Guest Post by | Stephanie Newbold of Stephanie Newbold Photography
Stephanie Newbold is a natural light photographer in Tucson, AZ, specializing in authentic, fresh, custom photography for stylish high school seniors. Find her on Facebook!
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Hey, Class of ’13! Is it really senior year? Finally?
Congratulations! The year you've been working towards your whole life (or at
least it feels that way sometimes!) has finally arrived. What better way to
capture this amazingly awesome time in your life than with
a senior portrait session that leaves cookie-cutter poses and boring
backgrounds in the dust, and lets the true you shine!
Oh, I know your parents want you to look a certain
way, and wear certain things (hey, I'm a momma to a teenager, too), and you'll
definitely want to have photos suitable for Grandma and Grandpa, and for Dad to
frame and keep at the office -- but you can still leave the boring photos
to the yearbook photo guy, and have senior portraits that are all about
YOU: your style, your personality, your fabulousness! Not sure where
to start? Here are a few tips to help
you make that happen:
1) Choose the Right Photographer
Seriously, this is so important! Sometimes
your school will require that you have your yearbook photo done by their
contracted photographer, and that’s cool.
You still have a chance to have some really great photos that are 100%
unique. You should absolutely visit
several photographer’s websites and blogs, and get a feel for what you like,
and what they’re like. If the pictures
just don’t appeal to you all that much, or the photographer’s style isn’t quite
yours (even though the price looks good), keep looking.
When you’ve found a couple of photographer’s you like, compare your favorites, and not just on price (remember -- cheaper isn’t necessarily better, and you get what you pay for). Do they return your calls and emails promptly? Will they meet with you before your session? Will they share tips on what to wear, styling, and make up? Do they provide all of the critical information upfront? These questions are important, because how a photographer treats her clients is a direct reflection of how she’ll treat your photographs.
2) Dress the Part (What to Wear)
After choosing your photographer, what to
wear is probably the most important aspect of your portrait session. And yes, guys – this applies to you, too!
I know most of you guys don’t really like to get your
pictures taken, but this is your chance to show you’ve got game! Think in terms
of wearing something comfortable but that has a little of your own flare
in it. If you’re stuck for ideas, ask your girlfriend, or even your
photographer. She’ll have you looking
good in no time!
Girls: It’s time to work that killer
wardrobe! Make it fun. Rock
your Toms, your platforms, your boots or even your flip-flops. The main thing
to remember when picking out your wardrobe is to avoid those too tiny shorty
shorts and itty bitty tops because it makes posing a little difficult when the
photographer is focused on preventing wardrobe malfunctions.
It’s always good to bring several
outfits to your photo session in a variety of colors, textures
and styles. I always tell my seniors to
bring lots of options so we can pull the right looks together for each
location, and have you feeling and looking fabulous. Remember to bring
accessories for all of your outfits: shoes, jewelry, hats, headbands, etc.
While it’s
important to include a variety, it’s also important to keep it simple. Don’t
bring outfits with words/slogans or logos, or competing patterns and pictures.
You want your face, eyes and expression to command attention, not the words on
your shirt. Too many accessories can be distracting. Keeping your clothing
visually simple will show off the most important aspect of the photo: you.
3) Get Gorgeous (Hair / Make-Up)
Now that you have the
perfect outfits ready, it’s time to think about your hair and make-up. Now is not the time to go for the magenta
highlights or experiment with a Mohawk. Guys, get a haircut at least a week in
advance to give your hair a chance to adjust and look natural.
Girls, give some thought to your hair in the week or two
leading up to your session. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be “you”.
Tip: having your hair professionally styled can help your curls last through
your session, or help your straight locks resist the humidity, and honestly,
it’s just fun to be pampered every now and then.
I highly recommend having your make-up professionally
done the day of your session. A professional make-up artist will help perfect
your natural beauty with make-up that’s photo ready and magazine worthy! Check Whitney’s amazing make-up in the photo
above. Totally natural, with a bit of eye drama. And her make-up lasted through our entire
session with barely a touch up!
Finally, just relax!
If you’re relaxed and having fun,
it’ll show in your final pictures. Don’t be afraid that you won’t know how to
pose, or how to stand, or what expression you should have. This is why you
spent so much time finding the perfect photographer, right? Your photographer
will be able to guide you and give you direction. By now, she knows a lot about
you and your style, and it’s her job to bring out your fabulousness and natural
charm. You’ll end up with poses and expressions that are genuine and authentic,
and 100% you!
Getting ready for your senior portraits should be fun,
and not a time to stress. There’s already of ton of things to stress about
senior year, right? Follow these three tips will set you on the way to getting
the most out of your senior portrait session.
This is really a great post!
Thanks for posting!!!
Beautiful images!
Beautiful Images!
these are great tips. thanks for posting
Love your work, beautiful images. And great tips too!
Wonderful article and SO RIGHT ON! Thanks Megan, for hosting it, and Stephanie for writing it!
Thanks for such a great article ladies!
Excellent post and great pointers for the seniors!
Great tips and no one could possibly go wrong choosing you as their Senior Photographer! I only hope that I can find someone as talented as you when my own daughter is a senior.
Wonderful tips for seniors (and photographers). I think the suggestion for the guys is very important, because they don't think about wardrobe as much, especially if they are reluctant to get the photos done to begin with.
great pointers for seniors!! WTG!!
Great post with wonderful tips and information!
Great info for the clients & professional!
Love your tips!
This makes me want to set up a hair appointment to get pampered! Thanks for the tips and tricks :)
Very beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Great tips!
I'm loving this guest blog post and the tips!
fab post stephanie!