Preparation Guide for Senior Girls Photo Shoots

Being well prepared for you senior photo session can make the difference between average and fabulous photos. Follow these easy tips and you’ll be well on your way to looking your absolute best. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact AfallaStudios.

Mindset

Have fun! We’re going to make you look great and you’ll have a great time. 

That’s why you chose AfallaStudios.

Relax. We like to think we’re rather cool and easy to get along with. Plus, we help you with posing, so there’s no pressure on you.

Arrival

Arrive early or on time to your appointment. Showing up late means you lose camera time or hair/make-up time, and we don’t want that.

If you’re coming from out of town, give yourself plenty of time to find your way around. The streets in Dallas aren’t the easiest to navigate and having a buffer in case you get lost will save you some stress.

Style

You’re unique and beautiful. Follow our guidelines but be yourself in how you dress.

Be fashionable. Wear clothing that’s stylish and put a lot of thought into your choices. This is a unique opportunity and we want you to look amazing!

Clothing - Extended Photo Shoot

We give you unlimited wardrobe changes, so bring A LOT of options. The more outfits we have to choose from, the better. This will give us flexibility in matching your clothing to backgrounds and the surroundings.

Group your outfits together on hangers. Make sure items are ironed and ready to go.

Plan on changing quickly. The faster you change, the more time we have to photograph and the more photo choices you’ll have later.

Make sure you’re comfortable in your clothing and that it flatters you. This will ensure that you like how you look when viewing your photos.

If you’re self-conscious about your arms, avoid sleeveless or cap-sleeve shirts and tank tops, as they tend to make arms look fuller.

Avoid stripes and plaid. Solid colors photograph much better than busy patterns.

Bring a variety of colors and mix the level of styles. Some should be dressy, some dressy-casual, and some casual.

If you’re comfortable in dresses, bring them! They photograph really well and offer a nice variety from your other casual clothing choices. We can mix dressy and casual dresses for some great looks.

Clothing - SCA Mini-Photo Shoot

All Senior Couture Ambassadors (SCA) will receive a FREE mini-photo shoot in order to create amazing photos for promotion materials when marketing AfallaStudios to your classmates. 

SCA’s will have two ‘looks’ for their photo shoots: the  more conservative/professional look and the “YOU” look that shows off your personality. For the conserv/pro look could me something nice like a sundress, pant suit, denim jeans with a cute top and blazer as a suggestion. The “YOU” look could be something totally opposite- a little more “YOU”. Wear something that portrays your personality. Is it wild? Crazy? Cute? Sassy?

Once you nailed down your two ‘looks’ you MUST send photos of these outfits to your photographer one week before your mini-photo shoot. This helps the photographer and his team find locations that compliments your two ‘looks’. 

In-Studio

AfallaStudios has a newly renovated 450 square foot studio that provides their customers a unique photo studio boutique experience. We offer in-studio photo shoots as well as location shoots. Our studio has a large bathroom that you can use to change into your many ‘looks’ along with a full size mirror to check out how amazing you’ll look for the camera. We also have a half-galley style kitchenette with refrigerator filled with complimentary beverages and snacks.

For in-studio, we photograph using a technique called Tethering. When the photographer snaps a photo, your image shows up on his laptop. But we take it a step further, we create a wireless connection from the laptop to our 46” flat screen LED tv so you can see the portrait in real time while you’re still on set. No need to run back and forth between the set and the laptop. What other senior portrait studio that you know does that?

On-Location

We are constantly on the look out for cool and never been used before locations. Whether its in front of a blue rusty dumpster that has amazing textures or on a hill in front of a huge bridge, we are always open to create amazing portraits using these types of backgrounds. We want to push the envelope and not look like the other studios that photograph in the same locations year after year.

Shoes

We cannot say it loudly enough. Wear heels! Whether pumps or boots, dressy or casual, plain or sassy, heels really make you stand out and look glamorous. For shoe examples from past sessions, take a look at our article Shoes: Heels, Boots, Flats Example Photos for Senior Girls.

Flats can also work well if you mix them with the right outfit.

We will not photograph you in flip-flops. Yes, they’re comfy and we all love them, but they don’t photograph well.

Hair

Although we try to help with hair, it is hard to know what your hair “is supposed to look like.” Make sure you like the look or let the photographer know your preferences. Better yet, bring your best friend with you for the session and he or she can help. Hair style is ultimately YOUR responsibility. Any hair changes during the session should be quick and simple so you have as much camera time as possible.

Bring hair spray, clips, pins, and whatever else is needed to keep your hair out of your eyes if it’s windy. Also bring a brush and mirror on location or on-set for quick hair touch-ups.

Do not make drastic changes to your hairstyle right before your photo session. This could add unneeded drama to your life.

Keep in mind, we do offer hair and make-up services. Contact us for more information.

Makeup

Makeup that is well done is one of the best preparations you can make for your session. It will even out skin tones and help give your photos that extra pop for a model-like look. Even if you don’t normally wear makeup or wear very little, take the time to do it well and your photos will look their best.

Makeup should only be slightly heavier than normal. Mascara should be clean and not clumpy. Avoid makeup with an SPF because it tends to create a shine. Summer shine can be controlled by using translucent powder that knocks out shine without adding additional color.

SCA Hair and Makeup

All SCA members will have a complimentary hair and makeup session with Richard Flores of Aria Salon. This session is part of your mini-photo shoot so make sure you arrive on time for your appointment. Make sure you thoroughly wash your face with your facial cleanser before he applies your makeup.

Jewelry

Keep it simple. Big, shiny jewelry can distract from the important subject, you. If you have different jewelry for different outfits, you might put each set of jewelry in a plastic baggy and hang it on the hanger with that outfit.

All that being said, the proper jewelry can really complement your outfit. It’s nice to have a variety to choose from and it doesn’t hurt to bring numerous options with you.

Props

They’re great! Bring props that help show who you are. Some popular choices are:

• Sports equipment (soccer ball, basketball, softball bat, etc.)
• Sports uniforms
• Musical instruments
• Activity related items (dance, art, school clubs, etc.)

Glasses

Most lenses have a glare. The safest option is to check with your eye doctor and ask if they’ll loan you a similar pair without lenses.

Tanning

Tan lines are a distraction and take away from your photos. We suggest you use a tanning bed and varied swimsuit tops to minimize any existing tan lines. If you choose to tan outside or in a tanning bed, don’t overdo it. We don’t want you looking orange and leathery.

Complexion

Makeup helps a lot here, but we do retouch your photos, so please don’t be concerned about minor breakouts. We have you covered! If your acne is more severe, you’re still okay. We had bad acne is high school and understand! We’re happy to help you out with some extra retouching free of charge.

Friends & Parents

Friends or parents are welcome and often can be a help. However, if they distract you, it may be best to meet them when the session is over or have them stand far away out of your view. You’re welcome to have a couple of shots with a boyfriend, best friend, sibling, or parent at no extra charge.

Weather

Don’t worry about clouds because they actually even out the light and make for ideal shooting conditions. But falling rain is an issue and we will have to reschedule. We will try to contact you first, but please call or text us if you have any doubts or concerns.

Braces

If desired, we can remove braces in Photoshop free of charge. Otherwise, try not to worry about them. Give a natural smile and enjoy yourself. A good smile with braces is far better than the awkward smile that comes when you try to hide them.

Undergarments

Please make sure the colors of your undergarment coordinate well with your outfits and don’t show through your clothing. If you need a strapless, please bring one to your session. Tucking or moving straps will not always work or give the most pleasing look.  Check ahead of time to ensure that undergarments don’t leave unpleasing lines underneath your clothing.

Finger & Toe Nails

If you paint your nails, make sure they’re done well before your session. Chipped nail paint will show up in your portraits and distract from you. Avoid bright colors that will distract from you and may not work with all your outfits. Instead, opt for basic or natural tones.

Music

In any photo shoot, wether its photographing a top model, an engagement couple or a high school senior, music puts people in the mood. We have a bluetooth wireless Jambox that can connect to any bluetooth enabled music device like an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Android. Feel free to connect it to our Jambox and have us play your playlist. Create a playlist before your photo shoot and coordinate it with each of your looks. Now, how cool is that?!?

Other Cameras at the Photo Shoot

You hired us to photograph your senior portraits using high quality equipment and we all know how much our clients like to photograph using their iPhones or Android phones. Documenting all the fun and excitement and posting it online immediately is fun BUT it spoils the fun for AfallaStudios. Allow us to post the 'sneak peek' photos to our Facebook page so you can share it that way. We can do it on the spot for you.

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ATTENTION! PLEASE DO NOT CROP OR ALTER ANY PHOTOS IN ANY WAY PER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS.