It’s completely normal to feel a little awkward when taking senior portraits. Many seniors (and adults too!) tend to feel self-conscious about their appearance because they feel uncomfortable taking photos on their own. Below are five tips for taking on your senior portrait with grace and confidence and leaving with photos that you will love for years to come.

1. Use your eyes.

Use your eyes to express emotion. When you smile naturally your whole face lights up and your eyes look bright and awake. But do not worry, I will help you achieve this and get beyond the ‘less than natural expression’ along the way!

2. Relax.

Great photos happen when the subject is relaxed and confident. Let the excitement of you photo session show through the lens as you take a moment and breathe, relax and just have fun. This is where bringing a best friend or sister helps a lot! You may feel silly during this process but we will do everything we can to help you feel more comfortable.

3. Breathe.

This may sound obvious but breathing is key to capturing a natural look. Take time to  practice taking a deep breath while smiling in front of the mirror.  Slowly release the air while holding the smile and notice how your face and eyes settle into a natural and relaxed expression. Allow your eyes to “smile” by focusing on the apples of your cheeks pressing upwards. When in doubt, just breathe.

4. Move.

Staying stationary can sometimes produce a very staged and cheesy look. Just because you are sitting or standing still doesn’t mean you can’t change the angle of your body to create a look that is fresh and inspired. Try leaning into the camera slightly to appear more engaged, shift your weight from left to right, or simply move your chin slightly up and down for different shots as this gives us a variety of facial expressions to work with. Again, I will guide you through this process and it will be fun!

5. Beautify.

This goes for everyone. It is so worth spending some extra time getting your hair blown out, your makeup done and choosing an outfit that makes you look and feel your best. Teens usually get their makeup done at my studio before the session and I can also arrange for someone to come get your hair done as well! Plus, a bit of pampering before the photos makes for extra special memories! As for the men, take a shower and shave. When you look your best, you feel your best and when you feel your best, you are naturally more confident. Go the extra mile to walk into your senior session feeling confident, attractive, prepared, and inspired.