big milestone.  Find out more about my session packages here and reach out to book your senior session before your yearbook deadline approaches!