This post will give you 5 great tips for your senior pictures.

Having Senior Pictures taken is a special part of the senior year!

Senior year is a milestone worth celebrating.

My goal with this post is to give you tips that will help you feel comfortable and ready for your senior pictures.

Tip #1: Outfit selection: What to wear for senior pictures??

I recommend having 3 “looks” or outfits. When you book a senior session with me I will email you my complete style guide, but following is a summary.

You can easily create different looks by adding or removing layers. For guys it is extra easy to change looks by simply changing shirts. Girls might have to change an entire outfit but can also mix things up by using layers.

The “3 T’s” are a great way to help guide you as you select what to wear for your senior pictures.

The 3 T’s:

Trendy- Something you are currently loving and feel good in!
Timeless- Classic style, a bit more dressed up. For girls I recommend a nice dress, for boys a classic shirt.
True to you- Something that represents your individual passions, hobbies or sports such as a letterman jacket, FFA jacket, Band uniform, sports uniform, etc.

high school senior boy sitting on steps wearing black shirt, blue jeans and cross necklace

Girls: Make-up and hair

Some girls love going all out and having their hair and make- up done professionally! If you would enjoy that then go for it!

Other girls are much more minimal with hair and make-up and that is ok, too.

Go with what you enjoy! Senior pictures are all about YOU- and if professionally done hair and make- up would be something you would enjoy and would make you feel extra beautiful then do it! But if that isn’t your thing- no worries!!! Being true to yourself and your personality is the most important thing.

Tip #2: Personalization

Feel free to include things that are important to you in your pictures. Do you have a hobby? Sport? Passion?

You can represent these things by wearing uniforms, jackets, etc. You can also include things in your pictures.

Things that personalize your senior pictures make them extra special. Representing things that are important to you is very special.

Tip 3: Choosing Location for pictures

Would you prefer an urban setting or a rural or park like setting? The Lafayette Indiana area has some great locations to choose for senior pictures.

I have written location spotlight posts about Haan Museum, Fairfield Lakes Park, Celery Bog Nature Area, Purdue Horticulture Park, and Purdue University Campus. Each of these locations make great spots for senior pictures. Your local high school, your own home, or a location with a special meaning to you can also be great spots.

We can move around the location to get several different looks. I am a people centered photographer, which means my focus is on the person in the pictures rather than on the background.

Tip 4: When should we do senior pictures?

Senior pictures can be taken from the spring of junior year through the spring of senior year.

The summer before senior year is often the easiest time to schedule.

Once school starts back up seniors are often very busy with school, sports, extra-curricular activities, and jobs.

Any season is fine, it just has to fit into the busy schedule of senior year. Winter is really the only season I don’t recommend, and that is only because most people don’t want to be cold while getting their pictures taken!

Tip 5: Bring someone along with you!

It is always more fun getting your picture taken when you have someone to goof around and have fun with! You can choose to bring a parent and/or a friend. Bringing someone along with you is also helpful- they can hold your extra clothes, your personal items, your drink, phone, etc. Basically, they are your pack mule! LOL.

But, in all seriousness, it is nice to share the experience with a parent, sibling and/or friend!

If you are lucky enough to be a twin you could take your senior pictures together!