What to Wear
Are you looking for the best senior photos in Grand Junction? It all starts with a good outfit.
Whether I take your Senior Photos or someone else does, your wardrobe matters.
Here are a few tips I share to help my clients to look their best on photo day…
DIVERSIFY WITH THREE CATEGORIES:
Something Natural
You can't go wrong with jeans and a nice top. Think casual, but avoid any big, distracting patterns, logos & text on clothing.
Something Fancy
Dress like date night! Or try a cool mid-length dress or romper. Pair with cool jewelry/watch, etc… Button downs are great for the dudes.
Something Unique
Rock your unique style. 80's band tees, Star Wars tees, leather jackets, flannel... Find something fun & pre-loved on Depop — Change it up!
TOP 12 PRO TIPS:
Do not bring wrinkled, or brand new/folded clothes to your session. PLEASE make sure it's ironed, on a hanger looking fresh. I cannot retouch wrinkled clothing.
If there are areas that you are uncomfortable with, don’t bring clothes that draw attention to those areas. If you don’t ‘love’ your arms right now, avoid strapless/sleeveless items.
I cannot fix tan lines in your images. If you don’t want your tan lines to show, choose something that covers them.
Giant comfy sweaters/cardigans are cute, but they'll make you look HUGE on camera. Just a heads up! Consider the way you look sitting, kneeling, from a side view, etc — I’ll be posing you into those positions.
Grandma’s gonna hate your jeans with holes. And straps showing.
Solid colors and SIMPLE patterns look great. Denim, maroon, blue, and white/ivory just about always look awesome. Choose colors that look good against your skin tone, or bring out the color of your eyes! Keep patterns simple.
Short skirts and short rompers really limit our posing options. If you want to rock a skirt or romper, pick one that’s slightly longer. And pick something else for your other outfit.
I'm not a huge fan of photographing dark or black tops, especially in greenery/fall colors. You'll blend in!
If you choose black/dark clothing, bring a lint roller. Get one at the dollar store. This is especially important for letter jackets and new black jeans. I’m not here to edit pet hair or excessive lint from your clothing.
If we're shooting in a nature area, please do not wear heels or expensive clothing. You'll regret it. 100% chance you'll get muddy, covered in pollen from flowers, or stink like bug spray.
Consider extra add-ons like a floppy hat, rad sunglasses/glasses, unique jewelry, matching scarf, etc.
Nails won’t show too much in your portraits. Don’t make them a massive priority. If you care deeply about your nails, let me know before your session and we’ll make sure and get a few shots!
Used with permission :) This top drove us crazy the entire shoot!
Avoid tops like this
If it's loose & strapless, or will blow around/flip up weird in the wind, or if it falls off your shoulders with any movement, it's gonna drive us crazy while shooting. If you want to rock something like this, wear it for an entire day as a "test run" before your session to make sure it'll work.
Also, planning to hide straps with your hair does not work.
Need help? DM me on Insta and I’ll be glad to help you out :)
face & Makeup
FACE:
Wash your face twice a day, drink lots of water, and eat clean in the weeks leading up to your session.
If you struggle with acne, many of my seniors have had success avoiding dairy products in the weeks before their session day.
If you break out right before your session: It’s a lot easier for me to retouch a tiny spot than a big glob of cover up. Don’t stress :)
Do everything you can to get lots of sleep in the week before your session. (Don't work the late shift!) Tired eyes show on camera.
Crest WhiteStrips are a little spendy, but work very well. Many of my seniors whiten their teeth for a week before their photo session.
I do not remove braces or retainers. Please schedule your session accordingly.
I HIGHLY recommend booking a makeup session at Ulta or Sephora etc in the afternoon before your session. Professional makeup is absolutely worth it, especially if you're less confident in your makeup skills.
Book that makeup appointment at least a week in advance -- they fill up!
EYEBROWS:
Waxed about a week before your session - (but ofc do not wax the day of or the day before… Ew!)
HAIR:
Have your hair completely ready (cut & color etc) one week before your session.
Do a “practice” day if you need to. I can’t Photoshop out a bad hair day!
Consider how weather/humidity affects your hair, and make decisions accordingly.
Bring a friend to your session to watch your hairgame if you need to.
Please wash your hair in appropriate time before your session. Greasy hair shows on camera.
Bring a brush!
MAKEUP:
Grandma wants to see your eyes in your photos, so emphasis on the eyes is important. I always suggest waterproof (aka sweat-proof) mascara, especially in the Summer. Treat yourself to a brand new tube to avoid the clumpy-clumps.
Cut down any shine and set with a translucent matte powder.
Please please please do not spray tan at home. It looks super weird on camera and I can’t fix it in editing.
Skip the perfume, the mosquitoes will eat us alive.
6 Tips for the Guys:
Zits are a pain. Eat clean, drink lots of water, and wash your face. Many of my clients have had success with cutting dairy products from their diet to reduce acne. Actuate can be a great long term plan, but is never a good week-before-senior-photos plan.
Stop by the barbershop the day before your session and show up looking fresh.
You couldn’t pay me enough to edit your high schooler peach fuzz. Please get a good shave in before your session.
Wash, Dry, Iron, and hang your clothes on a hanger before your session. Do not just throw them in the back seat of your car. Dudes do this all the time. Brand new dress shirts pinned up in the packaging need to be washed and ironed. (yes, it’s happened before!)
I do not edit out wrinkled clothing, stains, or pet hair.
Chapped lips look super gross on camera. Pick some Chap Stick up for $1, and get on it in the weeks before your session.
…MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Be yourself. Don‘t stress. Whatever you choose, you’ll crush it. And I’m here to help you every step of the way.
👋 Hi, I’m jer.
I’m based in Grand Junction, Colorado, and I’m obsessed with making people look amazing on camera.
Everybody knows it… the Senior Photo industry is too boring. Cheesy poses, weird props, fake smiles… It’s terrible. But it doesn’t have to be. And I’m doing everything I can to prove it.
You deserve pictures you and your friends will love. Your senior year will be gone before you know it, and is far too important to not be capturing.
Get signed up today and we’ll co-lab on stunning Senior portraits you’ll never forget 🤩
Are you looking for Senior Pictures?
It’s kinda what I do. 😏 Click below to learn more:
Jeremy Poland LLC will not be held responsible for any items lost, broken, or stolen during your session.
