5 CONSIDERATIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SENIOR PHOTO SESSION

The time has come - in the last little bit of your Junior year it is time to think of what needs to happen to get Senior Portraits you will love. And, yes, it does take some planning!

Blond girl leaning against read barn for her senior portrait
Senior photo of blond girl leaning on red painted distressed wooden wall
Senior portrait of a blond young woman sitting in long grasses with her saddled horse in the distance behind her

If you are lucky, you live right here in Bozeman, where the options are amazing! Or you live by a river, lake, ocean, mountain range, vast open Prairie, or any number of other locations that can make your senior session a perfect reflection of you, where you’ve been and where you are going.

Yes, your planning includes the when, where, and what to wear, but there is a lot more than that to planning a super successful senior photo shoot!

Senior portrait of young woman with her horse, wearing a straw cowboy hat and smiling

So, here are five considerations you need to begin thinking about right now, so you will be prepared to make your Senior Photo dreams come true.

1. Location, Location, Location!

Where your senior photos take place is a big part of reflecting who you are, so choose something you love! And, the location will be a big part of determining the timing of your session.

Young womanstanding in a mountain setting wearing jeans, chaps and a bright blue shirt with a cowboy hat, her head down.
black and white photo of a young woman in chaps standing in front of a piece of old farm equipment

If you want a big views high in the mountains, we probably want to avoid fire season, for example.

Want a wheat field, we need to get out there at just the right time for golden wheat before it gets harvested.

Young man at sunset leaning on a fence between two fields

Want to actually get in the water - then we need to plan for when it is warm enough that you don’t freeze.

Black and white image through a large glass window of a young man in a coffee shop, with trees reflecting in the window.

Not sure what location is best? Or have an idea, but don’t know how to get access to such a location, no worries, I can help you with all of that! I’ve helped other high school seniors get into theaters, stores, coffee cafes and private property locations that fit their style perfectly, and am willing to help you!

2. What to wear for your senior portraits?

What a great question! And the answer is: Whatever you want! But plan ahead!

From jeans and a tee shirt to formal dresses, tuxedos, athletic uniforms, vintage pieces, statement pieces, you name it, and I’ve see it all!

Young man's senior portrait wearing his Drum Major uniform in grey with red trim and high hat adorned with a white ostrich feather on top
Young man with his drum major hat on
Young male drum major in grey uniform with hat and white and red baton

Like your location, you want your clothing choices to reflect your personality, style, and comfort. You may have it in your closet, or borrow it from a friend, or even rent that something super special. The point is to have something that you love!

And don’t forget the accessories - from hats to shoes, jewelry to wraps, these are the details that take something somewhat ordinary and turn it into something absolutely unforgettable and amazing!

Whatever you select, keep in mind, you want it to be clean, fit you well, and be practical for changing into on the fly. Usually I advise 3 to outfits at the most so you don’t spend all of your time changing and get more time in front of the lens.

Young woman in long blue gown with a tulle skirt and train, in a dry field with light streaming across it.
Young woman sitting in a sage and grass field wearing a blue tulle dress, with her chin on her hand and rolling hills behind her.

3. Props are welcome!

Athletic gear, suitcases, skate boards, paddle boards, cowboy hats, chairs, flowers, lollipops, books, musical instruments - all of these items have been used by seniors that I have photographed!

Young woman in yellow dress with floral accent kneeling on a paddle board in the Yellowstone River

For the girls, I will even make a floral crown if you ask. Its a fun add-on that can be done in the colors you love, and becomes a keepsake from your session.

So, don’t be shy about bringing along something that you feel will help you express your personality.

4. make your senior photos memorable!

For some, this is the hard part because it involves expressing your personality visually, which can be a challenge. For others, this feels like a “Duh, Susan Beth” moment.

Young woman walking through an autumn wood with a purple skirt and black top. The wood has flaming yellow fall color contrasted with snarled empty branches on surrounding shrubs.

But it is worth mentioning. And it might take a little bit of thought. If you are an artsy expressive student, known throughout the school for your creativity, it is a good idea not to plan your senior session around sedate clothing in a location that is run of the mill.

Young woman in black gown in front of blue and black sculpture of horses in field with mountains in the background.
Young woman in black flowing gown dancing in front of a blue and black metal sculpture of a horse on a hillside.

On the other hand, if you are a shy introvert, we want to make sure we visit locations that are free of crowds, and find locations or times when you can have the place to yourself.

Some Montana High School Seniors are blessed to have a family ranch or farm that is meaningful to them, and make a great location to reflect who they are. Others may have access to the farm, but really want a more urban look - and we can make that happen!

Young woman in black flowing skirt reaching out to touch the nose of a metal sculpture horse on a ridge with a sunset in the background.

The point is, your Senior Photo details, from location to wardrobe to props, to poses should reflect who you are!

5. Moms have input too!

A lot of moms have some ideas of what they want to see, but that is not always what the student wants to do. Does that resonate with you as either the mom or the student?

Dark haired young man holding a baskeball in his hand and leaning his forehead on the ball from a profile view.

Here’s how I like to handle that: you can both have what you want. If mom wants the button down shirt and slacks for her son, we can do some of those, and still have plenty of time for the other options on your look.

If daughter really wants the red dress, and mom really wants the floral print, we will find an opportunity to use both ideas.

Young man in dark suit on dark background twirling a basketball on his finger.
High School Senior Boy on a dark field, wearing a dark suit and holding a basketball.

These are the very things that we go over at your planning session - in person or over Zoom, we will get these things hashed out.

Young woman in a fall sweater and jeans sitting on a rock ridge with a dark forest behind her.

There is so much more to talk about with Senior Photo Sessions, but if you deal with these five issues, the other things will be easy to plan out and make work for you. And making it work for you is what this is all about! Senior Photos only happen once in a life time, lets make them amazing and something you will be proud to show your friends and grandparents - and you’ll have fun showing your children and grandchildren some day!

Want more information about Senior Sessions with Elements of Light Photography, click the Request a Consultation Button and we can talk through all the details!

Senior Portraits, Senior PhotosSusan Beth BreunerBozeman Senior Portrait, Montana Senior Photographer, Montana Senior Portraits, Bozeman Portrait Photographer, Senior Photos, Senior PortraitsComment