What to Bring For Senior Pictures | Checklist + Tips From a Senior Photographer
So you’ve booked your senior photo session and now it’s finally time to prepare. My clients often ask themselves, “What should I pack? Where do I start? Am I forgetting something important?!”
Maybe your mind is just plain blank when it comes to what to bring for senior pictures; or, maybe you’re confident about your outfit choices, but you’re wondering if bringing certain little items would make a big difference at the session. Wherever you’re at — don’t worry, I am here to help!
As a JenRenPro senior, you’ll receive a full session prep email, final session prep guide, AND a printable one-page checklist with all the important details and reminders. This includes where to park, what to bring, what to expect, and that it’s totally normal to feel a little nervous!
There are a few things that every senior should keep in mind when it comes to what to bring for senior pictures, so let’s dive in.
1. Steamed & hung outfits
Details, details! Small details like having manicured nails and the right jewelry reduce pre-session stress, so consider setting out all of your outfits & accessories the night before. Don't forget to try everything on before your session, and be extra careful to avoid makeup and deodorant marks.
Pro tip: many of my clients place jewelry in a plastic baggy and attach it to the hanger of its designated outfit. Bonus points if you iron all of your outfits and hang them up in the car the night before!
2. Touch-up kit
Our professional hair and makeup artist will leave you with a to-go kit complete with your perfect lip color sample and a few extra touch-up items. It also doesn't hurt to bring your own oil-blotting pads, hair flyaway gel, and your favorite clear or neutral gloss or lip oil for a little extra hydration help. (Check out my Amazon storefront for some of these items!)
Myth-busting moment: despite popular belief, when it comes to hairspray, keep in mind that while on set, less is often more! This might change depending on the hairstyle, but when it comes to hair flyaways that pop up on the top of your head, the goal is to weigh them down slightly with oil or gel, NOT to make them sticky or add more volume. Reserve hairspray usage for the middle and ends of your hair. Better yet, simply trust the professionals with your hair on your big day!
3. Cap & gown
While some seniors shy away from the idea of wearing your graduation cap and gown during an outdoor senior session, these images are often amongst many clients' all-time favorites. Of course, most clients won't have their hands on their school's designated cap and gown before graduation week, but there are alternatives, like asking someone who has already graduated if you can borrow theirs (even an older sibling who has graduated ahead of you), ordering one from Amazon, or even reaching out to your school and asking if you can borrow one for your photoshoot. I personally keep a few colors handy just in case a client forgets theirs, but be sure to check in with your photographer beforehand.
Be sure to bring your tassel as well, with the charm of your graduating class' year. They're on Amazon, too!
4. Your furry friend (if you have one!)
One great way to make your session unique to you is by bringing an animal or pet who is near and dear to your heart. Of course, it's important to consider the logistics, like bringing a leash, water, snacks, location approval of pets and proper support/an extra set of hands to care for the animal while it's not in front of the camera. With horses, be sure to choose a safe and familiar location, and again, having an extra set of hands is always important to get their attention. (I never knew that a horse's ears were supposed to face forward in images until I started working with horses during senior sessions a few years ago. Depending on the horse, environment and location, it can sometimes take a village to get "the shot") If you're game for a little extra logistics planning, these furry friend shots are truly something special.
5. Up-for-anything attitude
For best results, choose the best fit photographer for YOU and then trust their vision! Before deciding who to hire, make sure you check out their work to confirm whether or not it aligns with your vision for your senior experience. Then, if their booking process includes a call (and, it should!), be sure to communicate any nerves, requests, or certain questions that are lingering in your mind about how it all works. Doing this on the front end of the booking process means that on the day of the session, you can show up rested, with a great attitude, ready to trust your chosen photographer's creative process. "Trust the process" is a real thing, but just make sure you're doing it with the right photographer for you!
Now that you have an idea of what to bring for senior pictures, you may be thinking, wow, how the heck should I store everything for the big day in the car? All of my outfits, shoes and props? Most of my clients clear out the back of their car (trunk or hatchback portion) and hang their steamed outfits, jewelry bags, shoes lined up, and props in a crate or tote bag. That way, we can just pop open the back and see what we have in one glance, rather than having everything folded in a duffle bag or stacked in the middle seat.
One of my biggest pieces of advice is to try on everything beforehand. Everything! The senior session shouldn’t be the first time you realize that a dress is somewhat transparent or that the undergarments you chose show through. A dress rehearsal (make-up free, ideally, to avoid makeup marks/stains) is essential.
There are a few things that I bring to the session that my seniors don’t have to worry about. Things like a changing tent (I’ll stand guard!), certain cap and gown colors, and a portable speaker ready to play my client’s favorite songs. Most importantly, I bring complete posing guidance. One thing I always tell my clients before our sessions together is this: "My job is to direct you in a way that helps you relax, feel natural, and be your true self in front of my lens. You do not need to practice poses or study Pinterest pins. By the end of the session, you will wonder why you even felt nervous to begin with (dare I say you might even have fun?!) The bottom line is this: I've got you covered, and know that the end result will be something you love. Don't stress!"
