senior
SESSION PREP

welcome!

hey there!

hey there!

I am so excited that you have chosen me as your senior photographer!  This is such an exciting time in your life, and we are so glad to be part of documenting this season.  We  can’t WAIT to get started and give you a memorable experience and photos you will love!

Everything you need to know to prepare for your senior session can be found on this webpage, your client hub.  It’s full of tips and suggestions that will help you choose outfits, how to make sure you have perfect skin and nails that are portrait ready, and so much more.  There’s a few downloads and printable too!  Make sure you read all the way through – there’s lots here!

choosing outfits
field senior photos
Let the planning begin

Choosing your outfits is where the fun begins!   But it can also be tricky.  The most helpful thing you can do is create your own Pinterest board with all of your favorite inspiration pieces. The more you pin, the better!  

WHAT to PIN

WE WILL BE REFERRING BACK TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS TO ENSURE IT MATCHES EXACTLY WHAT YOU’VE DREAMED OF.
  • favorite fashion items
  • hair styles
  • makeup looks
  • poses you like
  • colors you love
  • accessories that interest you
  • locations you like
  • other types of photography you love

what to wear

What you choose to wear for your senior photos helps communicate so much about you and your personality.  Please use the following information, downloads, and links to help prepare and plan out your clothing and wardrobe options!

The first and most important thing you can do now is take a piece of paper, and write down 3-5 words that you want your photos (and wardrobe) to communicate about you.  A few words to get you started might be “confident,” “bright,” “happy,” “smart,” “chill,” “adventurous,” “fierce,” “thoughtful,” “courageous.”  Whatever those words are, go back to them when you’re thinking about your outfits and they will help keep you on track.

How you present yourself during your photos is communicated through your wardrobe!  So once you decide what you want your photos to say about you, read the following guide and find out how to make that happen!

download the what to wear guide

Senior Style Survey

It’s time to take your session planning to the next level!  Once you have a better idea of the look you want for your session, it’s time to fill out your session questionnaire.  

You’ll receive a link to your questionnaire about 3 weeks prior to your session – make sure you check your inbox!  But you can also access everything in our client portal.

take me to the survey

top 10 tips

for picture peffect

face & hair

Our favorite tips and tricks to help you prepare for professional hair & makeup.

download the guide

nail prep

GUIDE

click here to view
the top 4 most photogenic

nail colors

these colors never fail & always look good!
yummy mummy
BUTTER LONDON
buble bath
OPI
TICKLE ME FRANCE-Y
OPI
all hail the queen
BUTTER LONDON

SESSION PREP TIMELINE

2

weeks prior

  • Finish planning outfits and complete your session survey
  • Do a test run for spray tanning if you want a nice glow
  • Use lotion on your skin to keep from drying out and start babying your skin on your face
  • Final hair cut & color

1

week prior

  • Finish with spray-tanning and avoid getting sunburnt!
  • Use lotion on your skin to keep from drying out
  • Hair trim & color or update extensions
  • Use gentle cleansers on your face & drink plenty of water

3-5

days prior

  • Clean up eyebrows with waxing, tweezing, or threading
  • Get your wedding ring cleaned
  • Drink lots of water!
  • Iron and steam all outfits so there are no wrinkles, and put them on hangers – this is our BIGGEST TIP that many skip but makes a world of difference!

1

day prior

  • Manicure & pedicure so it doesn’t smudge or chip
  • Go through your packing list – don’t forget accessories, hats, shoes, jewelry, socks, and undergarments. Props & extras too!
  • Drink lots of water! Get a good nights sleep.

Session Day Details

  • Arrive with clean face and remove all traces of makeup the night before with a gentle cleanser.  Have clean dry hair.
  • If you’re having your hair & make-up done, please wear a button up shirt that’s easy to change once your style session is complete
  • Bring outfits on hangers to avoid wrinkles
  • Wear comfortable easy-on-easy-off shoes like flip flops or sandals for walking from your car to shoot locations – no need to wear your fancy shoes the entire time!

Packing List

  • Bring snacks and a bottle of water – you’ll be glad you did!
  • The most forgotten item we see is proper undergarments – we HIGHLY recommend wearing a nude strapless bra because it will go under anything and you don’t have to worry about straps
  • Prep hair extensions appropriately
  • Arrive with a clean face using your regular moisturizer.  If you like the way you do your hair normally, feel free to arrive with hair done, but we can take care of it for you if you want!
  • Don’t forget things like your letter jacket, props for sports photos, and SOCKS! We have a lot of seniors forget the simple things
  • For summer sessions: bring mosquito spray. You can thank me later!

THINGS NOT TO BRING

There’s lots of things to remember on the day of your photoshoot, but we hope you’ll also keep these things in mind so that your shoot goes well!

  • Clothing that is overly revealing, dirty, or wrinkled. Think carefully about your wardrobe choices and come prepared
  • Your boyfriend / girlfriend. You might think this is a good idea, but we really don’t recommend it. If you do choose to have a sibling or friend come, make sure they are prepared to be an encouraging presence and willing helper. If they’re just going to chit chat or be on their phone, they can skip out.
  • Bad shoes. Take the time to choose shoes that go with your outfits. Sometimes it makes a huge difference!

What about RAIN?

Not many people dream of rain for the senior portraits, but it can actually be fun and unique!  We’ve photographed many sessions in some drizzle or rain and everything has turned out great!  You also have the added benefit of our indoor loft studio space, plus an abundance of locations that are outdoors, yet covered.

If there is forecast for heavy rain or lightening, or excessive wind, we will contact you over the phone 3 hours before you are scheduled to arrive for your session.  Please know that we cannot guarantee reschedules in the case of bad weather, but we will try our best. With Iowa weather as unpredictable as it can be, it’s just not possible to reschedule every time there is a sprinkle or rainstorm.

We will NOT photograph sessions if there is lighting or any kind of tornado warning or watch, however if it’s raining…we might. So be prepared either way. All rescheduling decisions are made by the studio.

a final word

As a photographer, I want the best for you.  At the risk of sounding very motherly, I’m going to state what might sound like the obvious: please use your common sense leading up to your session and DO NOT do the following things like:

  • Show up to your photo shoot sun burnt from a recent day at the lake, soccer practice, or last minute tanning bed session. It will show in your photos and we do charge additional retouching fees to fix sunburns and tan lines.
  • Show up with wrinkled outfits. Again, this is avoidable, and we charge additional fees to correct in photoshop.

  • Forget to plan ahead for access to specific locations you have in mind. If you need to get into your school to use a space, or need your team jersey out-of-season, it is up to YOU to make these arrangements in advance. Please do NOT wait until your session date to call or text people last minute.

Be intentional and plan ahead, and you should find yourself in a wonderful position for some epic images!

the studio

The Jennifer Weinman Photography studio is located at 917 Broad Street, Grinnell, IA, 50112.  We are in suite Z, which is upstairs and at the end of the hall – you’ll see a sign on both the main entry and upstairs.  There is free street parking right out front along Broad Street.  

Jennifer Weinman Photography
917 Broad Street, Suite Z
Grinnell, IA 50112
*please note that studio is by appointment only

641-260-0538 
info@jenniferweinmanphotography.com