Ahhhh, senior photos! Where do I even begin? Senior photos are the most fun. YOU get to choose where to go, what to wear, when to do them, all the things. Here in Indiana, most people do their photos in the summer or fall, and for good reason: summer is a great time for looking super cute in a sundress in a backlit field of wildflowers! And fall, ahhhhhhhh the colorful leaves, the sweaters, the boots, the scarves, etc. In terms of time of day, we usually do outdoor shoots around sunrise or sunset, when the sun is lowest in the sky - this is how we get that dreamy golden backlit look. One thing to remember is that it's never too late to take senior photos. My nephew? I shot his the summer after his senior year - and they are fabulous and I promise nobody cares now that they were shot then - his parents cherish them just as much and will for many years to come. BUT if you need them in time for a yearbook deadline, that's a key consideration when it comes to scheduling. In terms of locations, be creative: do you love nature and parks and flowers, downtown energy, a retro diner, a swanky hotel lobby, your soccer field, or your own backyard? Or maybe some combo of these? Cool. Those are all great ideas - share them with your photographer!

Speaking of: you get to choose your photographer! But how? Pay attention to other people's photos, especially awesome ones. Ask around. And - this is super important- check out their past work, on their website, Insta, whatever. You want someone whose vibe you love. (If all their past work is dark and moody, guess what your photos will look like? :)) Next: make contact, maybe get a sense of the photographer's personality. If you've seen something in their portfolio or on Insta that you especially like, be sure to mention that. Then: an inspo board is a great place to collect things that light you up (and to share with your photographer so they really get your aesthetic!). Images, yes, but also quotes, style icons, locations, colors, whatever feels like YOU. This is so helpful when it comes to communicating your vibe. And now: please enjoy these photos of many lovely clients who took all my advice, had a fabulous experience, and look positively divine in their photos and THEN KEEP SCROLLING ON DOWN ... because there's so much more goodness below the photos!!!

And we're back! Okay, so now that you've chosen your photographer, the season/timeframe, and are actively pondering/researching locations, you will also begin working on outfits. Please choose something you feel wonderful in - you do not need to buy all new things, and please don't go shopping for complete outfits the night before your shoot. (I did this the night before my senior photos and let me tell you, it showed! It was a black and brown sweater with shiny gold buttons, but the texture was the real issue: it was like upholstery fabric. I'll show you a photo if you're curious! :)) And please remember: we're photographing YOU, not (just) your clothes!

Fit and seasonal appropriateness is key - we want you feeling relaxed and confident during your shoot. Your outfits should make sense in the locations you choose, though there are exceptions. For instance, YES you can wear a fabulous ballgown pretty much anywhere. But as a general matter: AVOID stuff with writing on it (exceptions: college merch and maybe band t-shirts); neon or colors that don't make sense in the season (like maybe not a pink sundress in fall); things you can't move freely in (such as shirts you can't lift your arms in or uncomfortable shoes); and finally, tiny prints, such as pinstripes, which just don't photograph well. Pro tip: put on your entire outfit, including shoes and accessories, take phone photos and share them with friends or your photographer - anyone you trust to give you honest but kind feedback before the shoot. PLEASE don't skip this step: It's SOOO much better to realize that something isn't flattering BEFORE your shoot rather than when you get your photos back! And please no wrinkles (iron/steam/dry clean everything - including ties! - and leave on hangers!); and PLEASE no visible bra straps or bulges. Hair and makeup: if you do this on a regular basis already, you should be just fine, but don't be afraid to admit if you need some help. We very much want to avoid frizzy flyaways and helmet hair and smeary mascara and red, sweaty faces - usually just a problem on the hottest summer days. Bring a comb/brush, styling supplies, and makeup and mirror so you can refresh when you change outfits. How many outfits? Two or three - at least one dressy (including, for girls, one that allows movement and flow) and one casual (like jeans and a going-out shirt), in colors and styles that are flattering (and ideally road-tested - as in, maybe don't wear something for the first time ever at your shoot). And bring accessories, such hats, scarves, headbands, layers - which can give you something to do with your hands and seriously take a photo to the next level! - and any props you may want to incorporate, such as sports equipment or a varsity jacket. If you have long hair, maybe consider wearing it down with one outfit and up with another? And speaking of hair: mayyyybe don't suddenly try out a brand new haircut or color right before your shoot. So that was a lot of words - who's ready for some more photos!? 
Lucy Kam Foellinger + family Okay, we've made it to the last little bit of text - stick with me here! It's the day of the shoot and you definitely haven't waited until the night before or morning of to pull it all together! - yay! What if it's crazy hot or raining? No problem, because if you are my client, we have already scheduled a back-up date. But let's say it's a gorgeous day - yay again! We will have already decided on a meeting place and time, depending on light conditions. Your photographer should know what you're planning to wear to the shoot so they can start to plan out a course of action. (And as a friendly reminder, PLEASE share phone pics of yourself wearing your outfits with your photog BEFORE the shoot - we will give you honest and informed feedback, which you are of course free to disregard. Just please use us as a resource!) Because here's the thing: a shoot can be pretty physical - you will probably be moving and grooving, possibly through tall grass or up stairs or down to the river. So PLEASE eat and hydrate ahead of time. And please do not stay out late the night before or plan a busy morning. Basically, do whatever to you need to do to feel safe and relaxed and happy during the shoot. Please know that many (most?) people are uncomfortable being photographed. And that many boys are dreading this whole experience and only doing it because their moms are making them. Listen: it's alllll good. If I am your photographer, please believe that WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER! It might feel awkward at first, but mostly it will feel like a fun conversation. Trust me! I hope this is helpful - please reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat!