5 Tips for Epic Senior Portraits...during a Pandemic

May 21, 2020 • 1 Comment

Class of 2020 - This was supposed to be YOUR YEAR!

You were looking forward to Senior Ball, Graduation, Grad Night, and getting epic Senior Photos to share with friends...

Then came a global pandemic like nothing we could have ever imagined. And everything stopped.

By now, you may be adjusting to the new norm, but nothing can take away the disappointment of losing all the things you were looking forward to for the last 4 years.

Mind Shift

No doubt, it's a sucky situation! But there is another way to look at it - if you're willing. After all, graduating high school in the middle of a global pandemic after being forced to stay home, take classes online, (and see none of your friends) is a HUGE accomplishment that deserves to be recognized! So what can you do?

How about creating a Custom Senior Portrait Experience with a professional photographer! I'm not talking about studio fake drape cap & gown shots. Think cool locations, fun outfits, your hobbies, talents, sports, and maybe even the family pets! Even with current social distancing guidelines, you can still have an amazing Senior Portrait Experience!!!

Here's what you need to know:

5 Tips for Epic Senior Portraits - from a San Francisco Bay Area Photographer

Before the Session - Set up a virtual (or in person) meeting with your photographer to plan the details of your session (style, locations, clothing, etc...).
Decide on Locations that match your Style (ex. natural/park/rural, urban/downtown/city, grunge/graffiti, artsy/architectural, beach, etc...)
Make it Personal - Incorporate the things you're into (sports, hobbies, interests, pets), cap & gown, and college logo gear (clothes, banners, college town momentos).
During the Session - HAVE FUN WITH IT!!! Your best pictures will be the ones where you're not looking stiff and posed.
After the Session - Meet with your photographer for a virtual (or in-person) Ordering Appointment where you can see your pictures up on a big screen, and look at samples of all the cool things you can do with our pictures.

* For the Girls - Do professional hair & makeup. Your pro photographer should have hair & makeup artists they regularly work with.

Here's a few portraits from a recent Senior Portrait Session, all done at a local park with 5 different outfits... and socially distanced.

What to Look for when Choosing a Professional Senior Photographer

Genuinely interested in getting to know YOU - your personality, what you're into, style, etc...
Offers a pre-shoot Consultation (virtually or in person) to plan the details of your Senior Portrait Session.
Customizes your session vs. doing the same boring cookie-cutter shots for every client.
Willing to travel to multiple shoot locations, allow several outfit changes, and be flexible on time.
Gives you suggestions on locations that match the look and feel you're after.
Meets with you for an in-person (or virtual) Ordering Appointment, showing you samples of all the things you can do with your Senior Portraits.
Offers both Senior Portrait Packages and a la carte options that include unique high-quality custom products.

Things to Consider - Portraits in the Age of COVID-19

With restrictions slowly loosening, here are some things to consider in order to stay healthy during your portrait session:

Photography Equipment - Make sure your photographer has a long telephoto lens to get close up shots while remaining socially distant.

Location - For now, I'm choosing locations which don't typically have a lot of other people in close proximity. Consider locations closer to home.

Bring a Mask - Most seniors aren't interested in taking portraits with a mask on, but you should still keep one on hand in the event you run into other people.

Bring Hand Sanitizer/Wipes - To use before & after session. As always, don't touch your face.

Do what makes you comfortable - We all have our own comfort levels with regards to keeping healthy and safe during this unprecedented time. Do NOT do anything that feels risky or uncomfortable. A professional photographer should never put you in an unsafe situation!

Get the Latest from Cheryl Delivered Right to your Inbox!

Just enter your email in the Subscribe box above. Subscribers help me keep this Blog going, and it would mean the world!

Thanks!

Cheryl

Keywords: class of 2020, high school senior photos, senior blog, senior photographer, senior photography, senior portrait tips, Senior Portraits

Comments

Eve Mitchell(non-registered)

Thanks for the tip about finding a photographer that can help you with poses and awkwardness. I really want to get nice photos of my daughter for her graduation, but she's very camera shy. I'd love to find a photographer that makes her feel comfortable with it.

No comments posted.

Home»Blog