A Parent's Ultimate Guide to High School Senior Pictures: Part 2

The Importance of Senior Pictures

As a parent, you know how fast time flies. It feels like just yesterday your child was starting kindergarten, and now they’re on the brink of graduating high school. Senior pictures are more than just photographs; they capture a significant milestone in your senior’s life. They’re a way to celebrate achievements, showcase personality, and create lasting memories.

What to Expect During the Photo Session

If you’re wondering what happens during a senior photo session, let me walk you through it. As a senior photographer in the Maryland, Virginia, and DC area, my primary goal is to make the experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We start by discussing outfit choices, locations, and any themes or props your senior may want to include. I usually do a phone call or a zoom session where we can discuss ideas for your session, possible locations, thoughts on what to wear, and any of your concerns or visions. I also send a questionnaire to get a better feel on your senior, particularly who they are, their likes, things they're interested in, and basic rundown on what would be a good experience for them as a takeaway from this photo session. During the session, I guide your senior through different poses while making sure they feel confident and at ease. A typical session lasts around 1-2 hours, allowing for outfit changes and multiple locations if desired.

Tips for a Successful Session

To make the most out of your senior’s photo session, consider these tips:

1. Plan Outfits in Advance: Choose outfits that reflect your senior’s style, but also encourage them to include a mix of casual and semi-formal attire.

2. Choose Meaningful Locations: Whether it’s the local park, a favorite hangout spot, or even your backyard, pick locations that hold significance for your senior. We definitely can discuss what would work best. This is something that we collaborate on because it is so central to a meaningful session.

3. Get Enough Rest: Make sure your senior gets a good night’s sleep before the session. Being well-rested will help them look and feel their best.

The Benefits of a Senior Photo Session

A senior photo session is more than just a photography appointment; it’s a rite of passage. But most important, I want it to be fun for your child, who is now a SENIOR!!! Here are some benefits of having a professional senior photo session:

1. Capturing Milestones: Graduating high school is a major milestone. Senior pictures commemorate this special time in your senior’s life.

2. Building Confidence: A photo session can significantly boost a senior’s confidence. Being in front of the camera, looking their best, and receiving positive feedback can provide a huge self-esteem boost.

3. Creating Lasting Memories: These photos are keepsakes that family and friends will cherish for years to come. They’re perfect for graduation announcements, yearbooks, and social media, too.

If you’re in the Maryland, Virginia, or DC area and are considering a senior photo session, feel free to reach out. I’d love to help capture this special moment for your family!

Sonia Greenaway Mickle is a senior photographer and portrait photographer based out of Fort Washington Maryland and Northern Virginia and serves the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Her goal is to bring out every senior’s personality in their images and she's dedicated to making sure that every senior session is unique and different so that you enjoy your images that reflect you and only you, know that you're special and valued, and experience a fun time. Sonia is now booking the Class of 2025 students for senior sessions, as well as portrait sessions