Now for the fun part
Yay! You've made the decision to book and I'm so glad you did. Photographing seniors is a JOY for me. You're standing at the edge of something big, and I'm honored to help you (and your family!) mark it with photos you'll love looking at. I'll be guiding you each step of the way.
I've put this prep guide together from 15+ years of experience photographing families and seniors, and I'm always fine-tuning it. It answers most of the questions my clients ask: what to wear, where to shoot, what the day looks like, and what happens after. If yours isn't covered, email me. I promise, NOTHING will surprise me. I've got four kids of my own and I've seen it all.
Parents, this one's for you too. I know many of you are helping with planning (and the investment), so I've written this so you and your senior can read it together.
Let's get into it...
Three things make your final images what you want. I call it "setting the scene":
- Outfits
- location
- A skilled photographer who creates the style of photo art you love (you've hired me because you know what I'll deliver). That means coaching you through posing, so you never have to wonder what to do with your hands, and a fine-tuned practice of using my camera to create art.
Setting the scene
Senior portraits are different from every other photo you'll take this year. These aren't just photos for a frame on the mantel. They're the photos you'll use for the yearbook, announcements, and social media, and the ones your grandparents will carry in their wallets. That's a lot of jobs, so put real planning into your outfits. Your clothing is the paint color we load onto our brush.
First and foremost, start with the end in mind. Where will these photos live? A wall in your family's home? A dorm room? A grad announcement? Choose outfits that fit that story.
- Pick outfits that feel like YOU. The best senior photos look like the person walking into the room, not a costume. If you'd never wear it on a normal Saturday, skip it.
- Bring 2-3 outfit options. I'd suggest one classic, timeless look, one that shows off your personality, and, if you have one, your cap and gown or a school-spirit piece. If you know where you’re headed after graduation, bring a shirt or some swag along as well.
- Choose solid colors and simple textures. Skip large logos, bold plaids, and busy prints. We want the focus on your face and your personality.
- Fit matters more than trend. Choose clothes that fit well and are comfortable, so you can move naturally.
- Shoes count. If we're walking a brick path or a grassy field, we want shoes that work for it.
- Don't forget the details. Freshly done hair, a fresh haircut or trim, and clean or bare nails all show up in close-ups. If you're planning a hair or makeup appointment, book it close to your session.
- Undergarments matter! Avoid visible straps or lines under your outfits.
- Guys: neutrals and layers photograph beautifully. A button-down, a jacket, or a nice sweater goes a long way, and it's worth checking that everything fits well through the shoulders.
There are some great examples below and you can see a lot more inspiration on my Pinterest board.
My style focuses most on who you are, and relies less on the backdrop, but a beautiful setting is still part of the final result. Below are my "can't go wrong" spots around Tallahassee, and I'm always open to your ideas. If there's a place that means something to you, like your favorite park, your school, or the spot where you and your friends always end up, tell me. I love finding new spaces. Once you've picked, email me and let me know.
DOROTHY B. OVEN PARK
DOROTHY B. OVEN PARK
- Location: Thomasville Road just south of I-10
- entry fee: free
- notable: Blooms in spring but photographs well all year round. Photographs best in the mornings. From november through the end of december, there are christmas lights on display throughout the park. this is a lot of fun for kids to visit at night (they host an “elf night” each december), but is restrictive for photographs.
MACLAY GARDENS STATE PARK
MACLAY GARDENS STATE PARK
- location: Northeast Tallahassee, Maclay Road just north of i-10
- entry fee: $6 per vehicle + $6/$3 (adults/children) gardens entry during blooming months (january-april). see entry fee information here.
- notable: The classic southern garden look, with the iconic brick walkway and moss-covered trees. Blooms run January through April, and fall is warmer and richer. Bring flats if you're wearing heels, since the brick is tricky. I avoid Maclay in the hot, humid months because you'll be walking a lot.
ALFORD PARK GREENWAY
- location: east tallahassee, bucklake area at the end of pedrick road
- entry fee: free
- notable: Open fields, tall grasses, and a treetop bridge about a mile down the trail. It's wonderful for early morning or late afternoon light, and the look changes a lot through the year: greener in spring and summer, warmer and golden in fall, muted in winter.
GOODWOOD MUSEUM AND GARDENS
- location: midtown Tallahassee on miccosukee road near tallahassee memorial hospital
- entry fee: covered by me with my annual photography pass.
- notable: I consider this a crown jewel of Tallahassee. White buildings, green spaces, and moss-covered oaks. It sums up "old Florida" and looks great all year, and lots of variety fits in a small walking area. Entry is covered with my annual photography pass.
CHAIN OF PARKS
- location: downtown tallahassee on park avenue
- entry fee: parking meters along the street during certain hours. plan to have $1 in quarters to feed the meter
- notable: Small, with beautiful oaks over a brick walkway and easy access to a downtown city vibe. It's great for a quick session or headshots, but there will be some traffic and people around. Bring $1 in quarters for the meter.
RAILROAD SQUARE ART PARK
- location: off Gaines Street, near FSU and FAMU
- entry fee: free
- notable: Colorful, urban, artsy, and my old high school stomping grounds. It has the in-town energy many seniors want, and it's especially fitting for college seniors. Morning is best for fewer people and cars.
TALLAHASSEE NURSERIES
TALLAHASSEE NURSERIES
- location: midtown tallahassee, on thomasville road
- entry fee: Free though I advise adopting a beautiful plant to bring home. Founded in 1938, Tallahassee Nurseries is a longstanding Tallahassee business and they are gracious in allowing us to photograph there.
- notable: Greenhouses, pots, and benches, with a lush garden look you can't find anywhere else. It's a private business, so we'll work around their shoppers and move quickly.
YOUR OWN SCHOOL OR CAMPUS
Want to photograph on your own stomping grounds? Great!
We’ll check with the school about access during your session time. Reach out to me and let me know if you want to go this route so we can work out a plan.
Now that we've "set the scene," it's time for the show.
Please block off 1-2 hours. We're typically finished in 60-90 minutes, but I don't charge by the hour, so if there's a wardrobe change that takes longer or we want to hunt down one more spot, we have flexibility.
I know that "getting your photo taken" can feel awkward. Almost everyone feels that way at the start, and almost everyone tells me afterward that it was fun. I'll coach you through the posing and what to do with your hands and chin, and we'll keep things moving. Your job is to relax and follow my lead.
- Arrive a few minutes early for any last-minute dressing or hair and clothes adjustments.
- Bring water and a change of shoes if you need them.
- Parents: you're welcome to come along. Many parents are a great help carrying outfits and cheering us on. Some seniors relax more with a little space, so I may ask you to hang back for part of the session. Just let me know ahead of time if you'd like to be photographed with your senior, and I'll make sure we get those shots.
- Friends, pets, and props: If your dog, your car, your instrument, or your best friend is part of your story, bring them! Let me know ahead of time so we can plan.
Please don't worry about looking "perfect" or knowing how to pose. That's my job. I'll take care of the rest.
Two to three weeks after your session, you'll get an email from me letting you know your photos are ready. You'll see a slideshow of your images set to music. It's available for 24 hours, and you can watch as often as you'd like and choose your collection.
Each collection comes with digital files and a print credit. The credit works like a gift card for any print product in your gallery store, and you'll have a full month to choose your files and items.
$100 print credit
toward your choice of anything in the store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.collection A03.
$300 print credit
toward your choice of anything in the store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.collection B03.
$600 print credit
toward your choice of anything in the store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.collection C03.
Products
After you've seen your photos and purchased a collection, you may use the collection's included print credit toward any of the products here. The products in the store have been carefully selected. All are archival printed on Fuji or Hahnemühle professional stock papers, made to withstand ultraviolet light and aging for up to 100 years. Below are some of our favorites.
Professional Lab Prints
Your favorite images are professionally printed on archival quality photo paper with your choice of a fine art or deep matte finish. These full bleed prints (no white border) are available in a variety of sizes, and are perfect for framing and hanging on the wall or giving as a special gift.
size / matte or semi-gloss / fine art
4x6 / $60 / $70
5x7 / $60 / $70
8x10 / $60 / $130
11x14 / $90 / $180
Deckeled Edge Prints
Hand-torn prints that are truly unique with a rich and textured finish. Each print is carefully torn to reveal a soft feathered edge that adds a beautiful softness to each image. These archival prints are 100% cotton and acid-free. Perfect for mounting in a matted frame.
5x7 / $80
8x10 / $140
11x14 / $240
Lay Flat Albums
These premium albums are printed on high-end matte photo paper with thick, lay flat pages. Layout and design options are limited only by your imagination, and can be further customized with your choice of linen or leather covers and custom foiled letters. 10 spreads (20 pages) are included in the price below. Additional spreads (1 spread = 2 pages) can be added for $30 each.
8x8" / $600
10x10" / $800
Bundle of one main 12x12" & two duplicate 10x10" / $2000 (a great gift for grandparents. holiday gifts... done.)
Framed Prints
Made for living room and nursery walls. These frames are stunning and a simple, elegant way to display your beautiful images to enjoy for a lifetime. Custom made frames and 8-ply archival matte carefully hold your photos printed on fine art Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper. Finished with paper backing, sawtooth hangers, and felt bumpers. Ready to install from the moment you receive it.
8x10” (external measurement) / $300
11x14" (external measurement) / $330
16x24" (external measurement) / $580
20x24" (external measurement) / $610
Boxed collection of prints
A beautiful way to display your favorite photos from your session. Frame a few, gift a few, add more over time. This is a beautiful keepsake box to safely store your most treasured photos.
set of 24 matte finish, 4x6" prints in a brass and glass photo box / $300