As junior year winds down, you turn your sights to what comes next. And that means senior year and all it’s awesomeness…last first day of school, senior night at sports, homecoming, graduation, and senior pictures.
I can’t help much with all the rest, but I do have the answers when it comes to senior pictures, including: why you should take senior portraits, when to book, posing, and more!
Consider me your trusty guide on your journey through the senior portrait adventure. The Obi Wan to your Luke Skywalker. The Dumbledore to your Harry Potter. The Merlin to your King Arthur.
Except those are all really, really old dudes with beards. I’m just a mid-40s mom who loves flip-flops and border collies. But I absolutely can, and will, help you with all the things when it comes to senior pictures.
Why you should book senior portraits (Or do I need to take senior pictures?)
The answer here is no. You don’t NEED senior photos. You need love, support, food, a safe space to come home to, and maybe your phone.
Senior photos are, in fact, a luxury. And while it might feel a little bougie to have them taken, I think they are a wonderful keepsake for you, your parents, and even your future self, to have down the road.
Why?
As a mom or dad, having tangible, visual memories of this moment between childhood and adulthood is important. They want to share you and your accomplishments with the world. They want one last picture of you to hang on walls and send to grandparents and share with the world.
As an adult, your senior year is the point in time that you use relative to all other things. This is the time you look back on with your own family and friends in twenty years. Having these photos to share and reminisce over is just plain fun.
And these are likely the last formal portraits you’ll have taken between now and when you get married or land a job that forces you to take a headshot.
So why not have photos taken by a professional so that you look and feel great?
If you’re going to have senior pictures taken, it only makes sense to work with a professional photographer who:
- Shoots photos that honor your personality
- Knows how to pose you to flatter your body type
- Knows how to photograph seniors
- Can bring your creative vision to life
- Provides digital images and printed products that will stand the test of time
So go ahead and plan on getting senior pictures taken. I haven’t met anyone that regrets actually having senior pictures taken, but plenty that regret NOT doing them.
When to book senior portraits
As soon as you know you want to be a Dirt Road Wife Photography senior, reach out to me and inquire about availability and get on my calendar. I book out about 6-8 weeks in advance for spring, summer, and winter. My best fall dates (weekends end-of-September to mid-October) are often locked up by the beginning of July.
It might feel like it’s really far away, but schedules fill up quickly. It’s easier to plan around pictures than it is to find a free date for both of us at the last minute. Not only does my calendar fill up with clients, but both you and I have families and activities we want to enjoy!
When should you take senior portraits?
Each season offers its own style and advantages when it comes to pictures. You can take senior pictures any time of year. I suggest choosing a season that works with your schedule and meets the goals of your photos.
Keep your yearbook photo deadline in mind. If your school has an October yearbook photo deadline, plan to take pictures at least a month ahead of time. Your photographer will need time to edit your photos and you’ll want a little wiggle room in case you have to postpone for some reason.
Summer senior pictures
Summer offers more flexibility in terms of time and weather. Since you aren’t in school and the sun doesn’t set until 8 or 8:30 p.m., we have lots of long days to work with. It’s easier to find open nights to shoot on the football field, in the school gym, etc.
In Goshen County, our days are usually hot, followed by late afternoon thunderstorms. I schedule outdoor sessions about 2 hours before sunset so we aren’t as hot and to take advantage of those gorgeous, glowy Wyoming sunsets.
Summer is the perfect season for senior pictures with flowers, crops, livestock or horses. It’s also a fantastic time to shoot at high elevations that might be inaccessible after the snow flies. If you play sports and know your skin tends to break out during the season, summer can be a great alternative.
In terms of how the photos look, summer senior pictures shot in nature typically have more greens and a bold, earthy feel to them. Images are ever so slightly cooler because of the foliage.
When it comes to wardrobe, primary colors, pastels, and jewel tones look fantastic against that backdrop, as well as slightly cooler neutrals like whites, gray, and black.
Fall senior pictures
Fall is by far one of the most popular times to take senior pictures. And why not? Gorgeous fall leaves, cooler nights, and fewer bugs. Win!
As I mentioned above, fall dates go quickly. Not only are seniors trying to take photos, but families and couples also want pictures in the fall.
If you have your heart set on senior pictures in the prime of fall color, book as soon as you possibly can. Don’t expect to call on Monday to get pictures taken in the leaves the next Friday in the middle of the fall. It’s just not going to happen. The best, most in-demand photographers sell out those dates weeks to months ahead of time.
Fall color in Goshen County usually hits around the end of September and lasts about two weeks. But it’s unpredictable. The weather might trip the leaves early, or a hard frost might kill the leaves on the trees and we go from green to brown overnight. Recognize that your photographer has no control over this, and have a backup plan, just in case!
Winter senior pictures
Winter is the least busy time of year for most natural light photographers. The days are short, the temperatures are cold and most people aren’t in the mood to mess with pictures.
But don’t let that stop you from scheduling senior pictures! In Goshen County, we’ll have beautiful days where it’s 50 degrees even in December and January.
If you can be flexible around the weather, winter is definitely an option! And if you time it right for days when it’s snowing or there’s snow on the ground…swoon!
Winter scenes are perfect for lots of layers. Think jackets, sweaters, fuzzy scarves and beautiful leather boots. It’s not the time you want to take pictures in your track uniform. But your letterman’s jacket? Perfect!
Indoor portraits, such as volleyball, basketball, or theatre, are easily accomplished in winter or spring.
Spring senior pictures
If you missed your yearbook deadline but decide you really do want senior portraits, spring is a great time! Just about anything goes in spring, weather permitting!
Very few families take pictures in the spring, and there aren’t many weddings happening from February to May. Your favorite photographer might have more open dates!
Don’t forget about indoor locations. School gyms, coffee shops, libraries, your dance studio, and even empty warehouses are great locations. Use your imagination and brainstorm with your photographer for some off-the-wall ideas!
Tip #1 – Schedule around announcements
If you want pictures for graduation announcements, plan to take pictures about six weeks before you want people to receive them. Your photographer will need time to edit the photos You (or maybe your mom!) will need time to design, receive, and mail out the announcements.
Yearbook Deadlines
Contact your high school’s yearbook advisor for your yearbook deadline. She can tell you the general time frame, even if she doesn’t have a specific date set yet.
You’ll also want to know what types of photos are suitable for the yearbook. In Goshen County, students are allowed to select their own yearbook photo. In other parts of the country, you may be required to use a tux or drape, or meet a certain dress code.
Local yearbook advisors
| School | Yearbook Advisor | Deadline |
| Torrington High School | Kim Snyder | mid-October |
| Southeast High School | Brian McGuire | TBD |
| Lingle-Fort Laramie High School | Emily Cottrell | TBD |
Tip #2 – Let me know about yearbook requirements
Pass along any specifics to me when it comes to the size or crop of image required by your school. I can help make sure you have the right file to send them and work with your yearbook advisor on any issues!
Taking senior pictures on vacation
One new trend I see is to take senior pictures while you and your family are vacationing somewhere. It’s a chance to have senior pictures that are unique to you and your experiences and shoot somewhere a little more exotic than Goshen County or Wyoming.
Give yourself time to scout photographers and find one that matches your budget and style. Know what outfits you will use and take those on your trip. Don’t decide to find a photographer or outfits at the last minute!
Tip #3 – Ask me for recommendations
Don’t be afraid to ask me for some recommendations! I have a vast network of photographer friends and colleagues all across the country. I might be able to give you some names of photographers I know personally or connect you with recommendations from those friends.
Tip #4 – Know your own boundaries
Just a word of advice…if you aren’t someone who handles the unknown very well, a senior portrait session in a new place with a new photographer might be an uncomfortable situation. If you aren’t comfortable with where you’re taking pictures, what you’re wearing, or the photographer, it’s not going to be a great experience. Know your own boundaries!
Senior style tips
Choosing clothes for your senior pictures shouldn’t stress you out! Remember, these pictures are supposed to be representative of who you are and serve as a memory of this moment in time. So stick with your personality and wardrobe! If you’re a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy, that can absolutely be one of your “looks.” If you like to get dressed up and be a touch glamorous and dramatic…pick an outfit that’s a little extra.
The key is to choose outfits that make you feel your best. Confident. Beautiful. Powerful. Strong.
Tip #5 – Plan one change of clothes for every 30 minutes of session time
If you have a 2-hour session, come with around 3-5 outfits, or “looks.” This gives you options and variety in your images. We might not get to every outfit, depending on how the session flows, but we’ll have options available!
Tip #6 – When in doubt, start with these three outfit types – everyday, dressy, personality
An everyday outfit is something that you’d wear everyday…to school, to a movie with friends, to go to a concert in the summer. It’s your normal go-to, just a bit more put-together.
A dress(ier) outfit is something that has a bit more sparkle or polish to it. I equate this to what you might wear to a wedding, church, scholarship banquet, or when you have to dress up on game day. My generation calls it “business casual.”
A personality outfit is something that is unique to you and showcases your personality. It might be a sports jersey, your FFA jacket/official dress, a sweatshirt you wear ALL THE TIME, your favorite show shirt and buckle, your show choir robe, or an obnoxious hat your mom hates but you love…you get the idea. You can also use this outfit to try something a little out of the norm, such as a big fluffy ball gown and your softball cleats, a killer sundress and floppy hat, or a suit.
Tip #6 – Avoid spray tans or tanning lotions
Artificial tans tend to look orange when photographed. If you want to add a little color, do it lightly and test it several weeks before your session to see how your skin reacts. And don’t try to fix tan lines with artificial tanner. Trust me on this.
Tip #7 – If you wear glasses (or at least most of the time), wear them during your senior photos
I hate, Hate, HATE when photographers tell you not to wear your glasses or to get frames without glasses in them.
Your glasses aren’t something to be ashamed. Any good photographer who has any sort of skill knows how to work around them. Yes, I said it.
Glasses will pick up reflections in some situations, either from studio lights or just things in the natural environment. When I photograph a client with glasses, I have to be a little bit more deliberate about how I pose you or how I stand to capture your images. I might also have you take them off for an image here and there so I have a reference photo to use for editing.
But you can wear them!
The only exception to that is tinted lenses or transition lenses. If your lenses are heavily tinted, I can lighten them up some in your photos, but not enough for them to look clear. In that instance, tell me ahead of time and we can discuss strategies!
Dealing with acne in senior pictures
If your skin is prone to breakouts and that leaves you feeling frustrated and self-conscious in pictures, you have my empathy. I sincerely remember those days wondering why my face seemed to hate me so. It really is awful feeling like you aren’t at your best.
But please, please, please don’t let that stop you from having senior portraits taken!
Acne is just temporary, and we’ll treat it as such. Please don’t be embarrassed to discuss some options with me! I offer editing/retouching on all my senior portrait packages, and I promise we can come up with a solution so that you’re proud of your final images.
Tip #8 – Plan your session for when your complexion is the calmest
You know your skin and when you look and feel your best. If your football helmet or wrestling headgear make you breakout on the regular, plan to take your senior session before or after your sports session. Ditto for other times of the year or month when your acne flares up. Just schedule around it!
Senior pictures and braces
Braces fall under the same category as acne…they’re temporary (although it might not feel that way).
If you don’t want your braces making an appearance in senior portraits, we have a two options: wait until you have them removed, or take your photos and edit them out. Easy as that. There’s an additional fee for braces removal, but it can be done and it looks flawless.
Another common solution is to shoot a short session before your yearbook deadline and edit your braces out of those photos so you have a yearbook photo or image to use for scholarships, etc. Then schedule your full-session for after the braces come up. I have a special package for this – talk to me when booking!
Senior portrait location ideas
Goshen County has some beautiful outdoor locations for senior pictures! Here are a few of my favorite public locations in and near Goshen County!
Outdoor portrait locations
- Rawhide Wildlife Habitat Management Unit
- Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Unit
- Fort Laramie National Historic Site (includes the Fort, nature trail, and iron bridge)
- Downtown Torrington, Lingle, or Yoder
- Pioneer Park North Platte River Access
- Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Unit
- Cottonwood Golf Course
- Old Power Plant in Lingle
- Table Mountain Vineyards & Winery
- St. Rose Flower Gardens
- Goshen County Fairgrounds
- Torrington High School
- Southeast High School
- Lingle-Fort Laramie High School
- Guernsey State Park
- Glendo State Park
- Morrill Sand Pits
For more locations and information, see my guide to the Best Portrait Locations in Goshen County!
Tip #9 – Use a location you love
Don’t be afraid to scout and suggest your own location! Your family’s farm, ranch, or home may be an ideal location. Ask to shoot at a friend’s home. Think about lesser-known, out-of-the-way spots where you like to spend your time. If you feel a connection to a location or just think it’s pretty, ask the owners about taking photos there!
Indoor senior portrait locations in Goshen County
Let’s face it…Goshen County isn’t a mecca of cool art-deco buildings or upscale hotels that would make for a cool background. Indoor picture locations in this area can be a little harder to come by. But here are a few ideas to get you started.
- 21st and Main building and coffee shop
- Goshen County Fairgrounds – Rendezvous Center
- Goshen County Courthouse
- Fort Laramie Community Center
- Torrington Cinemas
- Goshen County Public Library
- Great Gardens or
- Heritage Square in LaGrange
- Homesteaders Museum
- Your favorite store or hangout (just get permission first!
Tip #10 – We can rent studio space
Sometimes, all we need for beautiful portraits is a warm space and some room to work. If you want a studio-style background, I have several locations we can rent indoors and set up a private portrait studio.
Tip #11 – Secure access ahead of time
It will usually be your responsibility to get permission and access to a private location. Once you decide that’s the location you’d like, get permission to shoot there from the landowner. After we set a date for your session, confirm the date and time with the landowner or manager. Don’t wait until the last minute!
Senior pictures with a friend
You are absolutely allowed to bring a friend to your senior pictures! Having a parent, and especially a friend on hand helps you feel more relaxed and confident. Your friend can also help me elicit more natural reactions from you and be your hype-girl.
If you’d like to take it one step further and have some pictures of the two of you taken together, that’s allowed, too! Just make sure your BFF comes prepared and that you let me know ahead of time so we can plan our time together according.
