WHAT TO WEAR
- In general, wear solid colored clothing
- choose muted tones that are a bit subdued
- choose similar tones for your top and bottom (both dark or both light)
- choose 1-3 colors for your group portrait, ones with similar tones that go nicely together and have everyone work within that color palette. For example: dark green, navy, and burgundy – all dark jewel tones. OR tan, a lighter olive green, and denims – all lighter, softer tones.
- keep jewelry simple and minimalistic
- do your hair (and dress) the way you’d normally do
WHAT TO BRING:
- Outfits (up to three outfit changes)
- Accessories (basketball, football, hat, scarfs, cake, cap & gown, etc.)
POSING
- 3 angles: front facing, 45 degrees left, 45 degrees right
- 3 poses: Standing, sitting, and walking
- Watch (male): youtube.com/watch?v=yuncJRQVquA
- Watch (female): youtube.com/watch?v=LmO5CLV3Fr4
GENERAL TIPS
- Play around with your hands
- Face expressions (don’t be afraid to be silly, joke around, be fun, be serious)
- Play with your jacket, face, hair
- Looks: away, near, at the camera, away from the camera, past camera
- Think about emotions: serious, happy, mad, excited, sad, thoughtful, etc.
- When I doubt just keep moving!
TIPS FOR SENIORS
- Bring a variety of outfits – cap and gown, something casual, something stylish, ladies slip a dress in there to throw folks off, fellas try a formal look to impress. Wear what you think you look best in, but take the opportunity to also try a new look, just to surprise folks.
- Bring props that recall your high school years – band instrument, sports gear like a volleyball or baseball bat, your beloved (or cursed) high school car, letter jacket, sunglasses. Most of all, rep your style, whatever that may be. Your senior photo should be unique to your life and personality.
- More in-depth tips can be found here.
TIPS FOR FAMILIES
- Dad – Have a fresh shave or trim. Make sure nails are clean and trimmed. Wash your hands. Clean up your shoes. Moisturize and scrub away flaky facial skin (see above General advice). When you wash your face, pay attention to eye boogers. For wardrobe, go for jeans or pants, tucked polo or dress shirt with a belt, or go casual with just a T-shirt or untucked polo, button-up short sleeve, etc. In general, whatever your wife tells you to wear. Again you don’t have to perfectly match the rest of the family, just wear something that coordinates.
- Mom – Women know what to wear, but in general, unless you are extremely thin you may want to wear something that covers your upper-arms. Long- or 3/4-sleeve tops are very flattering. If you wear jewelry, aim for subtlety, and be aware of it twisting or turning.
- Kids – Same advice as above, but again, everything needn’t match, simply coordinate with the parents’ outfits. If Dad’s in a T-shirt, don’t put the kids in dress shirts – make it make sense.