THE LAURA MATTHEWS
Senior GUIDE
I'm so excited to officially welcome you as a Laura Matthews senior! I've been creating portraits for 15 years, and working with seniors is my favorite! Photographing you is such a huge honor. We're going to have a blast together and create so many beautiful images!
My goal with this Senior Guide is to help you prepare for your session and get the MOST out of your experience. Your senior session is SUCH an exciting memory and a big investment financially and of your time…so it’s my job to be sure you are fully prepared! In this guide you will find suggestions for outfits, accessories, hair and makeup, ways to customize your experience, what to expect the day of your shoot, how your final gallery will look and everything in between! Please take the time to read it thoroughly to ensure you have all of the information you need to make your session the absolute best it can be!
My promise as your photographer is that I will make you look and FEEL like the best version of YOU! I want your session and your images to reflect exactly who you are, and I’m here to help ensure we make that happen. Use the content in this guide as suggestions, but feel free to reach out to me at any point in the planning process to chat about how we can make it personal to YOU and create images you will look back on and LOVE for years to come.
Can’t wait to work with you!
I'm Laura!
Now that we've gotten to know each other, let's dive into the good stuff!
I've been a professional photographer since 2009 and seniors are the heart of my portrait business. I remember my high school days as some of the best times in my life! It's one of the most EXCITING seasons...but also so overwhelming and so many big changes at once!
Now, as a mom to a high school senior, I know these moments are truly fleeting. I also understand the struggles teens face today and that's why I'm SO passionate about photographing seniors. I'm known for my easy and comfortable approach to photography. I love putting my clients at ease and this sets the stage for authentic and natural portraits...which is my signature style!
I'm endlessly thankful for my clients who choose me as their photographer and cannot wait to work with YOU!
in case we haven't met...
What to expect
Now that you are booked and things are officially official - let’s talk through the entire senior experience, step-by-step! Your senior experience starts NOW, and I want you to know what’s around every corner as you begin to prep for your session day!
01
Alongside this style guide, you are going to receive a senior questionnaire by email to complete about 3 weeks prior to your session. This questionnaire will help me to get to know you, your style and your preferences so that I can create the best possible senior experience for you! You can even share photos of your outfits with me so I can give you styling tips if needed. Please take the time to fill it out thoroughly - the more info you give me, the more I can be sure your images reflect YOU! But, finish reading this guide first…there’s helpful stuff in here!
the style guide & questionNaire
02
the week before
The week before your session, you can expect and email from me with our meeting time, location, final invoice, and last minute instructions! I photograph senior portraits at “golden hour” - typically 2-3 hours before sunset. These times of day have the most amazing, glowy light, cooler temperatures and less crowds at popular locations. Overcast days are also perfect, creating a soft blanket of beautiful light. If we have threatening weather, we will discuss as it gets closer to the date.
Pack a bag or small tote to remember session day essentials. You can also download a copy of my session checklist HERE!
03
SESSION day!
This section of the style guide could be its own book in itself! There are so many fun things to talk about for the day of your session! Let’s dive into what to expect each minute of your senior session:
The importance of being on time
First things first: being on time for your shoot is VITAL. And I don’t just say that because of my time, I say that because we are on the SUN’S time. Since we plan your session around the ideal time for lighting, being late means that you lose that time off of your session. Even being 15 minutes late means that we’ve lost 15 minutes of light. Once the sun gets too low we can’t shoot anymore! So, try to plan to be 15 minutes early for your session. That way, even if you hit traffic or a delay…it doesn’t eat into your shooting time! If you're late to your session, I can only work as long as your scheduled session time, which means I won't be able to deliver the fully gallery of portraits I promise and/or we may have to leave out an outfit or key desired images.
the first 15 minutes
When you arrive at your session location, we will quickly discuss your outfits and how the session will go! I will give you lots of direction on how I pose and I promise to put you at ease very quickly. The most important advice I give my clients is to not be afraid to be themselves. I want to capture your genuine smiles, laughter, and personality. It typically only takes just a few minutes to feel comfortable. You will see really quickly that a photography session is super easy and fun...even for the guys!
Changing Outfits on Location
I frequently get asked where my seniors will change outfits on their shoot day…and the answer is almost always in your car! Typically, the locations we shoot don’t have public bathrooms…which isn’t ideal. But, you can take a break in your car for some heat or air conditioning in between each outfit! Ladies, make sure to bring lip color for touch ups and powder if needed in the middle of your session. Stay hydrated with water and bring a snack for right after we're done.
Posing + Shooting
The BIGGEST and most important thing that I want you to know about your session day is this: I'm going to tell you what to do the ENTIRE time! You do NOT need to have any posing or modeling experience. Part of your investment in your senior portraits is my experience and ability to make you look (and feel!) your absolute best. So, there’s no reason to be nervous at all! I will guide you through every single moment and I promise the BIGGEST compliment I get from seniors is that I make it so easy!
After we discuss the process, we will start shooting right away! We typically spend 20-30 minutes photographing each outfit before changing and moving to the next spot. I try to always save your favorite outfit for last depending on our location…so keep that in mind when planning your faves!
Let's talk locations...
are they a big deal?
Aside from choosing your outfits (which we are diving into next, don’t worry!) - choosing your LOCATIONS is a big part of what will determine the overall style and aesthetic of your images. It also takes a little bit of logistical planning to map out where we will shoot, traffic, and travel time, so make sure you fill out your online questionnaire when your receive it a few weeks before your session. Overall, there are a few things to keep in mind when picking where to shoot:
It’s actually not the location that matters most…it’s the LIGHT!
YEP. This is hard to understand if you aren’t a photographer but hear me out: if you have the most beautiful garden location in mind with tons of fluffy flowers and manicured walkways…but it’s in the DIRECT sunlight all day long or the sun sets in an unfavorable direction…it’s actually not an ideal place to shoot. It would be better to have the session in a random field on the side of the highway with gorgeous back-light coming through the trees…because the LIGHT is what makes the biggest difference in the whole world! Trust me on this one!!
Try to think of an overall “feel” or “vibe” for your session…and let this guide your location choices!
While the location of your session totally matters…it may not matter quite as much as you think. The majority of the images in your final gallery will be close-up images…meaning you can’t see a whole lot of the background. What you CAN see is the colors, light and overall “feel” of the location. This should also be based on your personal style. For example, if you want an urban gallery…we probably don’t need to photograph every section of Downtown...we just need one small section of one building or cobblestone street to give your images that overall feel. If you want a rustic vibe…we don’t need to visit a farm. We can do some in grassy areas, down paths, gravel roads, or in a makeshift field with tall grasses. The point is: don’t get caught-up and stressed over one specific location. Choose a “vibe” that you want that matches your outfits…and I can help you pick spots that will make it happen!
I have one request: pretty please TRUST me on this part!
When I tell you that some of my most AMAZING images have been created in the weirdest locations…I mean it! The photo on this page was taken in a parking lot, beside a large trash receptacle. I'm not kidding!! I've asked my clients to crouch beside random bushes or tiptoe on rocks across a creek or get their feet wet in the river. They all got some of my BEST work because they TRUSTED me as their photographer. I may have an idea or location suggestion that sounds crazy…but it’s because I have 15 years of experience finding lighting and composition that will create stellar images. Even if it sounds crazy! So, my biggest request is that you trust me…I promise you’ll be glad you did!!
Now for the most FUN part and another frequently asked question: WHAT DO I WEAR!? Choosing what you will wear for your photo shoot is a huge decision that can make or break your senior portrait session! I know that sounds intense... but, if you wear something that you don’t feel confident in or that doesn’t photograph well on camera...it can greatly affect the experience and portrait outcome for you! This section will break down my best tips for what to wear and how to style your senior session outfits (plus LOTS of fun inspiration!) All of this advice goes for the guys, too!
What to Wear
1. be comfortable
The NUMBER ONE, most important thing to remember when planning your outfits: if it’s not comfortable to wear in real life, it won’t make you feel confident on camera! If you do not like fitted clothing (super tight dresses or pieces that fit awkwardly) then leave them at home! Personally, I try to steer clear of items that are fitted in the tummy area (don’t we all?) just because it makes me self- conscious and I’m constantly wondering if it looks bad. So, if there are pieces in your closet that make you feel self- conscious or uncomfortable, don’t include them in your senior portrait wardrobe! I also recommend trying to steer clear of anything that you have to constantly adjust or is at risk of being revealing. You’ll be doing lots of moving and posing, so if the outfit is super low-cut…you’re at risk of things slipping while we shoot!
2. be yourself
At risk of sounding cheesy…staying true to yourself with your style is so important. When you look back at these images in 20+ years…you’ll want them to truly reflect YOU! If you aren’t someone who ever dresses up or enjoys being fancy…don’t feel like you need to go buy a fancy dress just for photos. If you don’t enjoy being girly and wearing frilly dresses…then don't! Don’t feel pressured to buy anything new or outside of your usual style just because you are getting photos taken. This entire session is meant to be about who YOU are in this exciting season of life… so don’t change a single thing about your perfect self!
3. Be bold + use color!
Use this shoot as an opportunity to have a little bit of fun with your outfits and colors! Black and white are lovely, but can boring and blend in at some locations. If your location will be rustic or has lots of grassy areas or trees, steer clear of greens and browns. Try to choose colors that create CONTRAST against your location's backgrounds and compliment your hair and skin tone! Primary colors like royal blue and yellow photograph beautifully as well as jewel tones like emerald green, bright purples, pinks, oranges and any other colors that really POP! Muted tones are beautiful, but for portraits, deep and bright colors will make a huge difference. Sometimes, color combos that may seem odd in-person end up photographing BEAUTIFULLY on camera!
4. add layers
In the cold months (fall + winter), adding layers to your outfits always looks STUNNING in portraits! A sweater with a flannel underneath paired with a vest, statement earrings, or scarf adds so much dimension to your images and makes for super fun posing options! Even in the warmer months (spring + summer) you can add these layers + dimension by wearing a tank top with a cute sheer cardigan or by throwing a denim jacket over a dress! For guys, add interest to a flannel and jeans by adding a vest or jacket!
5. play with textures
Sometimes textures like feathers, faux furs and 3D florals can be considered too extra…but, in portraits, they are the BEST! Adding texture to your outfit can make a huge difference. I also love to photograph pieces with MOVEMENT: long, flowy dresses that move when you twirl. It adds a super fun element to your pictures! Guys, adding a chunky sweater and suede or leather boots really adds interest to a shirt and khakis combo!
6. Please Accessorize!
There is a whole section dedicated to props and accessories coming up in this guide…but it’s honestly one of the most important parts! Adding accessories like jewelry, hats, fun shoes, etc. to your outfits really makes them feel like YOU and adds a whole new layer of detail to your senior gallery. I’m a huge fan of statement earrings, a bright lip color, a super fun shoe, colorful sun or winter hats or even a ball cap…ALL of these things give us so much more variety with posing + create such beautiful pictures!
7. mix it up
When planning your outfits, make sure that you have a VARIETY of looks! I tell
all of my seniors to choose from these categories: casual, cozy, dressy, school- related, sports-related, preppy or edgy. Loved the Prom dress you wore last year? Wear it again! I always recommend choosing 2-3 of those categories and finding outfits accordingly. This provides a beautiful array of looks during your senior portrait session, so each outfit looks different and you get tons of variety!
Outfit inspo
These next few pages will act as inspiration from previous seniors who NAILED it with their outfit choices + styling for their session!
whitney
Whitney's downtown Richmond senior session was an absolute dream! We photographed at sunset at Great Shiplock Park and on top of my favorite parking deck. Whitney really nailed it with a flattering dress and a urban-casual look on the parking deck.
- 1 dress, + a jean, Vans t-shirt, and sneaker combo, sweater and boots
- Sentimental jewelry was perfect for her looks!
- Her makeup was polished and highlighted her beautiful skin tone.
- Her hair was kept naturally smooth which is her signature style.
click for full post
AYRIN
Ayrin's senior session was in the height of summer in Virginia and it was STUNNING! She did a fabulous job of using texture in a way that kept her cool + added interest to her images. She started her session with a casual style near the train trestles. The light blue dress looked perfect with her dark hair and an elegant dress in one of Richmond's most stunning parks was perfect!
- Simple black tee, jean shorts, and sneakers
- Sheer blue dress with dotted details
- Floral textured elegant dress
- Simple jewelry is her signature style
- Hair was styled in loose waves
- Polished makeup showed off her beautiful skin and she took my advice on lipgloss!
click for full post
SAMUEL
Samuel wanted three very different looks for his Senior Experience Session and especially wanted to feature his bodybuilding skills! His session took place in the canal walk area of Downtown Richmond and ended at my favorite parking deck with incredible city views.
- Dark grey suit for this sharp business degree seeker.
- A casual, neutral look adding a hat on the colorful mural backdrops
- Athletic wear and accessories for bodybuilding portraits
CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL SESSION
Things to Avoid:
There’s a few important things to AVOID that are worth having their own section of this guide! As a general rule of thumb, these are the things to stay away from…
1. Pieces that are sheer, too fitted
or potentially revealing.
We already touched on this quickly…but it’s important! You will be doing a lot of moving throughout your session, so wearing pieces that have to sit just right or that are at risk of slipping aren’t a good idea. And, if pieces are super thin or sheer, it may be see-through in your photos or easily show sweat marks in the warmer months.
2. The wrong undergarments.
This is something that may slip your mind as you are planning your outfits…but it is SO important! Be sure to bring along multiple bras if you are wearing something strapless or that requires a sticky/backless/or strapless bra. And wearing a neutral pair of undies is the best way to go to ensure it’s not showing through anything!
3. Wrinkles.
4. FULL outfit changes!
Editing out wrinkles can take hours PER PHOTO...which can result in your images taking a lot longer to get back and require additional fees for extensive edits. Make sure everything has been steamed and I highly suggest hanging each outfit separately to prevent wrinkles! We will be doing a lot of moving around, sitting, walking, etc. at your session. If the material of your outfit easily wrinkles...you may want to be careful. Pay close attention to textures and remember that not everything is as easy to edit out as you may think!
I see this m o s t l y with my guys, but it applies to the gals, too. Hear me out...I want to give you a variety of beautiful images in your gallery. Your outfits should be a complete change of clothing including your tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories. Bringing a few tops and not changing your jeans/pants is the "easy way" and limits the variety and diversity of your final images. Your thoughtfulness and attention to outfits make a huge difference in your images. Love your jeans? Choose two different washes/styles and mix up your shoes. Your favorite color is blue? Awesome! Carry it throughout your looks but create interest with different shades and add other pops of color such as a bright red cardigan or jacket in one of your looks. You'll thank me later!
Places to Shop
I mentioned it earlier on in the guide, but I'm going to say it again: buying new clothes is NOT required for your senior session! Sometimes it's actually BETTER to use clothes you already have that you know are true to YOU and your style. But if you want to use your session as an excuse to shop a bit - I'm going to share some of my favorite spots!
Totally not required...but still fun!
American Eagle
Free People
Altar'd State
Happy Haven
Mod and Soul
RICHMOND
ONLINE
DRESSING FOR THE SEASONS
Sometimes it can be easier to pick outfits for the spring/summer months than it is in the cooler fall/winter months. I also have some seniors who want to have a separate session during BOTH times of year to capture the different looks and styles that a new season brings along. So, this section of the guide is going to help you break down how to prep your outfits according to the time of year that we are capturing your portraits! Another important thing to keep in mind about the time of year is the SUNSET. In the summer months, shoots won't start until 5 or 6pm... but we will need to start much earlier (2-3pm) in the winter months to accommodate the earlier sunset.
winter
spring
summer
fall
You may automatically think winter is a bad time for pictures...but it really isn't! The crisp coolness creates stunning portraits. You can brighten up any dull background with bright colors, fun textures and lots of layers! Fun hats, scarves, gloves and even earmuffs can photograph super cute!
My second favorite time of year for portraits...when the grass begins to get green agin flowers start to bloom! Some people feel like they need to shy away from color so they don't clash with the blooming flowers...but I disagree! A bright pink against a white floral bush is a DREAM...try coordinating with the colors + add in pastels!
The only downside of summer portraits in the Virginia is the HEAT. You'll want to keep that in mind when choosing your outfits. Save the warmest outfit (i.e. layers or thick material) for the END of the shoot when it's cooler outside...and consider wearing BRIGHT pops of color to stand out against everything being in full bloom!
This is my favorite time of year to shoot! I love the cooler temps, the fall color palette, and incorporating layers into your outfits opens up a whole new set of options for posing. Boots, scarves, jackets, flannels, cozy cardigans...I'm here for ALL of it!
Hair and Makeup
THEY ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS
Professional hair and makeup artists are TRAINED to do hair and makeup so that it photographs well. While your makeup may look AMAZING in person, it can look completely different on-camera, and these professionals are trained to know the difference! They will conceal spots you don’t like, contour your face so it looks the best at every angle, use colors that compliment your skin to make it look flawless, make your eyes POP with false lashes and shadows, manicure your eyebrows to perfection and more!
I do not require my clients to invest in professional hair and makeup as I believe it's a personal choice. But there's no denying it can greatly enhance your experience! If it is in your budget, hiring a professional for your hair and makeup can make difference in the quality of your photos. You're investing a lot in your portrait experience and want to look your best. However, if you're able to create your own makeup look, which many of my seniors can, go for it (read my styling tips below!). But let's talk about how a professional artist can enhance your portrait experience:
LESS STRESS
Preparing for your senior portrait session can be stressful. Trying to do your hair and makeup by yourself can make things even harder. Professional camera equipment is designed to pick up every little detail in an image (even details that the eye can’t see) so hiring a professional makeup artist is the best way to go.
WHO DOESN’T LIKE BEING PAMPERED!?
I don’t ever want my seniors to feel like their portrait session is just simply “taking pictures”, I want it to be an EXPERIENCE. So, if my seniors arrive after an hour of being pampered, the entire experience has already started on a good note! If a senior arrives flustered or stressed after trying to get ready themselves, it can affect the entire experience, including the way you look in photographs!
my RECOMMENDATIONS
Here are some of the amazing artists I recommend in the Richmond area.
Radiant Reflection
RICHMOND MAKEUP ARTIST
- Plan to wear slightly heavier make-up than normal (remember heavier doesn't mean darker). A light foundation to even out skin tone, and well-blended blush and bronzer are key! Make sure to blend!!!
- A lipstick or gloss that are at least slightly darker than your lip color is a must, even if you don't usually wear makeup! Without it, the camera will wash out your lips.
- Make sure brows are neat and tidy. Unruly brows are distracting. You can use a clear mascara to keep them in place.
- I highly recommend powder if you have oily skin.
- For hair, I highly recommend working WITH instead of AGAINST your natural hair texture, especially in the warmer months. A heat and humidity finishing spray is your friend!
- Brush your teeth just before applying lip color to make sure your smile is super sparkly!
Don't neglect the nails
My STYLING TIPS!
In all of the chaos of senior session prep... don’t forget to pamper your nails! During your shoot, a lot of the poses we do will have your hands close to your face and in the frame, so make sure that your nails look just how you want! Try to avoid any chipped polish or busy patterns. French manicures, light/natural colors and even nails with no color at all photograph best! My favorite is OPI Bubble Bath which you can find on my Amazon Storefront, too!
Make it feel like YOU!
This is clearly a theme of this entire guide! The goal of adding in props or accessories is to make the shoot feel even more like YOU. Try to think creatively about the things that make you who you are. What are your hobbies? Favorite colors and styles? Extracurricular activities? Do you LOVE bright colors and want to have a ton of florals in your images to compliment that? Are you an athlete with medals and trophies that you want to highlight? Bring them along!
Hats + jewelry
One of the best parts about bringing extra options for props is that it gives us VARIETY. If you bring things like hats, extra jewelry, shoe options, etc...we can mix and match these pieces throughout your shoot to give you a TON of options in your final gallery. For example, if you bring a hat with you...we may throw it on for a quick 2-3 minutes in each of your outfits. Instantly, you have a ton of variety in looks and images just by adding and removing that one piece! Guys, this goes for you, too!
Pets and pups!
I welcome you to include your pet in your portraits and suggest they come during a few minutes at the beginning or end of your session. "Dress" your pet in a neutral collar and leash as these typically cannot be edited out of images. It helps to have a family member or trusted friend bring your pet for a portion of the session. If your dog has a favorite treat, bring that as well!
Props and Accessories
Now that we have a better idea of the overall style for your session based on your outfits and locations, let’s add in the pretty details! First, let me clarify: this part is optional! All we need is YOU to make your shoot amazing. But, if you want to personalize your shoot even further and add in some fun “extras”... this section of the guide is going to help you!
Beep Beep...
Want to include your car? There are many spots we can incorporate your vehicle at either Meadow Farm or roadside Ashland locations. Maybe you have a place all your own such as your favorite local race track or dirt road! Bring along your favorite sunglasses, hat, or even a pet to add to the vibe.
Sports and Hobbies
Athletics + Sports
If you play a sport that is a huge part of your high school career...we need to highlight it! You can bring along your uniform + equipment (volleyball, lacrosse stick, etc.) for some really fun photos. You can also consider adding in any medals, trophies or letters you have to highlight your talent.
Cheer + Dance
Let me just start by saying these are BOTH also sports...but they deserve their own section! I was a cheerleader myself, and it is so fun to capture these photos. Bring along your uniform + poms, or your leo and pointe shoes...we will get some STUNNING action shots for you, as well as the traditional posed images!
Hobbies + Artists
As a photographer and artist myself, I love finding creative ways to highlight your talent! If you paint, write, read or are a photographer yourself... let's show that off! We can find some really fun ways to highlight this, and I would love to have you bring along any pieces you are proud of to incorporate in your images!
Favorite Things
Incorporating your favorite things into your pictures can be really special. Enjoy collecting something? Have a portrait of a family member who is no longer with you? Let's brainstorm together to find some fun ways to highlight these things at your shoot!
Formal Yearbook Portraits
If you're including a formal yearbook portrait, we will meet at my home studio before heading on-location. The portrait takes just a few minutes to shoot. I have the black drape for ladies and several suit sizes for gentlemen up to XL. If your school has specific requirements for posing, sizing, or dress, please provide a copy prior to your session along with the deadline for delivery. You may deliver this image to your school yearbook based on their requirements.
Preparation for ladies:
Please do not wear anything with straps the hour before your appointment. You will want to arrive wearing a strapless bra or top to the formal portrait session. If your session is in the summer, please be mindful of tan lines. Most of my gals wear a string of pearls or a necklace. I have a set of collarbone length pearls if you would like to borrow them.
For gentlemen:
Please wear a plain white t-shirt to your session. I have shirt and jacket sizes up to XL. You're also welcome to bring your own suit attire if you wish.
Grad Sessions
As a thank you to my seniors, I offer my Senior Essential and Experience clients Grad Sessions! Grad Sessions are individual micro portrait sessions held at my home a few weeks prior to area graduations. Traditionally, Laura Matthews Seniors wear their college/trade school or a t-shirt representing their next steps under their cap and gown for a casual look, but you're welcome to wear anything you wish! Don't forget to steam wrinkles out of your gown! Scheduling for these sessions is first come, first serve and an email will be sent when sessions are open. High resolution images will be added to your online gallery!
Pre-Session Chats!
Let's chat! I hold weekly openings for 30 minute Google Chat Meetups! Please make sure you have completed your pre-session questionnaire prior to our Chat and come with questions! This will help us tie up any loose ends for your session and put you at ease come portrait day!
Schedule your chat here!
I've got you covered!
Now, for the slightly less fun part...let's address a few quick things that could go wrong at your session. These are some frequently asked questions that I get about common problems that can pop up...and I want you to feel as prepared as possible! I've been doing this for almost a decade....so I've seen it all! And I'm confident that we will get you amazing images no matter what gets thrown our way!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some questions that I get often, and what to do if anything goes wrong leading up to your session date!
Click to view the answers to each FAQ.
This is by far the most asked question I get about things that could go wrong, which makes total sense...because bad weather happens all the time! If there's unfavorable weather in the forecast for your session, rest assured I have options to reschedule! I typically wait until the noon the day of the session to make a final decision about weather because it changes so often. However, if it is clear there will be a weather event or there are scheduling difficulties, we may make arrangements earlier. If you are hiring a hair and makeup artist, please make sure you inform them of my weather policy.
If there's a 50% chance of rain or MORE or the radar looks threatening: My professional recommendation in these scenarios is to reschedule. Even if it doesn't end up raining, it's always better to be safe than sorry, trust me!
Wind: Sometimes, we can shoot despite the wind if we're strategic with WHERE we shoot. But if there are crazy gusts it will be difficult to create all the images I promise, so it may be best to reschedule.
Cloudy: I have a lot of seniors who are worried about cloudy days because they think their images won't be as bright and beautiful...but rest assured, that's not true!! Cloudy days are actually AMAZING for photographers...because it means there are no harsh shadows and we can shoot anywhere! Unless it is a seriously dark grey day with storm clouds...cloudy days are our friend! AND they aren't as hot! :)
Heat: The humidity and heat in Virginia can be super difficult for many reasons. If it's particularly hot and/or humid (typically over 92 degrees at our session time), I often will choose to reschedule for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, sweating and red faces aren't flattering for portraits. Humidity can cause a hazy look to images, which I'm not particularly fond of in my work. And lastly on a personal note, I have a heart arrhythmia which is unfortunately triggered by extreme heat. Let's be safe on the super hot days rather than sorry.
Please be mindful of the sun leading up to your session. You want to avoid tans lines if at all possible as these can be difficult to edit. I can typically soften light tan lines and sunburn. Harsh lines and red sunburns will result in extensive editing fees for each image. This can be very costly. If you cannot avoid the sun, please make clothing choices to cover any tan lines or seek out the help of a spray tan specialist to help mask them.
My skin is breaking out like crazy...HELP!
We've ALL been there! Don't worry one bit. I'm happy to remove any blemishes in Photoshop - you won't even know it happened! Promise!
Where am I going to change my clothes?
I mentioned this briefly earlier in the guide...but it's a question I get a lot! Typically, my seniors choose to change their outfits in the car. A lot of the time, we are photographing at locations that do not offer public restrooms or they're not in convenient locations, so your vehicle is the quickest option! I recommend trying to organize your outfits + accessories on hangers ahead of time to make this process super quick and easy. Please do not stuff clothing in a bag as wrinkles are very difficult to remove and will incur an extensive editing fee.
Gallery Delivery
I have a lightening fast turnaround time, but during prime seasons it may take up to 10-14 days to receive your completed images. I will give you an idea of my current workload prior to the end of your session so you know what to expect. You'll receive an email with the link to your full gallery as soon as it's ready. This is where you will be able to download, share and print all of your high resolution digital images. You can download individual images or the entire gallery at once. You can also individually save photos to your phone to start sharing on social media! The next few pages of the guide will walk you through how to use your gallery and the best ways to print and display your new favorite photos. Be sure to come back and reference this after your session!
After your shoot, my favorite part of the process is sharing your sneak peeks! I truly get just as excited about your images as you do…and I usually go straight home to edit a handful of my favorites and post them to my social media pages! You can expect sneak peeks to be shared on Facebook and Instagram the night of or early the next day…and you're welcome to share them, too!
The Sneak Peeks
Gallery delivery day is THE MOST EXCITING!!! I will send you the link to your final gallery in an email. This gallery is where you can easily download, share and print all of your high resolution digital files. Your gallery is SO easy to use, and beautiful if I do say so myself. It will remain open for one year. Make sure to save your image files on your computer, a cloud service, and a hard copy such as a USB flash drive. Place a copy in a safe deposit or fire proof box.
The Gallery Delivery
You will be prompted to log into your gallery with your email. This is for your safety and my records! This way, I know exactly who is viewing your gallery and downloading your images...and you know that random people can't get access to it without us knowing! Additionally, you can favorite images to note which ones you'd like to print, use for albums, wall art, or announcements.
Logging In
There are quite a few ways to download and save your digital images! When you are looking at your full gallery, you can click this button (the down arrow) to open the download menu:
Downloading Your Images
It will open a menu where you can download a folder of ALL of your images or just your favorites! You will need to enter the PIN number you were given in your gallery delivery email to download. You can click on the individual photos to view and download them one at a time, or download the entire gallery.
Printing Your Images
I truly believe so deeply in the power of printing your images and displaying them in your home. There is something so special about having a physical copy of these memories to cherish and pass down to other family someday. I have albums of my family photos, milestone sessions with my son, vacation pictures... and I look through them ALL the time! You took the time to invest so much money into your senior session...why not print the images and have a physical way to cherish them and share them?
As you know, I do not have any purchase minimums or requirements in terms of printing your images. They are yours to share and print from whenever you prefer! But there is the option to purchase professional-quality prints and products through your online gallery. This is the ONLY printing option that I personally and professionally recommend in terms of quality and durability. If you print somewhere else, I can NOT guarantee that the quality of the images will look the same as they do online, or that the products and prints themselves will be durable.
My honest suggestion is this: if you want to print your images larger than a 4x6…the professional printer through your online gallery is the best way to go.
In the next few pages, I'm going to walk you through the "shop" portion of your senior gallery. This is where you can find prints, wall art, framed prints, graduation cards and more directly through my professional printer!
Albums
Prints & Canvases
Grad Cards
accessing the shop
The Print Store is located in the menu of your online gallery. You can easily browse all prints, wall art, custom albums, announcements, and more! All products are shipped directly to you!
ALBUMS
One of my personal favorite ways to display your senior images is in an album. How wonderful to be able to display your favorite images in a beautiful way to enjoy for years to come. You can pick from many gorgeous cover options and easily design in your gallery!
Albums make amazing gifts for loved ones, too! Especially Grandparents!
GRADUATION CARDS
Want a super fun way to announce your graduation or invite people to a grad party? These graduation cards are absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the professional print quality means your images will look incredible featured on each card! There are TONS of amazing design options for these!
