Clothing

• The Classic Package allow for 1 outfit change and the Premium and Ultimate Sessions includes 2 and 3 outfits changes (respectively). I recommend accessories like jackets, scarves, etc. that can be added/removed for a different look.

• You'll want to wear what you normally wear, but "kicked up a notch". Add some funky jewelry, a hat, leggings, a scarf, a belt, or some other accessory. Just be sure that the accessory is not so loud that it distracts from you. Mix up your clothing from dressy to casual – Fun stuff you’d wear to hang out with friends (jeans!), and something sophisticated that will work well for sending a photo in with your future applications. Can’t decide what to wear? Bring lots of wardrobe choices, and between the two of us, we'll make sure you look your absolute best!

• Feel free to bring your uniform/jersey if you’d like to highlight some of your sports. For the Ultimate Package, we typically will shoot you in your uniform/jersey for the sportrait session portion.

• Hats are great for a few shots, but please don’t wear one prior to your session and get “hat hair.”

• Be sure to bring along shoes to match each outfit.

• Try your clothing on in advance to be sure it fits comfortably and is flattering. Bend over, sit down, etc. and make sure that you don’t have skin showing where it shouldn’t be in certain positions and that you’re able to do such movements.

• Bring a variety of colors and styles — ex.) not 3 outfits with the same color.

• Avoid shirts with writing or big logos on the front.

• If you intend to wear a “strappy” dress or light-colored clothing, be sure to wear or bring the appropriate undergarments that will not show in your photos.

• Do not wear baggy clothing that may give the appearance that you are larger than you really are and avoid tight clothing that you are uncomfortable in, as you may not be able to do certain poses this way. A very short skirt can also really limit the variety of poses that you will be able to do.

• Remember that during outdoor sessions in particular locations, there may not be a place for you to change your clothes, so plan accordingly (wear clothes that you can layer or that can be changed in the car).

PERSONALITY & sports / hobbies

You only get you senior photos done once and I want to make sure they are a true reflection of you! I am very flexible in giving you artistic control of them (and actually encourage it!) and can help with any suggestions if you aren’t sure how to convey your activities, hobbies or ideas. If there is any idea you want to try, don’t hesitate to bring it up. You are more than welcome to bring props, especially the ones that are a part of who you are. They can add so much to a photo and give it more of a story.

Feel free to bring sporting equipment (football, football helmet, ball & glove, batting helmet, bat, mitt, soccer ball, volleyball, hockey stick, pom poms, baton, etc.), sports uniforms, trophies/medals, musical instruments (Can’t bring drums? Bring the sticks!), tap or ballet shoes, sunglasses, iPod, books, motorcycle or snowmobile helmet, etc. If you are a volunteer firefighter, bring your uniform and helmet. Going into the Armed Forces? Bring along something to represent that major change in your life. Bring your class ring if you have one. Vehicles are welcome at outdoor sessions (be sure they're clean, inside and out!). I can also take photos of you with your snowmobile, quad, dirt bike, etc. Pets can be included in outdoor shots as well, as long as we choose a location that they are welcome.

For the Classic and Premium Packages, I can help showcase your sports/activities in a few photos with the natural light available and perhaps one off camera strobe. If you are more interested in leveling up your sports photos, my Ultimate Package provides a separate full studio lighting session on top of your normal senior session, utilizing my full studio lighting (indoors and/or outdoors), and use of a fog machine/atmosphere aerosols, backdrops, and pro mod lighting to up your game.

Parents and Friends

Parents are encouraged to be present during the entire session. (Mom and Dad – I do discourage barking orders or bickering during your child’s session… remember, this is supposed to be fun, and we want him/her to be happy and relaxed.) You are welcome to bring a friend or two as well! If you’d like a few photos with a friend(s) outside your immediate family, there is a +$25 per person charge. Immediate family is no charge!

Session Tips and Tidbits:

• Sleep and eat! - Try to get a lot of REST the night before your shoot. Don’t stress over it; trust me - we’re going to have a great time together! Make sure you EAT before your session so you’re not miserably hungry. If you are bringing family or friends to your session, feed them, too!

• Skin – Please don’t lay in the sun all day prior to your shoot. Red or peeling skin is not a good look! Severe sunburn is not only bad for you, but it is bad for your session, because we will probably have to reschedule. Be aware of tan lines if you have them and try to choose clothing that will cover them up.

• Acne - Don't worry about having a few pimples here and there! I can remove these in post-processing. (Hooray for the magic of Photoshop!)

• Hair - Don't try a new hairstyle the morning of your session. Play around in the weeks beforehand to see what works and what doesn't. Use a little extra hair spray, but not so much that your hair is stiff. Get a haircut at least a month in advance for girls or a week in advance for guys, so that the hair has time to grow a little and look more natural. Don’t do anything drastic that you might regret later! Especially a color change! If you maintain coloring on your hair, try to schedule a color appointment that will give you the right amount of washing before your photos. (Everyone who colors has that “sweet spot” they like better than the first day!) Remember, you still want to look like YOU in your photos. So if you’ve had long hair for quite some time, now might not be the time to get a short haircut if you’re not sure that you’ll love it.

• Makeup - Wear what you normally wear, but slightly darker than normal. Please use care while applying eye makeup (eye liner, mascara), as your eyes will be the focal point of many of your photos.

• Glasses - If you wear glasses, please see your optometrist about loaning you a pair without lenses, or have your lenses removed for your session. If this is not an option, I will do my best to avoid glass glare and will try my best to remove the glare in post-processing.

• Scars/Birth Marks - Scars/birth marks will be removed only at your request. Please tell me at the time of your session what your preference is.

Posing/ Expressions

I know it sounds silly, but practice DOES make perfect. Practice different expressions and poses in the mirror before your session. Here are a couple of things to try:

• Look in the mirror and form a smile with your mouth. Now try it again, this time thinking about whatever makes you happy, and try to let that smile reach your eyes. By this, I mean, do you see how when you naturally smile, the lines form around your eyes and they light up? THIS is what we’re aiming for – not a “deer in the headlights” look.

• Try some different expressions, like the dreaded “serious face” or smiling with no teeth showing. See what you like and what you don’t.

• Use Pinterest! Take note of some of poses that you’d like and try. Feel free to message or e-mail me some pictures of poses or shots that you’d like to try to incorporation into your session.

Yearbook Shots

Each high school has different yearbook requirements that are constantly changing, so I rely on you to find out that information and provide it to me. Typically we will need to know the email address, deadline and file format. Some schools also require a particular color background and posing. Please provide me this information prior to your session so we can capture exactly what you need! Before your school’s print deadline we recommend that you follow up with your yearbook staff to insure they received your image. If you find out after your session that your YB requirements have changed or they weren’t known by you at your session date, please let me know and I can help you.

Payment

After receiving your questionnaire, I will send you the session contract and invoice via e-mail. The session fee and signed contract are due prior to or at your session. Payment can be paid by cash, check, Venmo or a credit card (through online invoice).

After the Session

Once your session is over you'll receive your digital proof gallery within the week for you to select your favorite images for me to do full edits on. If you’d like to purchase additional images beyond the set amount of your package, each additional image is $15. In 2-3 weeks, I will provide you with a final gallery with all your selected fully edited images. You'll be able to download them and also be able to share with family and friends easily. You can also purchase prints/canvases with my selected professional laboratory through your gallery as well!

If you’d like me to post a few sneak peeks on Facebook or Instagram, I can do that for you. If you’d rather wait to get all the images and post the photos on your own social media first, I will totally respect that.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire with your senior below so that I can better gauge the feel for you session and photos. Questions with an * are required, while others you can choose to fill out if applicable. Once your answers are submitted, I’ll be sending you a contract and model release (via e-mail) for your review and signature prior to your session. Contract must but signed and submitted prior to the date of your session. I look forward to working with you!