For most parents, senior portraits are a distant memory. They have changed a lot over the last two decades, incorporating more creativity and individuality than ever before. This Parents guide to Senior pictures will help parents as they start the process.

Seniors have a lot more options available to them, ranging from traditional sessions in a studio to trendy urban shoots. This is the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their unique talents, passions, and personality, while also creating a lasting memory.

However, with all the available options, portrait sessions can quickly become overwhelming for both parents and seniors and in this busy season of life, none of us have time for that!

Here are a few quick tips to help you prepare for your child’s upcoming senior session and year!

Make a Note of the Yearbook Deadline

Knowing the yearbook deadline encourages you to schedule a senior session instead of putting it off until the last minute. Depending on your requirements, a senior photo session will start with a yearbook portrait followed by creative shots that are unique to your child. In most instances, it takes at least 2 weeks to receive the final images, so plan accordingly. While most in our area use the school photographer, your yearbook ad can have an assortment of photos.

Keep Your Senior’s Schedule in Mind

As a parent of a senior, you already know how frantic their schedules can be. Before you go ahead and schedule a session, sit down with your senior to discuss a good time. They should be just as involved in the planning as you are. Even the specific time of day matters when scheduling a senior session. Ideally, you want to take photos just after sunrise and just before sunset, as this is when the lighting’s the best. However, the right photographer can make any time of the day work. Midday should be a last resort though as the lighting is far too harsh and lets be honest, in Florida, far too hot!

Compromise with Your Child

You may have a specific idea about the photos you would like to see, but this is about your child and what makes them feel confident and comfortable. Most senior sessions allow for several outfit changes, so use this as an opportunity to find a happy balance between what you want and what your senior wants. Be patient and hear them out before you brush off their ideas. Their portraits should represent who they are and what they love.

Encourage Sharing

Prior to a senior session, get your child to open up about their passions, hopes, and dreams. This information will help guide the shoot and ensure the most authentic photos. Knowing what your senior wants these photos to represent will also guide their outfit and location choices.

Don’t forget to include your senior in the search for a photographer – a photographer’s style needs to fit in with the images you hope to create.

When should I book?

Booking early gives you time to plan, and ensures that you have time to PLAN! A senior session at KHP includes the style closet, as well as session outfit consultation and a location consultation. I find its less stressful when we have time for this, and no one feels rushed. Fall and Spring re the “senior season” here in Jacksonville and saint Augustine {again, keeps us out of the HOT summer season}. If the yearbook ad deadline is not an important noe for you, or your senior, then Fall and winter allow for a bit cooler temps and fabulous skies! But, this is also the busy season, so booking early gives you the best date selection.

What Location?

Don’t worry, this is where experience comes into our session planning! Your session includes a detailed questionnaire so I get to know your senior, and what their style is. That, and the fashion consult, means we plan based on each individual senior. We want this session to be authentic each senior, and no two places ever photograph the same! Plus, we constantly scout locations to keep each session unique!

Don’t forget to include your senior in the search for a photographer – a photographer’s style needs to fit in with the images you hope to create.