Senior photography, or senior portraits as it may be known, documents an important stage in life of a late teen – the last year of high school. The graduating year of school is important in so many ways, including being most likely the last year the same group of friends will be together, it is a coming of age portrait genre of photography and it marks the end of one major chapter in a teenager’s life and the beginning of the next.
TO LOVE SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHY IS TO LOVE SEEING OUR YOUNG TAKE THEIR PLACE IN THE WORLD
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Teens in the modern world are far more technologically advanced than their parents and this includes the myriad of selfies and videos that would likely have been taken over the years and uploaded to TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Some would say that today’s school-leavers would have taken enough photographs over their school years to find more than enough satisfactory images. However, a professional photographer will be able to choose poses, locations, backgrounds and provide advanced editing that goes far beyond even the best selfie photographs.
Senior photographs are different from school initiated graduation photographs. Senior photography is portrait photography where the focus is on the graduating teenager.
Focus on the senior
Senior photographs are different from school-initiated graduation photographs. Senior photography is portrait photography where the focus is on the graduating teenager. A professional photographer will be able to choose elements and design a photo session that compliments the teen’s personality and interests.
Discover personal interests
The photographer should take the time to discover the personal interests of the graduating teen and then design a session around the responses that complement the teen.
Examples of senior’s interests may include horse riding, baseball, football, their car, music, the beach, and many others. A session could be designed where the teen is posed with their interests as the main theme of the session, including several changes of outfits and locations. Having the senior fill out a questionnaire may be a good way to gauge their interests. Include questions about their culture, favourite places, favourite music and hobbies.
Choosing senior photo session location
Once you have discovered the interests of the senior, you should select the right location for the senior photography session. Depending on the budget you should offer at least two locations. These can include a location that relates to the senior’s main interest, and a second in-studio location.
For example, if a senior plays football, then a great location for a photo session would be at the football field, or in a studio using a football as a prop with the senior dressed in full football uniform.
Another example, if a senior has music interests, is to offer a session at the local music auditorium, or in a studio session using their musical instruments as props.
Senior photography attire
Also include graduation attire somewhere as a part of the session or sessions. You may wish to include family members with the in-studio session where the senior is wearing their full graduation garments and cap.
Candid, posed and formal photos
Take candid, posed and formal photos. Candids can come from the senior and their friend interacting amongst each other. Posed photos can be done though the senior being dressed in the smart everyday clothes, and also dressed in their favourite pastime outfits such as football, music, singing, horse riding, baseball etc, with props. Formal photos can be done in-studio in full graduation garments.
Family and BFFs
Family and BFF’s (best friends) always play an important role in a young adult’s life, so as an aside to the session, family portraits could also be included, but ensure the teen remains the central focus of the session. You could also get BFF’s to have their senior session together and also photograph them separately. This type of session would work well where one or both BFF’s are shy or nervous in front of the professional photographer.
Create a senior photography preparation list
As a photographer you should create a preparation list for the senior, and be sure to include advice on clothing, hair and makeup. As the photographer you should aim to have a hair and makeup artist available for your client if they don’t have one already. The senior should wear clothing that they are already comfortable with as their clothing choices form a part of their personality, but you must ensure their attire is still neat, clean, ironed and appropriate.
Make the session comfortable
As the photographer it is important to have great rapport with the senior during the photo session. You want them to be comfortable, happy and to generally be confident in themselves, and you will see their personality shine through the lens.
You are documenting and immortalising the divider between their life as a high school student and the next chapter of their future, so it is important to capture the personality of that moment.
Have fun with senior photography!
Our youth are the next generation of leaders in our world.
