Grace | Senior Portraits | Downtown Indy
Senior portrait sessions are one of my absolute favorite kind of sessions. I love working one on one with graduating seniors to achieve their vision. When Grace came to me, it was for my creativity and editing style. She didn’t want the typical ‘girl-in-flower-field’ photos, but something a little edgier. She also didn’t want a trendy ‘light and airy’ photographer, or the orange skin tones her friends were receiving back from their photographers. While trendy edits can be beautiful, there is something timeless about capturing true-to-life, rich colors.
Coming from a fashion photography background, I know how important styling is to the outcome of a portrait session. Before our shoot, I sent Grace a comprehensive preparation guide filled with tips on how to make the most of her senior session. I’ll put some of those tips down below!
The day of the shoot, Grace and I roamed around downtown Indianapolis, first stopping at the Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District, and then moving to a nearby parking garage. One thing I always joke about is that I make my subjects WORK for the perfect shot! You best believe we are going to utilize every inch of a location! I don’t believe in standing in one spot and getting the same pose from the same angle over and over again. Who wants that?? Your gallery will always be full of diversity and artful moments. Grace ended up booking my largest package - view her photos to see what a full gallery looks like!
Check out my shoot with Grace below, and stay tuned for some wardrobe tips after. Hint: You can tap on the photos to view them larger!
Contact me to book your senior session today!
Styling Tips
Things to avoid: Text/writing on shirt, large/visible logos, complex patterns (generally no patterns would be best)
Colors that work: Neutrals! Neutrals look good on everybody and photograph extremely well. Examples: Cream/white, black, greys, browns, burnt sienna/rust, olive green. You can pair these neutrals with pops of color, whether it be colorful pants/skirt or some statement jewelry. Just remember, you want the focus to be on YOU. Other shades that work: jewel tones and deep colors.
Colors to avoid: Neon colors (bright pink, green, yellow, etc.), salmon colors or colors that clash with your skin tone - lots of pink shades will photograph poorly next to certain skin tones.
Texture photographs extremely well and adds interest. Examples: Ruffles, fur, layered clothing, knitted fabric, pleats, etc.... If all elements of your outfit are plain, tight, and smooth, it can look one-dimensional!
Things to Keep in Mind:
If it's wrinkled, steam or iron it before your session. It WILL distract from your pictures!
If you're wearing dark clothing, especially black, make sure you remove all lint or fuzz from your clothing with a lint roller before your session.
At the end of the day, you know what you feel comfortable in and look best in. Now is not the time to experiment with a new style, unless you're confident you can rock it! The guidelines above are just that - guidelines. Stay true to who you are, because these pictures are a reflection of who you are and your personality.
Accessories matter! Ask yourself: would a belt, bracelet, necklace, etc. elevate my look? Or does it distract from the main character: YOU
You may want to get your hair and makeup professionally done. I can refer you to several makeup artists in Indy.
Chances are, it's going to be windy. Bringing a hair brush, hairspray, and something to tame those flyaways, is going to be important to maintaining your look throughout the shoot. If you wear makeup, I also recommend bringing some products along with you for touch-ups (ex: blotting paper)
Are there any props you want to incorporate in your shoot? These don't have to be your typical props, like a football -- they can be elements that add interest and speak to your personality. Examples: flowers, books, skateboard, purse, hat, camera -- even a pet! What's an item that people associate with you? It can even be your favorite Starbucks drink, or favorite pastry!
This last one may seem silly - but you wouldn't believe how many times I've had to edit teeth! Flossing is one of the most overlooked but important steps to prepping for a shoot, especially if you've eaten right before. Trust me, it will show up on camera!
Booking: Visit my contact page to begin the booking process.