Preparing for your Senior Session

Location and Timing

Senior sessions start about 3 hours prior to sunset and typically last up to 2 hours, I will confirm with you the exact time a few days before your shoot. We will talk via phone or text about location options and figure out together the best spots for your session. We can shoot in 2-3 different locations in one session if we don’t have to go too far.

What to Wear

I want you to feel comfortable, amazing and beautiful at your session. Plan to wear 3 outfits and if possible try them on and take photos from all angles in your mirror. Make sure you love the way you look from all the different angles. Please avoid: large logos, large text, and neon colors. Send me pictures of your outfits and feel free to ask for help if you feel stuck and can’t decide what to wear.

Accessories

Feel free to bring accessories such as hats, jewelry, or anything else you’d like to incorporate into your session. Accessories can pull together an outfit and make it look complete. Just by switching up accessories and layers, you can get multiple looks without having to do a complete outfit change.

Undergarments

Make sure your undergarments coordinate well and won’t show through your clothing. Double-check that all undergarments are smooth and won’t leave lines under tight fitting clothes.

Makeup

Carefully applied makeup is one of the best preparations you can make for your senior session. Makeup will help even out skin tones and provide a little extra glow. Makeup should be slightly heavier than normal. Pay special attention to mascara and eye liner. Plan to wear lipstick or lip gloss. This will help complete your look and define your lips. If you can afford getting professional makeup and hair done, please do so, you’ll love your final images even more!

Tan lines

Tan lines are a distraction and take away from your photos. Please keep this in mind as your are preparing for your session and planning your clothing. Please limit sun exposure the week before your session!

Nails

Hands and fingernails will show in your images. Fingernails should be clean and trimmed. If nails are painted, neutral color is best. Please no chipped nail paint.

What to Bring

. 3 outfits - ironed and on hangers

. accessories, jewelry, comfortable shoes to walk in, shoes to wear in your shoot, and the right undergarments for each outfit

. hairspray and brush

. makeup

. mirror

. lint brush

. lip stick or lip gloss to re-apply during the session

. water bottle

After Your Session

You will receive an email link to your proof gallery a few days after your session. These images will not be fully edited yet and they’ll have a watermark on them. You will be able to select the images of your choice by simply favoriting them. I’ll finish editing your selected photos and deliver the high resolution files no later than 2 weeks after your final selection. Please, make your selection as soon as possible so I can deliver your final gallery in a timely manner.

Your Final Gallery

You will receive your final edited photos in the same way you received your proof gallery. Please, download your pictures and back them up if possible. From the gallery, you’ll be able to order print products or you can use your preferred lab to print your images ( I can not guarantee the quality of your prints if you don’t use my professional lab). The gallery has limited options, so if you don’t see what you want, please ask me! I offer lay flat books, image cubes, image blocks, metal prints, etc. The options are endless! I highly recommend that you print your images, you’ll be able to enjoy them more than if they live in your computer only.

Please reach out when/if you have questions

Edina Merkel @ 330-634-3422

I can’t wait to work with you!