High School Senior Photo Session Checklist

How To Prepare For Your High School Senior Photo Session!

All Checklists

Planning the perfect senior portraits starts with being prepared, and our High School Senior Photo Session Checklist makes it easy. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need for a smooth and stress-free session — from choosing outfits and props to scheduling hair and makeup. With the High School Senior Photo Session Checklist, you’ll feel confident, organized, and ready to capture this exciting milestone with stunning photos you’ll cherish for years.

On This Page

Preparation

Multiple Wardrobe Changes Are Very Important To Keep Pictures Interesting.

Pack Days Ahead

  • Pack a suitcase, large bag or box
  • I will adjust wardrobe for changing skies and backgrounds
  • Feel free to send ideas, questions and pics

Wardrobe

You can normally change wardrobe every half hour.
Please bring multiple wardrobe changes.

High School Senior Photo Sessions

The high school senior photo session checklist would not be complete without your unique touch!

  • Sports equipment or uniform
  • Musical instrument or sheet music
  • Items related to your hobbies (e.g., books, art supplies, camera)
  • Sentimental items (e.g., family heirloom, special jacket).

I Bring Upon Request

  • Unisex Matte Black 45″ Long Graduation Gown, Black Cap, Gold Sash and Gold Tassel

Casual

Styles:

  • Tank crop top, spaghetti strap crop top, v neck tank, strapless crop top, strapless tube top, spaghetti strap crop tube
  • Your favorite or memorable tops
  • Shorts, long skirts, short skirts, pants

Casual Colors:

  • Blue, purple, red, mauve, pink, magenta, teal, orange, yellow, light gray, white, black
  • BAD Greens, browns

Dresses

Styles:

  • Hippie dress, sundress, formal, evening, costume, period dress

Casual Colors:

  • Blue, purple, red, mauve, pink, magenta, teal, orange, yellow, light gray, white, black
  • BAD Greens, browns

General Tips

  • Personality Choose the clothes that match your personality
  • Textures should be thin and smooth so it hugs or flows over your body
  • Undergarments should be unnoticeable, smooth, close fit and a non-bunching
  • Tight Clothing should be smooth and free of heavy seams and distractions
  • Loose Clothing should be thin and flow over your body, not constrict it
  • Swimsuits, Bikinis and Thongs should be smooth, close fit and non-bunching
  • Sheer Clothing Use unnoticeable pasties and skin or white bikini-thong bottoms
  • No Nude Pictures

Props

Please Bring Some Of These Items

  • Hand Bag or Purse
  • Small Hobby Items
  • Books
  • Mugs, Cups, Wine Glass

Optional Ideas

  • Small Mirror
  • Hand Fans
  • Empty Picture Frame
  • Baskets
  • Cushions
  • Stuffed Animals

Patterns and Textures

Patterns
You do not want to compete with your clothing

  • Solids are best, paisley or hippie
  • BAD – Extreme outfits that draw the eye away from your face

Textures

  • GOOD – Smooth body hugging or flowy cloth
  • BAD – Ruffles, bunching, excessive folds, heavy stitching, thick padding, double cloth

Accessories

Please Bring Some Of These Items

  • Jewelry
  • Boots
  • Casual Shoes
  • Sandals
  • High Heels
  • Flops
  • Favorite Hat
  • Big Hats

Optional Ideas

  • Wraps
  • Jackets

You do not have to go strictly by the Photo Session Checklist. Bring items that match your personality, hobbies or your favorite sport.

Hair Styles

Change It Up

  • Headbands
  • Scarfs
  • Pigtails
  • Ponytails
  • Clips and pins
  • Quick Bun

It’s best to show with the most time consuming look, then do fast changes during the session. There is no time for extensive hair changes such as braiding.

Makeup for Outdoor Sessions

Good

  • Show Up With A Natural Makeup Look
  • Clear Lip-Gloss and Mascara will do just fine
  • Setting Powder is essential to reduce shiny skin, but only apply if I ask
  • Bring Towel to dab perspiration
  • I always remove acne blemishes, bug bites, sores and whiten teeth
  • I normally reduce or remove distracting scares

Bad

  • Thick Makeup is Very Bad
  • Unless you have a professional that works with models and actors, do not apply thick makeup
  • I cannot edit or retouch it and you will look like plastic in pictures
  • Bring your normal makeup and a small mirror in case we need it

I Normally Bring

  • Sheer Wraps
  • Paper Umbrella
  • Chair (park session)

Upon Request

  • Pearl Beads
  • Flower Crowns
  • Violin

Posing

Look Amazing has general tips, movement, head, face, body, arms and legs
Top Model has some basic and involved techniques that you can practice before photo session.
Flow Posing may seem silly but it makes you appear more natural by moving into the desired position rather than a still pose that may appear rigid.