Planning a senior photo session is so much fun. You get to customize everything to you. Your season and date, location, and outfits. Everything is about you to showcase who you are. If you are a senior of mine, I have a whole guide to help plan your session. If you are just there for the tips and tricks, I am here to help. So, let’s get planning your senior session.

Choosing a Date

The first thing to do is narrow down a season you want your photos in. The best season to do them in is a season you are not so busy! Choosing a date and season that is your favorite from the way the sun shines, to the colors, to the temperature, to the outfits. Once you nail down your season, look at a few dates where you are not busy with anything. Leave the entire day open. When you have a few options for dates, reach out to your photographer and see if they have any availability for those dates. It is best to include options for dates such as weekday evenings, week days you may have off, and weekends.

Choosing a Location

Once you have your season and date set, now is the time to pick the location. First ask your photographer if they have any recommendations for locations. My seniors – I have a ton in the guide I will send you once we are booked! Location recommendations might vary by season and the foliage. If your photographer has recommendations, I would go scope out those spots and see which you like best. However, just know your eye may see something different than your photographer’s. So, if something stands out to you at a location that you want in your photos, send that to your photographer. Choosing a location can be super simple, though. If you live in the country, take a walk around your yard, see if there are any spots you like. It can be as easy as taking them in front of your house, whether that is in town or in the country. Is there a park you frequently visit? A trail you walk on? A road you drive on that has a spot you alway admire? Somewhere around your school? Don’t let it be complicated.

Choosing Outfits

Once you have your season, date, and location chosen, now is the time to put together some outfits. Use the season and location to build off of and use complimentary colors. Remember – wear something that resembles you and that you are comfortable in. If you are walking a lot or are in nature, heels might not be the best option. If you want to do more movement photos, short, tight, or low cut clothing might not work. I have put together a Pinterest Board and an Amazon Storefront to help get some inspiration.

Leading Up To Your Session

The week of your session make sure to check the weather. If it looks like the weather might affect the location you chose, contact your photographer to set up a back up plan. This could be renting a studio to do inside photos, doing an in-home session, finding a place inside you like, or rescheduling. If the weather looks clear, make sure you are prepared for everything else – heat, bugs, humidity, wind, cold etc. Bring along bug spray, extra makeup, hair products, water, snacks for the kids, hats, coats, mittens, blankets, etc. Be prepared for anything.

The Day Of

Make sure you give yourself PLENTY of getting ready time and travel time. Senior photos are supposed to be enjoyable. Having a rushed and frantic environment make you just that more tense. Just relax and take your time. If you can, spend your day doing something you love – before or after your session. If you want to pamper yourself with nails, hair, or makeup for photos, DO IT. You only do senior photos once, so do exactly what you want! Make sure you take everything along to be prepared for. Water, snacks, hair products, makeup, a towel, extra clothes, etc.

Hope this helps plan your senior session just a little more!