Senior Prep Guide
for your upcoming session
Preparation is key
When it comes to making your senior experience feel authentic and unique, how we prep together will be essential! I have spent years and years searching for special, hidden-gem locations for my clients and am so proud to offer a menu bursting with options for every personality, vibe, hobby, and instagram-inspired vision. I'm so excited to begin working through your location and styling selections! Take a look through this guide and once you have an idea of where you'd like to go, we will begin curating your vision board and session itinerary.
Let the fun begin!
It’s all about you!
When choosing locations for your senior session, there are a lot of things to consider. What are your overall image visions / goals? Do you want retro vibes with lots of color? Are you more of a neutral lover? What about nature... do you prefer your settings to be natural with minimal landscaping? Or, do you love a pretty park trail with seasonal blooms? Are your outfits classic staple pieces or are you going to be sporting the latest trends? Wild and free? Bohemian? Consider these key details when making your selections, as they will significantly impact your experience and final delivered gallery.
Location Selections
As mentioned, I work hard behind the scenes pairing each of your outfits to the perfect location! Once I see colors, textures, silhouettes, and styles within your chosen clothing, my mind immediately begins thinking of the perfect spots to take you! I strive to always make location selections unique to my client. I also take weather, seasonal blooms, and client characteristics (eyes, hair color, etc!) into consideration. Needless to say, location selections are a major component of my planning process!
Outfits:
The number of outfits allowed at your session will depend upon the package you purchased. Outfit combinations are completely up to you and need to be reflective of the style / gallery goals you have in mind! A few examples are:
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Jeans, t-shirt, flannel / sweater, etc. Sandals, sneakers, or barefoot!! An accessory hat or headband — or even throwing your hair up in a fun clip, etc.
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A sundress, jumpsuit, dressy romper, or even a statement pair of trousers with a bodysuit.
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School jersey or t-shirt — letter jacket, crewneck, etc. We can add sports memorabilia or letter jacket if desired!
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Black jeans, blouse, necklace, wedges or sandals. For boys: a blazer with jeans or chinos, or a nice button down with dressy denim.
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Do you have a favorite hat, top, dress, etc? Bring it! If there’s an item in your closet you grab every day, bring it to your session and we will capture you authentically!
Outfits are *entirely* up to you, but I do suggest modesty. We will pair locations based on the outfits you choose, so keep that in mind and don't be afraid to venture outside the lines with fun accessories such as bold shoes, hats, headbands, earrings, etc!
Parents
If you'd like to have a quick little "parents + senior" photo, I do allow this at senior sessions as I think it's so special! Just come photo-ready and we will be sure to snap a few fun images along the way! I only allow this for parents; not siblings.
Pets
If your senior wants to include a furry friend, please let me know ahead of time as not all locations are pet friendly.
School / Sports
If you want to shoot sports/hobby related images on school property, those arrangements are your responsibility. Please make all uniform, building / grounds access and additional requests prior to her session so there are no hiccups!
Add-ins:
Location Inspiration
Class of 2025
I’ve chosen the images below to help get you thinking about location options & the variety you want in your gallery! If you are a nature girl, but want a 50/50 blend of pretty grasses and urban cityscapes, we can make that happen. We will discuss each location and outfit selection thoroughly to make sure your senior picture dreams come true!
A few additional things to consider are:
-Seasonal opportunities such as Sunflower fields (typically late July - late August), Kansas State Fair (September)
-Seasonal coloring in trees/leaves, wildflower blooms, and native grasses
-Private property! Do you have access to private land or have a spot that's special to you? Let’s go!
All about you!
questions & details for your session:
Session Tips
Try on session:
I encourage ALL seniors to do a complete try-on session with their outfits 5-7 days prior to their session. This is to be sure everything fits comfortably and appropriately, and also to ensure you have the proper undergarments for each outfit.
Hair / Makeup / Nail appointments:
If you are scheduling hair or makeup appointments, I encourage you to give yourself at least 2 hours between the time your appointment is over and the start of your session. Sometimes, these appointments can run behind and I don't want you stressed! I encourage my seniors to get their nails done a few days in advance to eliminate being overly busy on the day of your session.
Things to bring to your session:
I ask for my seniors to bring lip gloss or lip color to their session to reapply between locations. If you are going for a more natural look, even a faint tint can add great dimension to your portraits. Also, bring a brush and hair texture spray / hairspray. If it is windy, we will want to comb through curls and re-spray them to keep them lively. If it is extremely hot or humid, we will want to utilize texture spray to keep everything looking fresh! A quick touch up goes a long way in between outfits.
Additional suggestions:
If you are going to be transitioning jewelry, please be sure it is transported in a way where necklaces won't tangle and is easily accessible. I encourage putting each necklace on a hanger or in a bag and hanging with the accompanying outfit. Also, bring water or something to keep you hydrated!
It’s your senior year, and I am here for it!
I am so excited to work with you and plan your upcoming Senior session!! I hope this guide has you feeling excited, inspired, and confident that your images will truly stand out and capture the heart and soul of who you are. After all, that is my entire senior mission! If you have any questions or need to reach me, please do not hesitate! Send me a quick message and I'll respond as soon as possible. Once I go through your responses, I will be in touch to coordinate your next steps.
Can’t wait!!
— Katie
