CLASS OF 2021: DESIGNING & PREPARING FOR YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION.

CLASS OF 2021! Congratulations. It’s finally your year!

Earlier we shared a blog about the high school senior experience and how senior portraits aren’t just photos (if you missed it, catch up by clicking HERE!) Your senior year is an important milestone that should be celebrated and remembered for years to come! These portraits should be unique to YOU and designed to reflect who you are and what you’re passionate about. In this series, we are sharing a little more about the “JJSHOTME Senior Experience” process and how we work to design the perfect senior portrait session. Read along and enjoy!

What to Expect

Because it is important that we get to know you and understand how to best serve you, we start by planning your session with an in person consultation. This is the time when we brainstorm ideas about your favorite location, what you will wear, what type of shots you like and if you have any special requests. We will also discuss what types of art prints and products are available and help you choose the best collection for your family and for your home.

2. What to Wear

Ladies.

Wear what makes YOU feel beautiful. You may dress up or even dress casual or both; there is no “right” or “wrong” way. The best way is what fits with your personality. Feel free to bring multiple outfits or looks and we will shoot whatever we have time for. At our studio, we provide a clothing rack for you to hang your clothes on, so don’t feel like you’re bringing too much! Options are a good thing. For off site locations, we will provide a pop up changing station for your comfort and privacy. Choose colors that enhance your skin tone, hair, and eye color. Please avoid tops that do not cover straps, or be sure to bring the right bra. Also please avoid wrinkles unless they are part of the design. Wear natural makeup and bring it with you, in case you might need to touch it up.

Gentlemen.

Wear what you feel comfortable and great in! The best place to start is a casual look. Jeans or khakis with simple t-shirts or button ups are always successful. If you like to dress up, add a tie, a coat, or bring the whole suit! Please make sure the shirts you wear are ironed and have no wrinkles or creases. If you bring something new, please take it out of the packaging before you arrive to your session. Bright, bold colors or plaids are great! Please try to avoid branding or words on your t-shirts unless it is part of your design goal. The “end-game” is to capture your best looks and your personality AND to make it fun!

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3. Day of Your Session

Great portraits take good energy and we want you to be feeling your best! Please get lots of sleep and eat well before coming to your session. Be prepared by leaving lots of extra time for the day. Even though we only shoot for up to 2 hours, there is always time needed to find parking, meet up, and talk through our plan and shots for your session. It’s a great idea to bring any makeup or hair tools along with you that you might need. We will provide a mirror, a changing station for privacy, and water bottles to keep you hydrated. We suggest starting in one of your second favorite outfits. This gives you a chance to warm up and get used to the camera and rhythm of posing before shooting your favorite outfit. We will guide you through posing so don’t be nervous! Your main job for the day is to have FUN!

4. After Your Session

About two weeks after your portrait session, we will have you come to our home studio for your ordering session. (We will have scheduled ordering appointments at the same time as your shoot). At your ordering session, we will reveal and help you select your images. We'll discuss which images work best and design a draft of your album and art pieces. Orders must be placed at this time, so you will want to have reviewed our collections and pricing prior to this meeting. It is also important to bring anyone to this meeting that might be part of the decision making process. After your ordering appointment, retouching, designing albums and making prints can take anywhere between 2-4 weeks to arrive depending on the different products ordered. When your fine art prints, albums and/or folios arrive at our studio, we will do our quality inspection, wrap everything up and contact you to schedule an appointment for delivery.

Stay tuned for more details on how to have the best success with your senior portraits! Also, click the button below if you want to chat about portraits or have any questions!

PLAN YOUR SENIOR EXPERIENCE