The Essentials!

Here is a list of Essential items for your senior portraits. Tips for your session!

If you are asking yourself… what exactly should I bring with me to my senior portrait experience? Here is a list of Essential items to help you on your way. Some are common sense items and the others are items that I’ve seen clients forgot. 

For the Fellas

  1. Pick Out Your Suit
  2. Pick Out Your Yearbook Look
  3. Learn How to Tie That Tie!
  4. The Pocket Square
  5. Casual Outfits
  6. Round up your Jerseys
  7. Letterman Jacket
  8. Choose The Right Shoes for Your Outfit
  9. A Belt is Not Just for Holding Up Your Pants
  10. Socks or No Socks
  11. Put on a Nice Watch
  12. Accent Pieces
  13. Think about locations for your session
  14. Permission for the Field
  15. Don’t Forget the equipment ~ sports {football, lacrosse sticks, bats, balls} & instruments
  16. Get a Trim Before Your Shoot
  17. A Little Hair Gel / Spray, Comb, Brush, for a Windy Day
  18. Sometimes it’s hot, sometimes it’s cold… best to hydrate!
  19. Bring Water or a Cooler with snacks
  20. A Towel for Sweat or extra layers if it’s chilly
  21. It’s Michigan, you may need an umbrella

For the Ladies

  1. Pick Out Your Yearbook Look
  2. Makeup for touch-ups
  3. A Dressier Outfit
  4. Casual Outfits
  5. Round up your Jerseys
  6. Letterman Jacket
  7. Choose The Right Shoes for Your Outfit
  8. Don’t forget the accessories ~ necklaces, rings, earrings, hats
  9. Think about locations for your session
  10. Permission for the Field
  11. Don’t Forget the equipment ~ sports, instruments
  12. Get a Trim Before Your Shoot
  13. A Little Hair Spray & Brush for a Windy Day
  14. Sometimes it’s hot, sometimes it’s cold… best to hydrate!
  15. Bring Water or a Cooler with snacks
  16. A Towel for Sweat or extra layers if it’s chilly
  17. It’s Michigan, you may need an umbrella

Pick Out Your Suit

One of my favorite looks for the fella is a well-fitted suit. I start with the yearbook look, so this is usually the first outfit of the session. Two or three piece… whatever your style… making sure it fits properly is key.

Here’s some tips on how to look Flawless in Suits

Tie or not… that’s up to your senior!

Learn to Tie Your Tie!

Half Windsor Knot

Double Windsor Knot

Bow Tie

Dressier Outfits

Casual Outfits

Express yourself in your casual outfit! It’s the perfect secondary option. Primary and solid colors are great choices and would shy away from heavy patterns or large logos.

Choose The Right Shoes for Your Outfit

Whether it’s your favorite pair of heels, your favorite sandals or a sweet pair of sneaks… make sure you pick shoes that match EVERY outfit!

Location!

Let’s find that perfect location that fits your senior! Is it in your local downtown, your favorite lake or is it on your high school field? Also open to new locations or ideas…. get creative!!

Get Permission!

When thinking of possible locations, if you want part of your session on the field, at an airport or some other special location, make sure to get the OK. Most days it’s not difficult to get on the field, but with team practices and weekends… we have to make sure the field and other locations are availablefor use.

Don’t Forget the Props/Equipment {sports {football, lacrosse sticks, bats, balls} & instruments

No matter your sport or activity… love to incorporate those into your photos!

Don’t Forget the Jersey and Letterman Jackets

Jeans and your jersey can make a great second or third outfit for your senior portraits. Remember that you might need to sign out your jersey from your coach or athletic director. So make sure to ask for it well in advance of your portrait date.

Letterman jackets are a great way to show off your school pride in your senior portraits. They can go with any outfit but they pair nicely with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. You could also wear your team’s jersey underneath. You can have additional looks with your jacket by taking it off and throwing it over your shoulder or even just have it sitting next to you.