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How do you feel when you hear "Senior Portrait"? Do you picture the shot from your own school yearbook, or maybe an old shot from a department store?
Photography has changed so much in the last few years, and senior portraits have really evolved into an amazing area growth for photographers looking to expand their business. Not only can you generate a great income from senior photography, you can have a lot of fun with it too!
As I have grown my own senior photography business, I have figured out a few "rules" I try to stick with, and a few that I have thrown out the window. In this post, I'll share these senior photography tips with you and you can decide for yourself if you want to implement some of these into your own senior sessions.
Never, ever, try to fit all your seniors into the same mold. Our young people are so unique and have learned to embrace their quirks and show off what makes each of them different. So, try to incorporate their interests and strengths into your photoshop to show off what's special about them.
Try to set aside your own beliefs about how a senior session should look and go with their vibe. This may be a great opportunity to try something new and creative with your photography that you have been scared to try on your regular family or portrait sessions.
Have your senior subjects show you the type of images they like! Not that you have to try and copy that style or edit, but it will give you some insight into what they find appealing or the style and vibe that they find cool.
This will also help you plan locations and give you a better idea of what type of outfits your senior might wear.
Always allow your senior to change outfits. I do not put any restrictions on this.
Clothes can be changed quickly and the more outfits you shoot, the more images you will sell. I always let moms know the more images there are, the harder it can be to choose and then let them decide what they want to do.
I always bring a few pieces of clothing to the photoshoot too. Not usually entire outfits, but jackets, scarfs, hats, pretty detail pieces that can be thrown on to catch the light or create movement. My seniors always love this and they feel like a model tossing on outfits and feeling great!
Seniors typically have a large online and social media presence, so they will usually want digital images more than prints. Try to be flexible with your photo packages and have something that includes BOTH: digital files for your senior subject AND prints for their parents and family.
Posing seniors is so much fun now! They are so free because most have grown up in front of the camera and have seen many images online to imitate. They probably know their best angles, how to smile, laugh, and do some amazing serious faces!
If you feel like your senior is a little shy, just start shooting and compliment their posing! They will start to relax if you assure them that they look wonderful and are going to love their images. You can even do the pose first to lighten the mood, and even be a little funny or exaggerated with how you do it.
I usually don't let clients look at the back of my camera while shooting, but I do forgo this rule with seniors. It will bolster their confidence that they are doing well, and help you both plan the best angles and looks for the rest of the shoot.
Try to manage moms or friends that came along on the shoot. If people are just standing around watching, it can make your senior feel awkward. Honestly, most friends will be supportive and helpful, but Moms can be difficult sometimes.
Be sure to talk with the parent while shooting and make sure you capture a variety of poses and faces. Parents want smiles, don't forget that! Basically, you should try to get a really good traditional portrait for the parents and then have fun with the rest.
If you feel like the Mom is bumming your senior out or being critical while shooting, try to start a conversation about how great they are doing and how you are so proud of their poise in front of the camera. Hopefully, it will calm your senior's anxiety about the photoshoot.
Sometimes multiple shoot dates or locations will be necessary. Talking to your senior and their family first will ensure that everyone understands what you can and can't do. I usually plan two separate photoshoots for most of my seniors. This seems to work well for everyone and gives us a good amount of images to choose from in the end.
Seniors are honestly some of my favorite subjects to shoot! They are so full of energy and promise for their future.
Make sure you enjoy and capture what makes them unique. Be creative - seniors are usually up for an adventure. Use that to inspire you and help you step out of your own creative box. You will be so happy you did!
Do you have any questions or comments about Senior Photo Sessions? Just leave us a comment below - we would LOVE to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!
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