5 Things Every Senior Needs Before a Professional Shoot

A professional senior portrait session should be memorable, personal, and enjoyable. A little preparation will help you arrive feeling confident and allow us to spend more of the session creating photographs instead of solving avoidable problems.

You do not need to plan every pose or know exactly what to do in front of the camera. That guidance is part of the experience.

However, every senior should have these five things ready before the session begins.

1. A Confirmed Session Plan

Your first essential is more than a date on the calendar. You should understand the basic plan for your senior portrait experience.

Before session day, confirm:

• The date and starting time

• The meeting location

• Any additional locations we plan to visit

• Expected travel or walking between locations

• Parking and admission information

• Any required permits or location fees

• Who will be attending with you

• What happens if weather affects the plan

Because Behind the Lens Images senior sessions generally last between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, you should reserve enough time before and after the scheduled start. Avoid placing another important appointment immediately after the session.

Arriving rushed or worried about your next obligation makes it harder to relax and enjoy the experience.

2. An Organized Wardrobe

Your clothing should be selected and prepared well before the day of the session.

I encourage seniors to bring multiple wardrobe options. Four or five different looks often provide a strong range of choices, depending on the locations and session plan.

You may not wear every outfit you bring. Having options allows us to decide which clothing works best with the surroundings, weather, light, and variety we have already created.

Each outfit should be:

• Clean and free of lint or pet hair

• Pressed or steamed

• Placed on a hanger whenever possible

• Paired with the correct shoes

• Packaged with its jewelry and accessories

• Tested for comfort while sitting, walking, and moving

Check that you have the correct undergarments for every outfit. Visible straps, dark garments under light clothing, or socks that do not coordinate can become distracting.

You should also bring a backup option. Weather, access, or lighting may make another outfit more appropriate than the one originally planned.

3. Something That Helps Tell Your Story

Your senior portraits should document more than what you looked like during your final year of high school. They should preserve something about who you were.

Consider bringing an item connected to an important part of your life, such as:

• A sports uniform, ball, helmet, or other equipment

• A musical instrument

• A letterman jacket

• Dance or performance attire

• Art supplies or books

• A vehicle that is meaningful to you

• A college shirt, flag, or banner

• A family heirloom or sentimental object

• A cap and gown

You do not need to use props simply because this is a senior session. Bring something only when it genuinely contributes to your story.

Large, valuable, fragile, or unusual items should be discussed ahead of time. We may need to adjust the location or session timeline to incorporate them safely.

4. A Small Session-Day Essentials Kit

A few practical items can solve many of the small problems that occur during an outdoor portrait session.

Pack a small bag containing:

• Water

• A hairbrush or comb

• Hairspray and hair ties

• Makeup or lip-color touch-up products

• Blotting papers or facial tissues

• Deodorant

• Lint roller

• Safety pins

• Fashion tape

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Any medication or personal item you may require

For outdoor sessions in and around Las Vegas, sunscreen may also be useful before the session begins. Depending on the season and location, you may need insect repellent, a light jacket, or another weather-appropriate layer.

Keep the kit small and organized. We want the essential items available without carrying several unnecessary bags from one location to another.

5. Realistic Expectations and an Open Mind

You do not need to arrive knowing how to pose, where to place your hands, or how to create a natural expression. You also do not need to recreate every photograph you have saved online.

Inspiration images can help us understand the style and mood you prefer, but your session should be created around you.

Be prepared to try different ideas, movements, expressions, camera angles, and locations. Some of the strongest photographs may come from moments you did not plan.

You might blink, laugh unexpectedly, need to repeat a movement, or decide that an outfit does not work as well as expected. None of that means anything has gone wrong.

The purpose of preparation is not to make the session perfect. It is to give us enough flexibility to create something personal and meaningful.

What You Do Not Need to Bring

You do not need to bring your entire closet, every person you know, or a large collection of props.

You also do not need to bring someone who will make you feel self-conscious or attempt to direct the session. A parent, family member, or friend can provide valuable support, but your comfort should guide the decision.

If you prefer a quieter experience, it is completely acceptable to attend with only the people who are necessary.

Prepare the Night Before

The evening before your session, place everything together and complete one final check.

• Charge your phone

• Check your travel time and meeting location

• Place outfits and accessories together

• Pack your essentials kit

• Confirm that special items and props are ready

• Get plenty of rest

• Drink water and stay hydrated

Avoid dramatic haircuts, unfamiliar skincare treatments, or last-minute changes immediately before the session. This is the time to rely on choices that already make you feel comfortable and confident.

Explore the Behind the Lens Images Senior Portfolio →

Serving Southern Nevada and California since 2009, with travel available for select sessions throughout Arizona and Utah.