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I think we all know that time flies, and before you know it senior year is here! The sooner you can get your session on the calendar, the better off you’ll be – that’s why I came up with this handy senior session timeline to help you get planning.
Like all things worthwhile, the more organized you are and the more you plan ahead, the smoother the actual session will go. I like to provide a guided timeline so that you can work backward from any deadlines you might have: yearbook photos, senior ads, graduation announcements, etc.
In fact, I often recommend to teens that want a session in the springtime, it’s best to schedule in the spring of your JUNIOR year (I promise, spring of your senior year will get nuts in a hurry).
I know it may sound a little crazy (I am Type-A, after all), but I recommend thinking about a session at least two months beforehand. Here’s a little outline of what you can expect when prepping for your senior session.
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Senior Session Timeline: 2-3 Months Before
Book your session! It’s critical to get the important things onto the calendar first before your time gets filled up. For my studio, booking a session simply means having a quick, free phone consultation where we will go over the following info:
- Session Types & General Info
- Investment Guide
- Contract
- Invoice
Once you’re booked onto the calendar by paying the session fee, that’s when all the fun planning can begin! I will send you a Senior Questionnaire to find out more about you, what your likes and dislikes are, what you have in mind for your session, etc. I also provide a detailed What-to-Wear Guide so that you can get started on pulling together wardrobe items.
We create a mood board based on your responses so that we can nail down locations and the overall style and flow of the session.
1 Month Before: Start Shopping & Planning Outfits
Start shopping! By this time, stores and boutiques should be stocked with the most current season’s items. You can absolutely pull things from your existing wardrobe, but if you are planning to order anything online you want to make sure that you have time for it to ship, try it on, and make adjustments, if necessary.
1-2 Weeks Before: Haircut & Color
If you are planning to have you hair colored or cut, it’s important to get this done well in advance of the session. It’s best to have a fresh style (especially for guys!), but if something goes amiss then you still have time to make a fix.
Also, any hair removal, such as waxing, should be done a week before the session. This allows the skin to calm down before getting in front of the camera.
Now is the time to gather any equipment you may need: sometimes you’ll need to check with a teacher or coach to bring home a musical instrument or any athletic equipment you’d like to incorporate into your session.
2 Days Before: Take Care of Your Nails
This is the time to get your fingers and toes all prepped and polished. A professional mani/pedi is nice, though not necessary. However, it is important that your hands are free of chipped polish, your nails are filed and clean, and your cuticles moisturized. If you’re wearing sandals, don’t forget your feet!
The Day Before: Get Organized!
Lay out all of your outfits, complete with accessories and shoes, to ensure that you have everything you need and aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Consider the proper undergarments you might need (like a strapless bra or nude underwear) for the clothing you have selected. Check to see if anything needs to be steamed or ironed.
All shaving should be done today. Guys, facial hair should be neatly trimmed or clean-shaven.
Stay hydrated and get a good night’s sleep!
Session Day: It’s The BIG Day!
Today is the biggest day on the senior session timeline!! If you have opted for professional hair and makeup, make sure you’ve mapped out where you’re going and arrive in plenty of time so that we can do a brief rundown of the itinerary and get your favorite tunes dialed in. Even if you are not choosing professional hair & makeup, ensure that your skin and lips are moisturized (yes, even guys need ChapStick).
Pack up all of your outfits, shoes and accessories and meet at the designated meeting point, which we will have discussed during our final pre-session consultation.
Make sure to eat (hungry subjects aren’t happy subjects) and drink lots of water. Depending on the type of session that you choose, we could be shooting together for a few hours through many outfit changes.
Don’t stress! If the weather is rainy, we will reschedule. If you have a bump or bruise or blemish, it’s an easy retouching fix. Today is the day to sit back, get pampered and HAVE FUN!!
Parents are a huge part of my senior sessions, and it’s such a fun experience to share with them. I always welcome and invite parents to come along (you may even be tasked with holding a reflector). Parents should plan to wear comfortable shoes as we will likely be doing a lot of walking 😉
1 Week After: View & Order
It’s viewing day!! About a week after your session I’ll come to your home for your Portrait Viewing & Ordering Appointment where I’ll share with you all the amazing photographs we captured together. I’ll also bring samples of all the print products I offer so that you can see and feel the quality craftsmanship of the items you can create.
It’s imperative that ALL decision-makers are in attendance so that you can enjoy the show together. If you have Apple TV or an HDMI port handy on your TV, I can mirror my laptop screen so that we can view your portraits beautifully large.
You’ll select the ones you absolutely love, the products you have to have, and then I’ll get busy creating your finished pieces of art.
1-2 Months After: Delivery
Depending on which products you have selected, turnaround time can range from one to eight weeks. Once everything arrives in my studio I will package it up and deliver it to you with care so that you can share and enjoy the portraits from your senior session for many years to come.
I’ll also be blogging and posting on social media – make sure to share your details with me so that I can tag you!
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Hopefully this senior session timeline has helped you think about when you need to start planning your own session. I’d love to help you capture your senior year in a fun and fabulous way – reach out to me for a free phone consultation and I can fill you in on all the details!