Ahhhh, senior year is HERE!! Let’s go!! This season is filled with big milestones, fun events, sweet memories, and so many things to look forward to. And one of the very best parts? Your senior photos! 

I know this year can get busy (and sometimes even a little overwhelming), which is exactly why I want your once-in-a-lifetime senior session to feel easy, fun, and completely you. To help, I’ve put together a checklist to make sure you feel prepped and confident for your senior session, so once you get there, it’s all smiles!

Things To Think About When Choosing Your Date 

As you are deciding what season you want to take your photos in and choosing your date, I will send over things to keep in mind about each season. Spring, fall, summer, and winter all have their pros and cons! 

• The spring is great for bright colors and is when all of the graduation events are happening (perfect way to really celebrate!).
• The winter season is often forgotten but has beautiful clear light and way less crowds.
• The end of summer is great for beach sessions (and you’ll have your beach tan still!) and knocking out your photos before after-school activities and practices start back up.
• The fall is cooler and has a whole new wardrobe you can pull from with lots of accessories!

Most importantly, it has to be a good time for you, your schedule, and how you want your photos to look! If you need help making a decision, I’m here to help (especially during your pre-session planning call!). 

Pro Tip: Once you know where you want your photos taken and around when you would like to book, look into what major events are happening in the area. 

Sometimes, events can make a session a nightmare. For instance, I will avoid shooting in Raleigh anytime the State Fair is in town. The traffic is insane, and it can crowd backgrounds, and it’s not the experience I want to provide, so just keep some of the events of the area in mind. I’ll do my best to look ahead and inform you as well, but it’s better to do it right when you book, instead of having to reschedule. 

Plan Beauty Appointments Early!!! 

We want you looking and feeling your absolute BEST! Take this time to go full glam – book the spray tan, get your nails done, freshen up your hair… all the things! Just make sure you don’t do it last minute. Give yourself a little buffer to, one, let everything settle in (like your tan), and two, make sure you love it before you step in front of the camera. 

Once you book with me, it’s time to start planning appointments with your other beauty artists. It’s always the sooner, the better. 

Book your spray tan (or hit the tanning bed) at least 48 hours in advance. I definitely recommend getting your spray tan done professionally. (My girls at Sun of a Gun are the best). Avoid self tanner because we don’t want orange hands or patchy spots in your photos!

Speaking of hands, don’t forget your nails! If you’re not really a manicure girl, at least make sure your nails are nice and clean. Really, just don’t leave chipped nail polish on — it’s one of those little details that I won’t be able to fix in editing!!

The earlier you book your senior session with me, the more time we’ll have for your planning call, outfit shopping, and pulling your whole look together. The earlier we start, the more relaxed and confident you’ll feel walking into your big day—and trust me, it makes all the difference! 💖

It’s never too early to book with me! This way we can have your planning session early, giving you enough time to shop, try on, and finalize all your perfect outfits to pull your whole vision together for your senior photo day. The earlier we start, the more relaxed and confident you’ll feel!

Things to Pack and Bring With You to Your Session

You want to make sure you have everything you need for your session before you head out. We will talk through your outfits and locations during your pre-session planning call, but here’s a list of things I recommend to bring that you may not have thought of: 

• Bring Lip touch-up 
• Pack all your accessories (props, jewelery, belts, shoes, etc.) the night before so you don’t forget to bring them! 
• Steam all your outfits and keep them in a dress bag if you can to keep them nice and wrinkle-free
• If it’s hot outside, bring water!!! Also bring bug spray if you tend to get eaten up (I’ve always got mine on me) 
• For my beach sessions, bring a towel and a spare set of clothes to change into post-shoot (just in case). You might get out there and be called out into the water. I like to leave all the options open!! 

The Day Of Your Senior Photos

Today is finally the day!! You’re prepared, packed, and ready to go! 

For travel, make sure to leave a little early to account for traffic, especially in the spring and fall with school, work, and NC farm traffic! You want to get to your session a little early or right on time so you can feel prepared and we have plenty of light to work with. 

This is such an exciting time in your life! It’s the beginning of a new chapter, and it’s the perfect time to honor you and everything you’ve achieved so far. I want it to be fun, happy, and light, so I’m here for anything you could possibly need in the planning process. I love helping with outfits, brainstorming ideas, and making sure you feel excited and comfortable. 

I’m here if you need me, and I can’t wait to work with you!!!