Letโs be real โ youโre investing time, energy, and excitement into your senior session, but how do you prepare for your senior portraits?? Iโve been photographing high school seniors for nearly a decade, so I’ve taken that knowledge along with some amazing tips from my hair and makeup artists, to bring you the ultimate prep guide with tips straight from the pros.
Hereโs everything you need to know to about how to prepare for senior portraits:
โจ Skin Prep: That Natural Glow Starts Early
Skincare is key โ and the week before your session is the most important. For glowing, camera-ready skin, make sure youโre:
- Cleansing
- Exfoliating
- Toning
- Moisturizing
Start this routine 7โ10 days before your session and especially the morning of, right before you head to the salon. It helps your makeup go on smoother and keeps your skin fresh and dewy all day long.
๐ Lips: For Soft, Smooth Close-Ups
Dry lips in close-up shots? No thanks. Hereโs a super simple fix:
Each night the week leading up to your shoot, skip the lip balm. Instead, grab a soft toothbrush, dip it in coconut oil, and gently scrub your lips to exfoliate and hydrate.
Trust me, your close-up smile will thank you.
๐โโ๏ธ Hair: Donโt Overdo It
On the night before your session, all you need to do is wash and blow dry your hair. Thatโs it!
No product. No flat irons. No curling wands.
The HAMU team will take care of the rest and humidity proof your hair so it holds beautifully throughout your shoot.
๐ Start Pinning!
Before your session, create a Pinterest board of hair and makeup looks you love. Share it with your stylist so weโre all on the same page about your vision and vibe. Visual inspo makes communication a breeze and helps your dream look come to life.
๐ซ Things to Avoid Before Your Shoot:
- Skip the sunburn & tan lines. Overexposure = red skin, tan lines, and sunglasses marks (aka not the look weโre going for).
- Wax your brows early. Give it a couple of weeks so any redness or irritation disappears. Want natural brows? Tell your esthetician!
- Rethink major hair changes. That impulse to go platinum or chop 10 inches? If you’re unsure about how youโll feel looking back at your photos, wait until after your session.
Bottom line: Your senior portraits are all about celebrating YOU. These small prep steps make a big difference in how you feel โ and how confident you look โ in every single shot.
Ready to talk more about your senior portraits? I’m all about making the process as easy and stress-free as possible. My goal is for you to feel fully prepped, totally confident, and excited every step of the way- see more about my unique process.
Want more in depth tips like which questions to ask when choosing a senior photographer? Grab our free guide here: 5 Senior Session Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
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