A Parent's Guide on How to Prepare for Your Senior's Upcoming Senior Portraits

The truth is, today’s senior portraits look very different from the ones we grew up with. Back then, sessions were often formal, posed, and fairly standard. Now, senior portraits are designed to be much more personal and expressive, using unique locations, outfits, and even props to highlight each senior’s personality, interests, and style. This parent’s guide will walk you through a few simple tips to help you and your teen prepare for this milestone, making the experience smooth, enjoyable, and memorable.

1. Plan Ahead

Senior portrait sessions require a little preparation. Start by researching photographers and booking your session early. Involve your senior in the process—photographers each have their own style and editing “look,” and you’ll want to find one that matches both your vision and your teen’s.

Keep in mind that popular photographers often book up quickly, especially during peak seasons (think spring). If you haven’t already started searching, now is the perfect time to begin.

2. Know Your Needs

If you are looking to use your images for your invitations or announcements, you need to have your portraits scheduled ASAP. Keep in mind that it usually takes 3-4 weeks, depending on how busy your photographer is, to get your images back. So, be sure you book your session in plenty of time to avoid any last-minute stress and ensure you get your images back in time for things like announcements and invitations.

3. Include Your Teen in the Process

This session is about capturing who your teen is right now, at this one-time stage of life. Talk with them about their ideas and style preferences, and listen to what they envision. While you’ll definitely want some timeless shots, try to compromise and let them show their individuality. Their interests, talents, and personality are all part of their story—and you’ll treasure those authentic details when you look back at the photos years from now.

4. Be Their Biggest Cheerleader!

On the day of the shoot, your role is to encourage, support, and help your teen feel at ease. Avoid last-minute disagreements about outfits or poses, and focus on keeping things positive. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed they’ll be—and that confidence always shines through in the photos.

Remember, every teen is different, and the goal is not to make them look like everyone else. Instead, it’s about capturing a snapshot of their unique personality at this exciting stage of life.

5. Girls vs. Guys

Girls often love the preparation that comes with senior portraits. Choosing outfits, planning hairstyles, and imagining creative shots can feel exciting and fun for them—it’s another way to express themselves during senior year.

Guys, on the other hand, may not share the same enthusiasm. Many of them worry about feeling awkward in front of the camera or simply aren’t excited about the prep work. And that’s perfectly okay! My job is to make sure they feel comfortable, and most guys are pleasantly surprised by how easy—and even fun—the session turns out to be.

No matter their approach, the end goal is the same: creating memorable images that reflect who they are and celebrating all they’ve achieved. They’ve worked hard to reach this point, and that deserves to be celebrated!

A Little Extra for the Parents...

One of my favorite parts of each session is taking a few shots of parents with their senior. You’ve been alongside them every step of the way, and these photos are such a meaningful way to capture that bond. Trust me—you’ll be glad to have these memories for years to come.

I hope this guide helps you feel more prepared and excited for your teen’s senior portrait session. Senior year can feel like it passes in the blink of an eye. Between classes, activities, and college planning, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Taking the time to pause and capture these portraits allows you to celebrate your teen and this incredible milestone.

Whenever you are ready to schedule your senior portraits, please feel free to shoot me an email at april@aprilgraysonphotography.com or fill out my contact form HERE, and we will get you on your way to some beautiful senior portraits!!!

April