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Senior Portrait SESSION
planning your
choosing the perfect time, location, outfit & more!
Welcome
a note about this guide
I’m SO excited about your upcoming senior session with Olivia B. Photography and that you are officially one of my #obpseniors!! AH!!
You've probably already been sent a Senior Questionnaire to complete. This questionnaire will assist me with choosing your locations, helping you put together your outfits and making your session experience custom to you. Below is lots of information regarding hair and makeup, outfit selection, what to expect at your session, and more. Please read it thoroughly!
Neglecting to read this guide can result in a poor senior portrait experience, and most frequently asked questions are answered right here in this guide!
Senior portrait sessions can take place anywhere from the first day of your summer break to just a few weeks before graduation. I have found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your senior photos, but I normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a senior has in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour and a half to two hours and I love to begin sessions about two and a half hours before sunset. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
I schedule sessions during what I have found to be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. Once the sun is set, we can no longer shoot. Therefore, if you arrive to your session even 10-15 minutes late, it will affect the amount of time that we can shoot and the length of your session!
If you are more than 20 minutes late to your session, we will have to reschedule for my earliest available date (which is usually 2-3 months out!).
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
While most most of my senior portrait sessions take place between April and late November, sessions can be scheduled at anytime throughout the year. Most of my seniors choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Seasons
Spring
fresh flowers and sunny days
Even though Spring begins in March, I typically book the most Spring sessions during late April-early May. This is the time the gardens begin blooming and there's finally some green back on the trees! While we may have to deal with the occasional rain reschedule, April and May are absolutely my favorite months to shoot in.
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Summer
glowy evenings and summer colors
In spite of the heat, I'm a big fan of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your senior portraits during the summer, I recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
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Winter
snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats
If you’re planning to take your senior photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
If you’re hoping to use your senior portraits for your graduation announcements, I recommend scheduling your portrait session at least three months before you plan to send out your announcements. Between inclement weather, editing, designing your graduation announcements and printing, three months is generally a safe amount of time to make sure your images and cards are ready.
Graduation announcements
Locations
Birmingham, Alabama Portrait Locations
I love when my seniors choose locations for their session that helps to capture their personality. For example if you love a more formal, classic look, it may be fitting to take your engagement portraits among the classic architecture found in areas downtown, while a trip to Morris Avenue or the 22nd St. Bridge may be more fitting for a someone who wants a more bold look to their senior portraits. From columned churches to rose gardens to graffiti murals and football fields, the options for senior portrait session locations are endless!
Birmingham Botanical Rose Garden
The Federal Courthouse
Southside Baptist
The Florentine Building
Temple of Sibyl
CLASSIC & ELEGANT
Morris Avenue
22nd Street Bridge
Magic City Sign
White Wall at Railroad Park
URBAN
Railroad Park
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Highland Park Neighborhood
Downtown Homewood
Field at Highlands
Natural
The above locations are all beautiful, but I also love exploring meaningful locations with my seniors! Football fields, special coffee shops, libraries, etc.: I am down for anything!
BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS
THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
MORRIS AVENUE
22ND STREET BRIDGE
MAGIC CITY SIGN
THE 'WHITE WALL' AT RAILROAD PARK
RAILROAD PARK
HIGHLAND PARK NEIGHBORHOOD
FIELD AT HIGHLANDS
Destination Portrait Sessions
While most of my senior sessions are shot in the Birmingham area, we’ve photographed sessions everywhere from Tuscaloosa to Huntsville to Nashville, Tennessee. If you have a location in mind that is significant to the you, let me know because if our schedules align, I might be able to take your senior photos outside of my normal area.
Travel fees may apply depending on the location and my availability.
I highly recommend all of my senior clients invest professional hair and makeup. If it is in your budget, hiring a professional for your hair and makeup will make a drastic difference in the quality of your photos and senior portrait experience. You are already making a large investment in your senior portrait experience, so why not make it the best it can be?!
So, why exactly is it so important?
They are trained professionals. When you are investing in a professional photographer, you want to make sure that the images look their absolute best. Professional hair + makeup artists are TRAINED to do hair + makeup so that they photograph well. While your makeup may look AMAZING in person, it will 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 in every light, use colors that compliment your skin to make it look flawless, make your eyes POP with false lashes + shadows, manicure your eyebrows to perfection and more!
Less stress! Preparing for a senior portrait session is stressful in and of itself. Trying to do your hair + makeup by yourself can make things ever 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 + beautified, the entire experience has already started on a good note! If a senior arrives frustrated or stressed, it can affect the entire experience, including the way you look in photographs!
Hair & Makeup
Vendors
who will make your senior portrait experience incredible
Over the years, I have learned the important role quality vendors play in creating a stress-free and fabulous portrait experience. I have worked with many of the vendors below and can't recommend them enough! This is not a paid list - I chose these vendors for both the quality of their work as well as their professionalism with clients. Do be sure to reach out as soon as you book your portrait session-- their calendars fill just as quickly as mine!
I have a lot of seniors who come from out of town, so I wanted to include some of my favorite restaurants, too!
Hair and Makeup by Asia Nicole / @hmbyasianicole
Madeline Hulsey / @_mad.style
Hair and Makeup by Nat / @hmu.bynat
Cosmetics by Makenzie / @cosmeticsbymackenzie
Favorite Hair & Makeup Artists
Favorite Birmingham Restaurants
Outfits
tips for looking your best
Stuck on what to wear? I’m here to help! Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks to help you guide your outfit choices!
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 dramatic... but, if you accidentally wear something that isn’t flattering on camera or something that you don’t feel confident in, it can ruin the experience for you! So, here are some of the best ways to choose what to wear:
I encourage seniors to lean more into 'textures' rather than patterns. Patterns can get too busy on camera very quickly, but having a textured piece (think, lace, crochet detail, ruffles, etc.) can add an interest to a solid colored top without taking the focus off of you!
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin.
On camera, solid black + white can make skin tones look washed out and unflattering. So, when choosing outfits for your senior session, try to choose colors that are subtle/less saturated and that compliment your hair + skin colors! Pastel colors like blush pink, baby blue and yellow photograph beautifully as well as sage green, lavender, pale pinks, oranges and any other colors that are soft and dreamy! Sometimes, color combos that may seem odd in-person end up photographing BEAUTIFULLY on camera!
Wardrobe Tips
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! Additionally, we will most likely be sitting on the ground, laying down, walking and doing other things that could be difficult if your clothing is uncomfortable!
Another tip to add to your outfits is to 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 necklace 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 vest over a dress!
Be Comfortable
During a senior session, or any photo shoot, when it comes to accessories, I always say, 'the more, the merrier'! When planning your outfits, don’t forget to plan accessories. Stacks of bangles, long necklaces, statement pieces, scarves, hats, bright shoes and other add-ons can make or break an outfit!
If it's your style, you could even bring along a straw bag filled with beautiful flowers to your portrait session. If you have an idea for an out-of-the-box accessory, just send the idea my way and we'll discuss!
Accessorize
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. 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 dramatically different!
Mix it up
Pink Lily Boutique *
The Mint Julep Boutique
Fab'rik
Impressions Boutique *
Red Dress Boutique
Lane 201
Stella Rae's Boutique
Abercrombie & Fitch *
Bella & Bloom Boutique
Baltic Born *
Favorite Shops
Lulu's *
H&M *
Nordstrom *
Baldwin Bred Boutique
The Pants Store
South Boutique
The Willow Tree Boutique *
I Just Have to Have It
Contemporary Cottage
*Lots of size inclusive options!
And, one last tip! 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 crazy patterns. French manicures, light/natural colors and even nails with no color at all photograph best!
Manicure
Inclement Weather
what to do if it rains
I will check in the week of your senior portrait session to confirm the time & location we will be meeting at, and the weather. I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for your portrait session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain.
My policy is that if there's a 50% chance of rain or higher, we will plan to reschedule. If there's a smaller chance of rain, it is up to you, but I always encourage my seniors to take a look at the sky-- even if there's only a 40% chance of rain, if the sky is cloudy and grey, we won't be able to shoot in that gorgeous, glowy light my senior portraits are known for!
If the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call at least 12-24 hours in advance.
When it comes to posing for your senior portrait session, you won't have to worry about a thing! I will guide you through the entire process, starting with “poses” that are super easy and natural. The answers to your Senior Questionnaire will also help me to watch for anything you may not love in your portraits.
Throughout your session, I'll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfit to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your portrait experience!
"What do I do with my hands?"
"What do I do with my hands?"
POSING
As soon as possible after your session is complete, I will share a social media sneak peek from your portrait session-- so make sure you are following me on socials! Unless I have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your senior photos no later than 3 weeks from your portrait session date.
When to Expect Your Images
I know this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your senior portrait session! However, if there is something I missed or if you need a recommendation, feel free to email
olivia.b.photo@gmail.com.
I am so excited to work together!