Dirt Road Photography
Senior Experience
I am so, so excited to officially have you as a DRP senior!!! I have been photographing seniors for almost a decade, and it is truly my absolute favorite work that I do. Photographing each of my seniors is such a huge honor, and I can’t wait to have a blast together and capture some beautiful images!
My goal with this Senior Style Guide is to help you prepare for your shoot and get the MOST out of your experience. Your senior session is SUCH an exciting memory and a huge investment…so it’s my job to be sure you are fully prepared! In this guide you will find everything from suggestions for outfits, hair and makeup, ways to customize your experience, what to expect the day of your shoot, how your final gallery will work and everything in between! Please take the time to read it thoroughly to ensure you have all of the information you need to make your shoot the absolute best it can be!
My promise as your photographer is that I will make you look and FEEL like the best version of YOU! I want your shoot and your images to reflect exactly who you are, and I’m here to help ensure we make that happen. Use the content in this guide as suggestions, but feel free to reach out to me at any point in the planning process to chat about how we can make it personal to YOU and create images that you will look back on and love for years to come.
Can’t wait to see you!
XOXO, Kelsey
I'M kelsey!
Now that we've gotten to know each other, let's dive into the good stuff!
I started my business over 10 years ago. My selfish reason for starting my business is because I told myself someday I wanted to stay home and create my own schedule. I loved taking pictures and said it was time to just save up a years worth of salary and jump in with both feet. It was one of the best jumps I've ever made! Now, I live just outside of Wilber, NE and my life is filled with chasing sports schedules and trying to convince the hoomans to get a bernedoodle or mini cows. (I'm trying hard friends, it's a tough sell) I also love reading books, binge listening to podcasts and of course, snacking. Oh all the snacking!
in case we haven't met...
What to expect
Now that you are booked and things are officially official - let’s talk through the entire senior experience, step-by-step! Your senior experience starts NOW, and I want you to know what’s around every corner as you begin to prep for your shoot day!
01
Alongside this style guide, you are going to receive a senior questionnaire to complete via your Honeybook project. This questionnaire will help me to get to know you, your style and your preferences so that I can create the best possible senior experience for you! It will be sent about two weeks before your session. Please take the time to fill it out thoroughly - the more info you give me, the more I can customize your experience and be sure your images reflect YOU! But, finish reading this guide first…there’s helpful stuff in here!
the style guide & questionaire
02
the week before
As we get closer to the day of your shoot, you can expect to hear from me with our meeting time, location and final check-in! I photograph senior portraits at “golden hour” which is 2 hours before sunset. We have likely already decided your start time! This time of day will have the most amazing, glowy light, cooler temperatures and less crowds at popular locations. Because of this, I like to wait until we are 1-2 weeks from your shoot date to lock in an exact meeting time based on the time of the sunset. If there are clouds or rain storms in the forecast, this also allows me to plan around the weather to ensure we get the best lighting possible! So, if we planned for around 6pm…it may end up that 5:30pm or 6:30pm is actually the best time to meet. That is super normal!
03
the shoot day!
This section of the style guide could be its own book in itself! SO many fun things to talk about on the day of your shoot! Your shoot will be 1.5-2 hours in total. Let’s dive into what to expect each minute of your senior session:
The importance of being on time
First things first: being on time for your shoot is VITAL. And I don’t just say that because of my time…I say that because we are on the SUN’S time. Since we plan your shoot around the ideal time for golden lighting…being late means that you lose that time off of your shoot. Even being 15 minutes late means that we’ve lost 15 minutes of light. Once the sun goes down…we can’t shoot anymore! So, try to plan to be 15 minutes early for your session. That way, even if you hit traffic or a delay…it doesn’t eat into your shooting time! If you are more than 30 minutes late for your session, we will have to reschedule for my soonest available date (which is typically 1-2 months out during busy season).
the first 15 minutes
When you arrive at your shoot, the first thing we are going to do is look through your outfits together! Even if you send me photos beforehand (and I hope you do!), we will run through them together on the day-of to map out exactly where we will photograph each look and when you will change. This helps us to go in with a game plan and decide which outfit will look best in which location. Sometimes there will be flowers in bloom that coordinate with a specific dress or a prop that we want to use at a specific spot…so there’s some strategy that goes into this!
Changing Outfits + Locations
I frequently get asked where my seniors will change outfits on their shoot day…and the answer is almost always in your car! Typically, the locations that we shoot don’t have public bathrooms…which isn’t ideal. But, you can take a break in your car for some heat or air conditioning in between each outfit! If you’d prefer to have a bathroom to change, just let me know ahead of time and I will be sure to select locations that have this option.
Posing + Shooting
The BIGGEST and most important thing that I want you to know about your shoot day is this: I am going to tell you what to do the ENTIRE time! You do NOT need to have any posing or modeling experience. I’ve actually never photographed a real model in my entire 10+ years of being a photographer! Part of your investment in your senior portraits is my experience and ability to pose you and make you look (and feel!) your absolute best. So, there’s no reason to be nervous at all! I will guide you through every single pose and I promise the BIGGEST compliment I get from seniors is that I make it so easy. It’s going to be a blast!
After we look through your outfits together, we will start shooting! We typically spend 20-30 minutes photographing each outfit before changing and moving to the next spot. I try to always save the BEST outfit for last…so keep that in mind when planning your faves!
Who to bring with you
I request that at least one parent or guardian joins us for your senior session. But, whether they join us for the entire shoot or wait in the car is totally up to you. The most important thing to think about is what will make you feel the most COMFORTABLE in front of the camera. If you tend to be more shy and will feel awkward having your mom or dad watching the entire time…we can ask them to wait in the car. If you LOVE having a hype squad and want everyone to follow us as we shoot…let’s do it! I just ask that we are still able to keep your images as the top priority with minimal distractions. Bringing a large group of friends can sometimes mean that you get distracted while in front of the camera…and that can mean you don’t get as many images or time is taken away from shooting. So, I recommend only bringing 1-2 people along…this ensures it won’t take away from your focus as we shoot!
Another frequently asked question is “who do I bring with me!?” And this has a two-part answer!
Deciding who you want to be PHOTOGRAPHED with! One of my favorite additions to any senior session is your favorite people. If you want to have your best friend(s), significant other, parents, pet or anyone else join in your photos…they are more than welcome! I just request that they wait to meet us until the last 15-20 minutes of your shoot. This way, we can make YOU the focus for the majority of the session with minimal distractions…and still capture photos with your favorite people as the grand finale! More on this later in the guide!
part 1...
part 2...
LET's talk locations...
are they a big deal?
Aside from choosing your outfits (which we are diving into next, don’t worry!) - choosing your LOCATIONS is a huge part of what will determine the overall style and aesthetic of your images. It also takes a little bit of logistical planning to map out where we will shoot and the travel time between locations. Overall, there are a few things to keep in mind when picking where to shoot:
It’s actually not the location that matters most…it’s the LIGHT!
YEP. This is hard to understand if you aren’t a photographer, but hear me out: if you have the most beautiful garden location in mind with tons of fluffy flowers and manicured walkways…but it’s in the DIRECT sunlight all day long…it’s actually not an ideal place to shoot. It would be better to have the session in a random field on the side of the highway with gorgeous back-light coming through the trees…because the LIGHT is what makes the biggest difference in the whole world! Trust me on this one!!
Try to think of an overall “feel” or “vibe” for your shoot…and let this guide your location choices!
While the location of your shoot totally matters…it may not matter quite as much as you think. The majority of the images in your final gallery will be close-up images…meaning you can’t see a whole lot of the background. What you CAN see is the colors, light and overall “feel” of the location. For example, if you want a field filled with flowers…we probably don’t a literal flower field that is huge. We're in Nebraska, that's typically not a reality! We just need one small section of flowers to give your images that overall feel. If you want water/lake vibes…we don’t need to photograph every image on open waters with miles of open sky. We can do some in the water, some on the banks, and some with it in the background…you get the idea! The point is: don’t get so caught-up and stressed over one specific location. Choose a “vibe” that you want…and I can help you pick spots that will make that happen!
I have one request: pretty please TRUST me on this part!
When I tell you that some of my most AMAZING images have been created in the weirdest locations…I mean it! The two photos on this page were taken off the side of the highway in a ditch filled with weeds and trash. I'm not kidding!!
I’ve asked my seniors to crawl into random floral bushes and sit in crazy positions to get the right angle. I’ve even had clients walk out on scary rocks or tree limbs in the middle of the river for an epic shot! And, they all got some of the BEST work I’ve ever created because they TRUSTED me as their photographer. I may have an idea or location suggestion that sounds crazy…but it’s because I have 10+ years of experience finding the lighting and composition that will create stellar images. Even if it sounds insane!
So, my biggest request is that you trust me even if I sound crazy…I promise you’ll always be glad you did!!
clatonia lake
Haymarket
pioneers park
Clatonia
Lincoln
Tobias
NRD Pond
doane university
Downtown
Tuxedo Park
Wilber
Crete
Crete
Crete
homolka farm
"S" Curves
CHALOUPKAVILLE
downtown
Wilber
Wilber
Wilber
Wilber
Lonestar Lake
Tobias
Now for the most FUN part and hands-down the most frequently asked question: WHAT DO I WEAR!? Choosing what you will wear for your photo shoot is a huge decision that can make or break your senior portrait session! I know that sounds intense... but, if you wear something that you don’t feel confident in or that doesn’t photograph well on camera...it can ruin the experience for you! So, the Senior Style Guide to the rescue! This section will break down my best tips for what to wear and how to style your senior session outfits (plus LOTS of fun inspiration!)
WHAT TO WEAR
1. be comfortable
The NUMBER ONE, most important thing to remember when planning your outfits: if it’s not comfortable to wear in real life, it won’t make you feel confident on camera! If you do not like fitted clothing (super tight dresses or pieces that fit awkwardly) then leave them at home! Personally, I try to steer clear of items that are fitted in the tummy area (don’t we all?) just because it makes me self- conscious and I’m constantly wondering if it looks bad. So, if there are pieces in your closet that make you feel self- conscious or uncomfortable, don’t include them in your senior portrait wardrobe! I also recommend trying to steer clear of anything that you have to constantly adjust or is at risk of being revealing. You’ll be doing lots of moving and posing, so if the outfit is super low-cut…you’re at risk of things slipping while we shoot!
2. be yourself
At risk of sounding cheesy…staying true to yourself with your outfits is so, so important. When you look back at these images in 20+ years…you’ll want them to truly reflect YOU! If you aren’t someone who ever dresses up or enjoys being fancy…don’t feel like you need to go buy a fancy dress just for photos. If you don’t enjoy being girly and wearing frilly dresses or lots of makeup…then leave them at home! Don’t feel pressured to buy anything new or outside of your usual style just because you are getting photos taken. This entire shoot is meant to be about who YOU are in this exciting season of life…so don’t change a single thing about ya!
3. Be bold + consider using color
Use this shoot as an opportunity to have a little bit of fun with your outfits + colors! On camera, solid black + white can make skin tones look washed out and unflattering. When choosing outfits for your senior session, try to choose colors that compliment your hair + skin tones! Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. Sometimes, color combos that may seem odd in-person end up photographing BEAUTIFULLY on camera! Don’t shy away from toned down colors!
4. add layers
In the cold months (fall + winter), adding layers to your outfits always looks STUNNING in portraits! A sweater with a flannel underneath paired with a vest + statement earrings or scarf adds so much dimension to your images and makes for super fun posing options! Even in the warmer months (spring + summer) you can add these layers + dimension by wearing a tank top with a cute sheer cardigan or by throwing a denim jacket over a dress!
5. play with textures
Sometimes textures like feathers, furs and 3D florals can be considered too extra…but, in portraits, they are the BEST! Adding texture to your outfit can make a huge difference. I also love to photograph pieces with MOVEMENT: long, flowy dresses with epic trains or fun feathers that move when you twirl. It adds a super fun element to your pictures!
6. don't be afraid to Accessorize
There is a whole section dedicated to props and accessories coming up in this guide…but it’s honestly one of the most important parts! Adding accessories like jewelry, hats, fun shoes, purses, etc. to your outfits really makes them feel like YOU and adds a whole new layer of detail to your senior gallery. I’m a huge fan of statement earrings, a nude lip color, a super fun shoe, floppy sun hats…ALL of these things give us so much more variety with posing + create such beautiful pictures!
7. mix it up
When planning your outfits, make sure that you have a VARIETY of looks! I tell all of my seniors to choose from these categories: casual, cozy, dressy, school- related, sports-related, preppy or edgy. I always recommend choosing 3-4 of those categories and finding outfits accordingly. This provides a beautiful array of looks during your senior portrait session, so each outfit looks drastically different and you get tons of variety!
Outfit inspo
This next area will act as inspiration from previous seniors who NAILED it with their outfit choices + styling for their session! We've included two links for you to check out. You can also click the button below to see my Pinterest board of ever-changing outfit and style inspiration. We've also dropped a link for our Amazon storefront, it's packed with personally curated pieces we love and highly recommend for your senior session.
click to see pinterest
click to see amazon storefront
Takayln
Takaylnn's senior session was a dream! She worked beforehand with me to stylize outfits that all coordinated. She fully trusted me with locations and lighting and the results were stunning! Takaylnn really wanted to highlight greeny lush colors + lots of florals. We scheduled this shoot around the wildflowers being in bloom.
- 2 dresses + two top/jean combos allowed for tons of variety
- Pops of bright whites and muted neutral colors accented her location choices perfectly and made her really stand out in her photos!
- A fun little hat and flower accessories accented her outfits and made the perfect images
click for full blog post
Madison
Maddy's senior session was based on a more urban vibe! I love that she choose all blues and black pops to bring out her personality and love the neutral tones of the industrial look of the city. She did a fabulous job of combining layers + textures in a way that kept her image balanced plus added interest to her images.
- 2 dresses + two top/jean combos allowed for tons of variety
- Pops of bright whites and muted neutral colors accented her location choices perfectly and made her really stand out in her photos!
- A fun little hat and flower accessories accented her outfits and made the perfect images
click for full blog post
THINGS TO AVOID:
Now, there’s a few important things to AVOID that are worth having their own section of this guide! As a general rule of thumb, these are the things to stay away from…
1. Pieces that are sheer, too fitted or potentially revealing
We already touched on this quickly…but it’s important! You will be doing a lot of moving throughout your shoot, so wearing pieces that have to sit juuuuust right or that are at risk of slipping aren’t a good idea. And, if pieces are super thin or sheer, it may be see-through in your photos or easily show sweat marks in the summer months.
2. The wrong undergarments
This is something that may slip your mind as you are planning your outfits…but it is SO important! Be sure to bring along multiple bras if you are wearing something strapless or that requires a sticky/backless bra. And, wearing a neutral pair of undies is the best way to go to ensure it’s not showing through anything!
3. Pay attention to wrinkles
We will be doing a lot of moving around, sitting, walking, etc. at your shoot. If the material of your outfit really easily wrinkles...you may want to be careful. Pay close attention to textures and remember that not everything is as easy to edit out as you may think! Editing out wrinkles from a dress can take hours PER PHOTO...which can result in your images taking a lot longer to get back or requiring additional fees for extensive edits.
places to shop
I mentioned it earlier on in the guide, but I'm going to say it again: buying new clothes is NOT required for your senior session! Sometimes it's actually BETTER to use clothes you already have that you know are true to YOU and your day-to-day style. But, if you want to use your session as an excuse to shop a bit - I'm going to share some of my favorite spots!
This is the fun part...
The Freckled Door
Ana Patricia Boutique
Rose Refinery
Ash & Ash Co
Brick Road Boutique
Allure Fashion
Rose Refinery
P-Town's Daily Grind
Magnolia & Main
Four Sisters Boutique
DRESSING FOR THE SEASONS
Sometimes it can be easier to pick outfits for the spring/summer months than it is in the cooler fall/winter months. I also have some seniors who want to have a separate session during BOTH times of year to capture the different looks and styles that a new season brings along. So, this section of the guide is going to help you break down how to prep your outfits according to the time of year that we are capturing your portraits! Another important thing to keep in mind about the time of year is the SUNSET. In the summer months, shoots won't start until 5 or 6pm...but we will need to start much earlier (3-4pm) in the winter months to accommodate the earlier sunset.
winter
You may think winter is a bad time for pictures, but it doesn't have to be! You can brighten up any dull background with bright colors, fun textures and lots of layers! Fun hats, scarves, gloves and even ear muffs can photograph SO cute! We love all the accessories that winter can add to your wardrobe!
My personal FAV time of year for portraits, when all of the flowers are in bloom! Some feel like they need to shy away from color so they don't clash with the blooming flowers, but I disagree! A soft/muted pink against florals are a DREAM. Try coordinating with the colors plus add in pastels!
The only downside of summer portraits is the HEAT. You'll want to keep that in mind when choosing your outfits. Save the warmest outfits for the END of the shoot when it's cooler outside. Consider wearing muted tones to stand out against everything being in full bloom!
This is my second favorite time of year to shoot! I love the cooler temps and the fall color palette, and including layers into your outfits opens up a whole new set of options for posing. Cute booties, scarves, jackets, cozy cardigans...I'm here for ALL of it! Bring on all things fall ya'll! ;)
spring
summer
fall
Make it feel like YOU!
This is clearly a theme of this entire guide! The goal of adding in props or accessories is to make the shoot feel even more like YOU. Try to think creatively about the things that make you who you are. What are your hobbies? Favorite colors and styles? Extracurricular activities? Do you LOVE bright, girly colors and want to have a ton of florals in your images to compliment that? Are you an athlete with medals and trophies that you want to highlight? Do you already know your plans for college and want to have celebratory images to share about your next steps? Let’s do all the things!!!
Hats + Jewelry
One of the best parts about bringing extra options for props is that it gives us VARIETY. If you bring things like hats, purses, extra jewelry, shoe options, etc...we can mix and match these pieces throughout your shoot to give you a TON of options in your final gallery. For example, if you bring a floppy sunhat with you...we may throw it on for a quick 2-3 minutes in each of your 3-4 outfits. Instantly, you have a ton of variety in looks and images just by adding and removing that one piece!
Fluffy Flowers, anyone?
One of my FAV ways to elevate any senior session is to add in some beautiful florals. To my girly girls, this one’s for you! There are so many ways to incorporate flowers into your shoot. You can contact a local florist to put together a floral bouquet or snag one at the grocery store on your way to your session. If you want to talk more about how to incorporate florals, reach out to me and I’m happy to help!
Friends + boyfriends + pets, oh my!
We talked earlier about how to decide WHO to bring with you at your shoot, and I just wanted to encourage you one more time to include the people that matter most to you! If you have a pet, a friend, a significant other or a family member that is a huge part of your life, they should be featured in your photos! You'll be so glad you did when you look back at your images 10 years from now.
PROPS & ACCESSORIES
Now that we have a better idea of the overall style for your session based on your outfits and locations, let’s add in the pretty details! First, let me clarify: this part is TOTALLY optional! If you don’t want to add any props or accessories to your shoot, you don’t have to! All we need is YOU to make your shoot amazing. But, if you want to personalize your shoot even further and add in some fun “extras”...this section of the guide is going to help you!
Let’s be super extra…
If you want to book a location that is extra unique I would LOVE to create some magic for you! Think of something fun like a pumpkin patch or maybe you're really into coffee and want to use a location like a coffee shop. Whatever those extra's are, we'd love to incorporate them into your senior session!
SPORTS + HOBBIES
One of the easiest + best ways to customize your senior experience is to add in some of your favorite things that you do every day! I've had seniors want to highlight the sport they play, their favorite foods, their love for reading, shopping or even livestock...I've done it ALL! Use this section of the guide to start brainstorming ways we can creatively incorporate what makes you YOU!
Athletics + Sports
If you play a sport that is a huge part of your high school career...we need to highlight it! You can bring along your uniform + equipment (volleyball, basketball, etc.) for some really fun and unique photos. You can also consider adding in any medals, trophies or letters you have to highlight
Cheer + Dance
Let me just start by saying these are BOTH also sports...but they deserve their own section! I was a dancer myself, and it is so fun to capture these photos. Bring along your uniform + poms, or your leo and pointe shoes...we will get some STUNNING action shots for you, as well as the traditional posed images!
Hobbies + Artists
As a photographer and artist myself, I love finding creative ways to highlight your talent! If you paint, write, read or are a photographer yourself...let's show that off! We can find some really fun ways to highlight this, and I would love to have you bring along any pieces you are proud of to incorporate in your images!
Favorite Things
Incorporating your favorite things into your pictures can be really creative...and also really funny! Are you someone who can't live without your daily Starbucks Pink Drink? Have a Chick-Fil-A obsession? In love with your car or have a shopping addiction? Let's brainstorm together to find some fun ways to highlight these things.
cap & Gown photos
If you already have your cap and gown before your shoot (or want to order a cheap one on Amazon) - we can get cap & gown images at your session! We do offer grad mini's towards the end of your senior year in the spring as well, so that's something to keep in mind. I don't have an indoor space but we can easily rent something locally, I typically am not able to provide the "official" yearbook image that your school may need...but we can get some more candid lifestyle images of you looking like a GRAD!!!
Pick the right dress underneath!
Because the gowns typically look a little like a potato sack (let's be honest), I typically photograph my seniors with them un-zipped to be a bit more flattering! I recommend wearing a sundress underneath - something white or neutral looks really traditional and timeless underneath the gowns. I also recommend a neutral pair of heels! We will get images with it both zipped and un-zipped, as well as with the cap and without - just so you have tons of options!
Bring your tassel + decorate your cap!
Don't forget to bring the tassel for the top of your cap (most highlight your graduating school year!) as well as any additional cords, awards or elements that you want to highlight! If you choose to decorate your cap, doing it before your shoot allows us to get the cutest detail photos of it!
Bring along your college gear!
Already know where you plan to head to school next year? AMAZING! The biggest congratulations to you!! If you want to celebrate by capturing some images rocking your college gear, let's do it! I typically tell my seniors to bring this as an "additional" outfit - so it doesn't count as one of your 3-5 outfits. We'll throw it on for a quick 5 mins and give you the perfect photo to announce your plans for next year! We love shooting these as a mini and combining cap and gown with your college gear in the spring! (It takes the stress off remembering it all the day of your regular sesh).
I've got you covered!
Now, for the slightly less fun part...let's address a few quick things that could go wrong at your session. These are some frequently asked questions that I get about common problems that can pop up, and I want you to feel as prepared as possible! I've been doing this for almost a decade, so I've seen it all! And, I'm confident that we will get you amazing images no matter what gets thrown our way!
frequently asked questions:
Here are some questions that I get often, and what to do if anything goes wrong leading up to your shoot date!
This is by far the most asked question I get about things that could go wrong, which makes total sense...because bad weather happens all the time! Nebraska weather can change as quickly as a toddlers attitude. So, weather reschedules can happen.
We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let us know what works best for your family, but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 6+ hours in advance. My goal is to give you enough heads up if you have to do hair and make-up we catch things before you get started.
If there is a 50% chance of rain or LESS: I recommend we keep your date and make the call the day of. My schedule can get really tight in the summer through fall so we push as much as possible with scheduled dates. If we shoot and it DOES rain...we will have to finish the session despite the weather (we can't do two shoots if you decide to move forward but the weather doesn't cooperate). However, if you have your heart set on glowing light and bright images...I'd recommend rescheduling to be safe, and we'll make that call beforehand together.
If there is a 50% chance of rain or MORE: My recommendation in these scenarios is to reschedule. Even if it doesn't end up raining...it's always better to be safe than sorry, especially if you are really excited about bright, sunset light in your photos!
Wind: There has been a handful of times I've had to reschedule a session for bad wind. If there are crazy gusts and you would prefer to move to a day when we know your hair won't have flyaways, we can make that happen!
Cloudy: I have a lot of seniors who get worried about cloudy days because they think their images won't be as bright and beautiful...but rest assured, that's not true!! Cloudy days are actually AMAZING for photographers...because it means there are no harsh shadows!! Unless it is a seriously grey day with heavy fog or severe storm clouds...cloudy days are our friend!! AND they aren't as hot!! We'll make this call again together, lofty pretty clouds are besties, stormy clouds are dull. It's a catch 22 so it varies in each situation.
That is COMPLETELY okay! We will make the final call 6+ hours before your session. If we need to make that call for reasons outside of our control (i.e. sickness, weather, emergencies), we'll get the calendar link sent your way and get you scheduled for the next available upcoming date. Typically, you won't have to wait longer than a week if we have to move your date but realize that our schedule can get filled quickly so please keep that in mind when thinking about reschedules!*
*This does NOT include needing to reschedule because of poor planning, running late or any other reason.
My skin is breaking out like crazy...HELP!
Girl, we've ALL been there! Don't worry one bit. I can easily remove any large blemishes in Photoshop, you won't even know it happened! Promise! ;) These are typically done on a few sample images and then once we sit down to view/order from your gallery I'll go in and touch up all the final images you've choosen.
Where am I going to change my clothes?
I mentioned this briefly earlier in the guide...but it's a question I get a lot! Typically, my seniors choose to change their outfits in the car. A lot of the time, we are photographing at locations that do not offer public bathrooms, so it's the quickest option! I recommend trying to organize your outfits + accesories ahead of time to make this process super quick and easy. If you would feel more comfortable changing in a bathroom, just let me know ahead of time - I'm happy to select your locations based around which ones have public bathrooms!
after your session
Now that we have finished your session, it's time to schedule your ordering appointment! This is where we will review all of your images (YAY!) and decide which prints and products you would like to order. These next few pages of the guide will give you a peek into the product options available. At this point while you're waiting, is a great opportunity to start thinking of potentially where you want to display these images.
View Your Photos
First we'll sit down to view your images via a digital slideshow on the computer. This is my absolute favorite part of the entire process! I love seeing the emotions that these images can create, and I love watching you fall in love with your pictures!
Sort Your Proof Prints
Next thing we'll do is pull out the proof prints. We print each and every one of your edited images so you can physically hold them and sort what you love the most. This helps eliminate the ones you don't like as much and also allows you to see your images printed.
Choosing Your Products
After we've got all the best images narrowed down it's time for the fun part, it's time to choose your products! We have ample options when it comes to senior products so instead of overwhelming you, we typically like to start with asking what you want or need from your session. From there we will pull products that fit your needs best.
What to expect at your ordering appointment
Here's a step-by-step guide to how your ordering session will work:
