Preparing for Your Senior Portrait

CLOTHING

• The beach is a casual place to be so wearing jeans, shorts, swimwear or anything just for fun is acceptable.  More formal outfits can work too. 
• Girls should be wary of dresses that are too loose fitting.  These styles can make you look heavy and/or frumpy especially if you are not in a standing pose.  If you have a dress you’re not sure about, see what it looks like when you are sitting on the floor with your legs bent and your hands around your knees.  Ask for a parent or friend’s opinion.
• Be aware of sequins.  They sometimes catch the light and do not do well in photographs. 
• Boys may decide to wear open shirts (button-down) or no shirt at all.  Take more care with outfits than just wearing t-shirts. Any patterns on t-shirts also take away from you.
• GUIDELINES TO SLIM YOU:
• Wear clothing w/ sleeves.  Bare arms add weight.
• Solid colors are more complimentary.  Patterns can be distracting and may take away from you.
• Cropped tops look bad; loose tops are easier to work with.
• Avoid sundresses with small straps and bare shoulders.
• Tight fitting clothing is not always the most flattering.

HAIR & MAKE-UP

• Avoid changing to a new hairstyle within 2 weeks prior to your photo shoot.  If you don’t like your new look, you may have to wait for it to grow to a manageable length.
• Please let your photographer know if your hairstyle is the type that is supposed to hang over the eye.  Your photographer may keep moving your hair from your eye if he/she doesn’t realize you want it there or he/she may leave it there thinking that’s what you want and you may be disappointed with your proofs when you can’t see both your eyes.
• Don’t forget to wear makeup and apply it in advance so all you need to do is touch up. 
• If you have an oily complexion, powder is a must.  Choose one with a matte finish – it photographs much better.
• Blemishes can be retouched, however, concealer and powder together work wonders on covering blemishes, boys included.

JEWELRY

• Flat jewelry such as herringbone necklaces will ruin a good portrait.  It reflects light and is costly to remove.  Keep necklaces to the chain type and of a smaller style.
• Class Rings – if your girlfriend/boyfriend has your class ring, make arrangements to get it back for your photo shoot.  You should not wear your girlfriend’s/boyfriend’s class ring in your pictures.

GLASSES & CONTACTS

• Eyeglass glare can ruin a great photograph.  If possible, have your lenses removed temporarily OR borrow a pair of empty frames from your eye doctor.  You can return them after your photo shoot.
• Contact lenses rarely show in a photograph but colored lenses can add a great deal of color to your eye.

SUNBURN

• The redness from the sun will photograph.  Avoid excessive sun days before your photo shoot.  Allow at least one week for the redness to tone down.
• Peeling is a difficult problem to correct.  Together with red skin it is even worse.  Digital imaging may help to tone this problem but it will be at an additional charge.
• Severe sunburn is a reason to reschedule.

TAN LINES

• A suntan is a great addition to your photograph, however, over tanning will dry out your skin and actually age its appearance.  Always tan in moderation.
• Plan ahead when tanning to avoid tan lines.  This problem can be corrected digitally but there is an additional charge.

TATTOOS


SCARS


MOLES & BEAUTY MARKS