{CLOTHING}

A little planning is all it takes to make sure you look fabulous in photos that will act as lasting memories of your high school years. Fashion trends come and go, but here are some tips to help you rock your session!

    • Dark denim flatters all shapes, sizes and photographs better than distressed or light washes.
    • Statement jewelry speaks volumes about personality. Go all out with a colorful necklace, chandelier earrings or stacked bangle bracelets. Worn with a simple tee or solid tank, the jewelry takes center stage.
    • Create complete, multi-piece looks for your senior pictures. Consider purchasing a cropped blazer to throw over pieces you already own and cuff the sleeves for a fresh, professional look that will keep its modern edge years after photos are taken.
    • It’s always better to pack too many options than too few.
    • Bring an elastic brown or black belt to cinch dresses and blouses that may look bulky on camera.
    • Make sure undergarments are neutral in color! You don’t want to have a neon bra with a white shirt.
    • Wear a white or neutral cami under your top for easy clothing changes.
    • Bring your outfits with you ironed and on a hanger. Freshly pressed outfits will look so much nicer in your photos than those thrown in a bag. Although most people think photoshop can fix anything, it can be very time consuming and I use it to enhance images, not to fix them.
    • Make sure clothing is free of tears, stains and missing buttons.
    • Avoid small pinstripes, neon colors and logos.
    • Think about your setting. If you are in an area with lots of trees and grasses, don’t wear green. Choose a color that will compliment such as navy, cranberry, orange, cream or brown. Going to the beach, jewel toned colors are a great choice.

For ideas and color combinations, please check out my Style Guide here: SENIOR GIRL STYLE GUIDE

{HAIR}

Some girls like to have their hair professionally styled on the day of their session and some like to do it themselves. You may be an expert at styling your own hair, but for your senior portraits it’s always a good idea to enlist a professional hair stylist’s help to give you advice. Make an appointment with your stylist two to three weeks before your session for a consultation about different styles you might want to create. Talk with her/him about what you are thinking of wearing, and take in some magazine pictures of hair styles that you like and ask if they might look flattering on you. Get your hair color touched up and a tiny trim if needed. Going in for a consultation plenty of time before your session gives you time to practice at home (if you are doing it on your own) or to make an appointment (for it to be styled professionally on the day of your session).

Your goal is to be naturally lovely on the day of your session, so elaborate or fancy hair styles (nix the plans for the prom do, please) are not recommended. Just think fresh, natural, fun and finished (meaning well thought out, just like your clothing choices). However you style your hair, make sure you are comfortable and confident with the look. Remember, too, that if you are planning on changing your hair look during the session, bring the necessary tools (clips, combs, spray, a mirror) to do so and always throw in your brush and some spray!

{MAKEUP}

Exquisitely applied makeup: flawless complexion, gorgeous eyes, perfectly pouted lips. This is the stuff of magazines, yes? No! This is the stuff of your senior portraits! The best, easiest way to ensure this look of perfection is to schedule an appointment with a professional makeup artist who has been trained to bring out your natural beauty. By having your makeup and hair done on the day of the session, you’ll have less to worry about and guaranteed professional results. Another alternative is to visit a makeup counter at your local mall to have your makeup applied, although this will require a bit more running around on the day of the session and will leave more of the final outcome to chance as well. Finally, you can also apply your own makeup if you choose, an option that can be especially fun if you have an interest in makeup and fashion. Whatever you decide to do, whether going the DIY route or the professional one, you will want a dewy, fresh look that looks hip yet classic.

Here are some basic tips if you choose to do it yourself:

Start with a light foundation, tinted moisturizer or mineral makeup that matches your skin tone perfectly. Apply cover-up to any blemishes, blend well, and finish with a light dusting of facial powder. Use a neutral, natural-colored blush–you’re going for a slightly flushed look here. Covering up blemishes helps your photographer when he or she is editing your images. If you are self-conscious at all about your complexion, don’t be afraid to mention it to me so I can provide a level of Photoshop “cover-up” that you are comfortable with. Please do not spray tan or get too much sun before your session! Retouching orange or sunburned skin is very time consuming and will not appear natural.

For your eyes, it is important to think about what you will be wearing and pick colors that compliment your skin tone and eye color. Think natural and neutral with a finished look. Choose one to three colors (light, medium, and dark) of eye shadow. Apply the lightest color to the entire area of your eyelid, the darker color to the crease of your eyelid, and if you want, the medium color in between the crease and your top lashes. You then want to blend very well. If you would like, use a cream or penciled eyeliner (a darker neutral color is best–browns and grays) on the top lid, applying from the outside of your lashes to just where your lashes end, closer to your nose. Line the bottom lid if you prefer, but do so very lightly and blend well. If you need to, use your eyelash curler and add some dark brown or black mascara to finish off. Applying only on the top lashes and right at the bottom of the corner lashes will always result in the most natural look. Don’t neglect to brush out your lashes to avoid a clumpy mess. Finally, where eye makeup is concerned you’ll always want to forego the following: sparkly eye shadow, heavy black eyeliner on the inside or bottom of your eyes, and goopy mascara. These do not match the glowing, fresh-faced look that will bring out your natural beauty!

Finish up your makeup application by applying a tinted lip gloss or lightly glossy natural-colored lipstick to your lips. If you want to line your lips, make sure that you choose a liner that matches your lip color exactly and line the inside only. Follow up with a clear gloss; a bit of shine to your lips is fine, but just like the eyes, skip the sparkly lipstick or gloss.

Well groomed hands and feet are important. Avoid bold or wild patterns on your nails and keep the colors in a neutral palette to coordinate with all your wardrobe changes.

{DON’T FORGET}

  • Neatly pressed clothes on hangers.
  • White or neutral cami under your tops for easy clothing changes.
  • The more variety in clothing, the more poses we can do! Tight fitting jeans are harder to move in. Shorts and short dresses are harder to do sitting or laying down poses.
  • Neutral colored bra and underwear.
  • Mirror, brush, hairspray, and hair accessories if you’d like to change your style.
  • Pressed powder or blotting pads for the humid weather.
  • Do not tan or spray tan prior to your session.
  • Jewelry, accessories and several outfits to choose from.
  • A water and lipgloss to keep your smile at its best and while you’re at it, don’t forget to brush those pearly whites right before your session.

As always, if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. ~Tara

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