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Your senior portrait session is important! These images will be seen by so many people for years to come. It sits in the yearbook and serves as a memory of who you are in this moment. You and your parents will bring these pictures up for many reasons down the road! Like showing them to your future kids or reminiscing on the high school years with your friends. This is why we want to make sure this experience is as fun and worry free for you as possible. Here’s a checklist of all the things you will want to make sure you complete prior to your shoot and also what you will want to remember to bring with you the day of.
Tips and Tricks for The Best Senior Pictures
One Month Before Your Shoot
One to Two Weeks Before Your Shoot
A Couple Days Beforehand
The Day Of!
How To Get The Best Senior Pictures!
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When I first talked with Ava, her love for sunflowers came out. It was clear that we needed to find a location with sunflowers! Luckily, I am friends with the owner of Sol y Sombra Flower Farm in Longmont and she allowed us to photoshoot at her farm. Originally Ava's shoot was scheduled early in the summer, but we quickly found out that sunflowers really start to bloom in August, so we moved back her shoot to catch the beautiful flowers! The day of Ava's shoot was probably one of the smokiest days last summer due to the wild fires, but it didn't affect the outcome of the photos. I mean Ava is just gorgeous! Looking back at her pictures, you would never guess how hot and smokey that day was. Ava is a true queen! Ava- thank you for choosing me to take your senior pictures. Your style was spot on and I truly enjoyed getting to know you. You have an amazing smile and I know you will make a difference in this world! Congrats Class of 2021 Graduate!
Colorado is such a beautiful, diverse state (might be biased as I’m a native ;)). It has big cities, little towns, mountains, rivers/lakes, forests, plains, and deserts. This gives you so many different options for a backdrop for your senior pictures. In some cases you could even have a combination of backdrops! You might not know where you want to have your pictures taken (that’s Sarah Lindsay Photography’s job to show you exact locations), but it’s helpful to know what type of background you are looking for. Here’s 3 things to ponder when thinking about the location you want.
Senior Picture Locations in Colorado
What outfits are you wearing for your photos?
If you had to describe your style, what would you say? Do you like vintage? Classic? Chic? Casual? Fancy? A combination of a few? If you aren’t sure what your style is, here’s a link that explains the 10 styles of 2020-2021. Knowing your style and the clothes you want to wear is helpful to picking a location. There are some outfits that just fit better in a natural location whereas some that fit more in an urban setting. You want the vibe of your outfits to match the location.
Think about this. Does country style with a cowboy hat, boots, and a big belt feel more rural or urban? You might feel out of place in an urban location with this outfit choice! You might think more of a natural, dirt road type of location. On the other hand, a business suit to showcase your involvement in DECA might feel more in place at an urban location like in front of the big buildings. So, stick with the style you are most comfortable in and then find a backdrop that matches that feel!
What do you want your images to say about you 10 years down the road?
This goes along with the first one. In high school you might have been known for your involvement in sports, your love for animals, your professionalism, your free spirit, or your trendy style. Those ‘hats’ you wore in high school are important to who you are right now. We want to capture that person as much as possible. Your outfits, props, and location all play a role in the story your images tell about you.
If you were involved in sports a location that is meaningful to the sport can be great. Or if you want your business side to show through, a location like the courthouse or downtown Denver's busy streets can be perfect. Or if your free spirit wants to shine through, maybe a big field where you can twirl your dress or dance in the water is what you want. Thinking about the story you want your images to tell is important. The location can amplify your story telling the world more about who you are as this senior! Think about that story! 
Senior Pictures That Will Last A Lifetime
What time of year are you getting your portraits done?
Colorado’s beauty changes so much based on the season. The colors are constantly changing at any given location. Well minus the buildings if you decide to go urban. But, the natural areas vary. It’s important to consider when you are getting your pictures done. If you want a lush, green background but it’s winter, we might have to find a location that has a lot of pine trees or a mountain that is visible that has growing trees on it. If you want those natural brown tones, in the summer you might have to think about a more desert, dirt/rocky area whereas in the early spring a field with the old tall grass might be perfect!
Time of year affects the look of each location. It’s important to consider how certain areas will look in your time frame!
Book with Sarah now! We will find the perfect location for you that fits you perfectly!
This can be a tricky topic. There are a lot of different ‘rules’ about how and when to accessorize. It can vary depending on what season it is, the cut of the shirt or dress, the way you style your hair, or the location. I know, seems like a lot to consider, but a lot of it can be generalized making it not so overwhelming. Hopefully these tips will help guide you through finding the perfect accessories to wear for your shoot.
How To Accessorize for Senior Pictures
Turtleneck vs. V-neck
There are so many different, unique necklines out there now. The a-line, scooped, square, halter, straight, turtleneck. It’s hard to keep up! You probably have your favorite neckline! I know I do. I love a square neckline as it can take away some of the attention of my shoulders (an area I don’t love). Or a good turtleneck with my hair pulled up in a high ponytail- an outfit that makes me feel super confident! What’s your go to neckline?
All necklines will photograph beautifully. Though how you add accessories to each type of neckline will vary. Simple necklaces are the best choice for your images. If you decide to wear a v-neck shirt or dress, a more dangly necklace would be a good choice. You might have a meaningful necklace from a grandparent or parent that would be perfect! For a square neckline, a necklace that sits higher up on your chest, like a choker, would be a good pick. Now for earrings! A simple pair of studs would do just fine for all of your outfits. But, if you are someone that typically adds more fun earrings to outfits, let's be sure we capture that in your shoot as well. Studs are what you want to wear with a halter or turtleneck top. Too much around your face can take away from the beauty of the actual person in the image! We want you to be the center of attention of your images and your outfits to just compliment your beauty. Pick a straight, scooped, or v-neck to wear those fun earrings! 
Statement Earring Inspiration for Senior Pictures
Formal vs. Casual
Some accessories naturally take on a more formal or more casual look. Think about a pearl necklace. Much more formal, right? Then think about the bracelets you wear everyday. More casual, correct? In some cases an outfit can appear pieced together if certain pieces take on a formal feel while others more casual. We want your outfits to flow together! Therefore, it’s important to think about what feel your accessories take on. Then from there, pair them with an outfit.
If there is a piece of jewelry that you really want to wear in your shoot, find an outfit that compliments the piece. Don’t worry we will always find a way to use/wear what's important to you! As an example, I had a pearl necklace that my grandpa had given me that I really wanted to wear. I also had a locket that my grandma used to wear that I felt it was important to wear during my shoot too. The dress I chose to wear was on the more casual side, but the pearl necklace was much more formal and the locket was less so. For a lot of my session, I wore the locket as it was more appropriate for the style of the dress. However, when I put my cap and gown on, the dress became more formal. This was when I got to wear the pearls. If you aren’t sure how the piece can be worn with the 4-5 outfits you have picked, there might be simple changes we can make to ensure it happens! Just like how the simple cap and gown made the difference. 
How To Wear Your Formal Jewelry During Your Senior Pictures
All Up vs. Hair Down
Changing your hairstyle can change your whole look. Like how when you wear your hair pulled back it accentuates your neck and elongates your neck whereas if you wear your hair down it draws attention to your entire face. Both are beautiful options, and go with the one that makes you feel most confident. However, there are a couple tips for how to accessorize with certain hair styles. If you wear a scarf or a turtleneck, we recommend pulling your hair back. At least for that outfit. This will help lengthen your face, neck, and body and eliminate the boxy look that can happen when your hair is down. Big earrings can be super flattering with high necklines and pulled back hair as well!
Tips on Accessorizing For Your Senior Pictures
Winter vs. Summer
Naturally, winter gives more room for accessorizing. On a typical winter day you might be wearing a hat or a scarf. Though in the summer, you might get some strange looks if you did that. It’s easier to add more accessories for a winter shoot than for a summer shoot. Think about the large selection you have for accessorizing in the winter compared to the summer! You could wear a beanie, mittens, or a scarf in your photos and it would fit the occasion. But in the summer your selection dwindles to more jewelry or layering! Both are fun and beautiful, but a consideration nonetheless. So, if you want to accessorize more- go for a winter shoot! To read more about the benefits of a winter shoot, click here.
Inspiration For A Winter Photoshoot
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