So you’ve made the decision to get senior portraits taken? Excellent! We’re so excited that you’ve chosen to capture this special time in your life. Photos are always an excellent way of making and preserving memories. But how do you choose locations for your senior portraits? Let’s walk through this together shall we?
Work Your Interests and Hobbies Into Your Senior Photos
First, let’s think about what your interests and hobbies are. What are you into? If you’re a car aficionado, then you’ll probably want some place with lots of space to take shots in or near the car. Are you a bookworm? Then the perfect setup may be to include stacks of books in a relaxing location.
Some seniors enjoy the great outdoors, while others may be more at home in a coffee shop. Either are great ideas, but only if they suit your personality. Take some time to really think about what it is you enjoy doing in your free time to help you narrow down the list of possible locations for your senior portraits.
Having a list of hobbies will make your senior photoshoot more unique and memorable. It will also make your images more interesting by giving you something to do rather than awkward staring at the camera.
What Sports or Extracurricular Activities Do You Participate In
If you play any sport, or are involved in any type of extracurricular activities, this is a great time to show it off! Some ideas include getting some action shots of you spiking a volleyball over the net, or sinking a 3-pointer on the court. You could also go for the winning goal on the soccer field, or score the winning touchdown of the game. Of course you will want to see if those locations are available to you first before scheduling a shoot there.
For dancers, musicians, or singers you can always try for the big stage. If not, then a nice open field with your dance outfit or musical instrument will serve nicely for an epic image.
For a more urban setting, downtown areas offer some unique ideas for great senior pictures with a modern twist. Parking garages, in particular, have the potential for some really awesome gritty and edgy photos.
Drive by the location before the shoot
If you have an idea for where you might want to go for your senior photos, drive by the location first. Go by during the time when the shoot will be scheduled so that you have an idea of what the area will look like during your actual shoot.
Some things to look for when driving by a potential location:
- Are there any shaded areas?
- Are there places to get dressed if changing into multiple outfits?
- Is the area crowded or will there be lots of distractions in the background?
- How far away from town is the location? Will you need to take water, snacks, etc while you’re at the photoshoot?
Keeping these things in mind will help you better prepare for your senior portrait session, and also make it a more enjoyable one too.
Destination or Local Senior Portraits
How far are you willing to go for your senior portraits? Are there some great locations in or near your hometown, or is that killer spot somewhere that requires a bit of traveling? This is where you will want to work closely with your photographer as they can help recommend the best areas to photograph. You’ll also want to consult your photographer first as there may be an additional charge for traveling outside his or her immediate area.
Keep In Mind Possible Weather Conditions When Selecting a Location For Your Senior Photoshoot
Are you dreaming of a mountain-inspired senior photoshoot? Or how about exploring the peacefulness of the desert sands? No doubt there are some scenic areas that will yield amazing photos for your high school portraits.
Caution though should be exercised, especially in areas that are prone to extreme temperatures. The last thing we want for anyone is to pass out from heat exhaustion during their shoot, or come down with frostbite. If you’re expecting hot temperatures during your shoot, pack some extra water to keep from dehydrating. It may also help to take a small makeup kit for light touch ups.
Choosing the right location for your senior graduation portraits can seem daunting. You don’t want to mess up the entire shoot by making a bad choice. We get it, and we’re here to say that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed.
Just remember to take a deep breath, and take it one step at a time. We at Talva Photography can help you narrow down the possible choices based on your unique personality that will fit you like a glove.
Interested in capturing your senior’s best moments in life? We’d love to hear from you!
Visit our Contact Page to begin the process.