High school graduation is a momentous event and you will want to record all the memories associated with it. One of the most important memories is your senior photo session. These special images will be recorded in your high school yearbook, and distributed to family and friends as a memento of this significant life event. It’s important to carefully plan for your photography session. By following the steps outlined in this helpful guide, you can have a fun and memorable senior photo that truly depicts you and your personality.

What to Wear

Choose two or three outfits that reflect your personality, including casual and dressy. Accessories can make an outfit pop. Consider adding a scarf, fun necklace, jacket or hat. This is an easy way to change up looks during your session also.

The more comfortable you feel the more natural you will look in front of the camera. Select clothing that feels like you and isn’t something you wouldn’t normally wear.

Avoid:
• Plaids, large geometric patterns, loud prints, and bold or tiny stripes

• Logo t-shirts, over-sized clothing, or outrageous clothing

• Ill-fitting clothing: be sure you can move without creating gaps or stretching

It’s important to remember your face is the focus. Anything that distracts from your face does not belong as part of your outfit. Make sure your outfits are clean, well fitted, and pressed. Be sure to think through shoe selection for each outfit as well. Consider socks as they will often show in sitting poses and are difficult to edit afterwards.

What About Props?

If you are an artist, play guitar or are an expert skateboarder or cyclist, love to go fishing or skiing, you are welcome to bring any items that defines your personality, and we will incorporate it into your session. Some students like to include their favorite pet in their pictures.

Joyful Story Seniors wants to know who you are and what makes you a unique individual. We want to know your passion. It might be playing, writing, or singing music, kayaking, fashion design, riding horses, sports, drama, or star gazing. Whatever it is, your passion will help us create the perfect theme for your senior picture. Write down a few notes describing your favorite things to do, your hobbies, your dreams, and your goals after graduation. Most importantly, tell us how you envision your senior photograph. All of this information aids us to design the ideal senior picture session for you, and produce an image both you and your family will love.

Hair & Make-up

If you plan to get a haircut or style before your photography session, do it several days in advance so you know how it will look and have time to make any changes you feel are necessary. Avoid having your hair styled or cut an hour before your appointment because there will be no time to fix it if you aren’t happy with the results. Be sure to bring a comb or brush with you for last minute touchups. Hands and nails should be clean and groomed. Girls should wear subtle colors or use clear polish. Blemishes, however, are very easy to touchup and you don’t need to be concerned about them. If you wear glasses, most opticians are happy to remove the lenses from your glasses and replace them after your photography session. This eliminates any possibility of glare or reflection in your lenses and allows your eyes to really shine through.

Don’t overdo the makeup. Bring all your cosmetics with you and follow the advice we offer on how much to wear

FAQs

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY SESSION?

• All outfits and any needed accessories (think through jewelry, hair, shoes, etc. for each outfit). I recommend hanging the clothes when possible to prevent wrinkling.• Any props that you want included in your photos.• A comb/brush for any hairstyle changes or quick fixes(hairspray is also a good idea!).• Make-up for any touch-ups needed.

CAN I BRING SOMEONE WITH ME ON THE SHOOT?

Yes! We encourage at least one parent to accompany you for your session.If you have a bestie that wants to tag along, I am okay with that, too! Let’shave some fun while we capture you at your best!

DO YOU PROVIDE HAIR AND MAKEUP SERVICES?

Hair & Make-up is a great way to feel your best for your session! I amhappy to work with you to get that set up as an add-on for your session.

WHEN WILL MY PICTURES BE READY?

A typical turn-around time is 2-3 weeks. During busy seasons, it may be on the longer end of that, but I will always let you knowwhat timeline to expect at the end of your session and I try my bestto get your gallery to you quickly!

CAN I SHARE THE PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM/ETC?

YES! Please don’t add any filters or crop beyond what is needed for the app.And, please tag @joyfulstoryseniors!