For most parents, senior portraits are a distant memory. They have changed a lot over the last two decades, incorporating more creativity and individuality than ever before. Seniors have a lot more options available to them, ranging from traditional sessions in a studio to trendy urban shoots. This is the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their unique talents, passions, and personality, while also creating a lasting memory. But things can quickly become overwhelming for both parents and seniors with so many options available.

Today I’m sharing with you a few tips to help you prepare for your child’s upcoming senior portraits.

Make a Note of the Yearbook Deadline

Knowing the yearbook deadline encourages you to schedule a senior portrait session instead of putting it off until the last minute. Depending on your requirements, a senior photo session will start with a yearbook portrait followed by creative shots that are unique to your child. When working with me you can plan to have your fully edited gallery within 3 weeks, so plan accordingly.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind if you’re here in the East Valley. Yearbooks will typically have a commercial school photograph included, rather than a creative one. A lot of yearbooks allow parents to take out “ads” for their seniors and if that’s something you’re considering and want to include a creative shot of your senior, then you’ll want to book your senior portrait session so that you can submit your photo for December. So think fall rather than spring.

Keep Your Seniors Schedule in Mind

As a parent of a senior, you already know how crazy their schedules can be. Before you go ahead and schedule a session, sit down with your senior to discuss a good time. They should be just as involved in the planning as you are. Even the specific time of day matters when scheduling a senior session. Ideally, you want to take photos just after sunrise and just before sunset, as this is when the lighting’s the best. You’ll also want to keep in mind the season. Here in the greater Phoenix area September - October is still really hot. November through end of February is a temperature sweet spot but still not the prettiest. March through April (maybe May) has that gorgeous spring bloom that everyone loves. Regardless of the time of year, I have plenty of beautiful locations, whether urban or desert or verdant green, to choose from.

Compromise with your Child

You may have a specific idea about the photos you would like to see, but this is about your child and what makes them feel confident and comfortable. Most senior sessions allow for several outfit changes, so use this as an opportunity to find a happy balance between what you want and what your senior wants. Be patient and hear them out before you brush off their ideas. Their portraits should represent who they are and what they love.

Encourage Sharing

When the photographer sends your senior a questionnaire, and I will send a questionnaire, encourage them to fill it out as thoroughly as possible. This will not only help me get to know your senior beforehand but should also help them to narrow in on a style of shoot, location ideas, and potential props they’d like to bring into it.

This is a significant milestone for not only your senior but for you too Mom (&/or Dad)! This is it…you’ve made it to the finish line and this is worth celebrating. And with some forethought and planning your senior portrait session will go as smoothly as possible.