Senior Portrait Perfection

It's that time of year! Here are a few tips to make sure your son or daughter's senior portrait will not embarrass them for years to come. If you are not inclined toward a cookie cutter type senior portrait, ask friends for recommendations. Ideally, a photographer who will offer you a couple different outfit changes and both studio and location photos for one sitting fee will be the best option.

Let your son or daughter have a say in their clothing and hair style if you don't want to fight about it from the moment you set the appointment. If a formal (suit or dress) photo is something you are committed to, allow your child to have some input on a more casual look for a location shot. This ensures you are both happy with the outcome- after all, the bulk of the wallet photos will be handed out to their friends and they need to have a positive feeling about their image.

As far as clothing, whether you are dressy or casual, try to select timeless fashions. You don't want to look at the image on your wall in five years and think- "oh, why did I make him wear that!" Steer clear of trendy items which will date the image or loud patterns or colors which can be distracting. After all, this is a photo of your child, not your child's clothing. Avoid logos and labels- as they can both date and distract.

The day before the shoot is not the day for a hair cut- give it at least five days for your child to be comfortable with the length and style so they are not insecure or uncomfortable in front of the camera- for most people, this is already a foreign and unnerving experience. If your son is always clean shaven, this is not the time to debut a goatee or fledgling beard- likewise, if your child wears glasses at all times, at least some of the photos should include them. The point to the photo is that you remember your child as they are and as you know them.

Have your child bring their IPod or MP3 so that if the photographer has the capability- music they are familiar with or enjoy will be playing during the shoot. So much of our culture is built around music- it is a simple way to relax everyone involved.

Eat a bit before you arrive so no one is cranky, hungry or even over full and annoyed. A light snack is best and carving out a little extra time to spend with your child following the shoot can make for a nice afternoon.

Most of all- have fun and don't be offended if your child would prefer to conduct the shoot without you there. But, make sure to manage your expectations by making them clear to the photographer.