What Every Parent Needs to Know Before Their Child’s Senior Photo Session

Your child’s senior photo session is one of the many activities you will be involved in during their final year in high school. In most instances, seniors schedule their sessions during the summer right before their senior year. However, this is not a hard and fast rule.

If this is the first professional photo session you’re arranging, the below tips will help you feel more at ease.

Following the session, you will receive a series of digital files that you can share and print as you see fit. I can assist you with professional prints too if you would prefer to have assistance or have special prints in mind.

When Is the Best Time to Book My Senior Photo Session?

There is no one answer to when you should book your senior photo session – there are several variables to take into consideration. 

Availability

To ensure you find a time that works for you, start by looking at your availability. You never realize just how little time you have until you try and work a photoshoot into a busy senior year. Before you know it, it’s a month before you graduate, and you don’t have a date for your session yet. For example, many extra-curricular activities take place in the fall, leaving very little time for a senior photo session. If you are more involved in sports such as softball, spring is a difficult season to plan around. 

The main goal is to not be stressed before or on the day of your senior session – it will show in your photos. On the day of your shoot, you want to be relaxed and enjoy every second. 

The Theme

Most likely you already have some idea of the types of photos you want to take to commemorate your senior year. Outfits play an integral role in the overall style of your shoot. If you want to wear a beautiful boho outfit for your senior session, shooting in winter isn’t quite going to work. Get a clear idea of the style you would prefer before you choose a date for your photo session.

The Location

Your location will also fit in with the theme of your shoot. However, not all locations and settings look good at certain times of the year. Want an urban shoot? This works at almost any time of the year. Prefer to take photos at a local park? Spring and fall create the best backdrops. 

There really is no right or wrong time to schedule your shoot, you just need to plan for it. The minute you have an idea of what your senior schedule will look like, start selecting a few dates – you won’t be sorry.

The Basics of Planning a Graduation Party You Will Remember Forever

Hey there Class of 2021!! Most of you may be a few weeks away from your graduation party, but if you are still in the planning stage. I listed a few elements you need to focus on and may want to start thinking about! To the Class of 2022 it’s never too early to start party planning so take note!!!

The Guest List

Deciding who you want to invite will help you determine whether you need a venue, entertainment, and a caterer. Do you just want it to be family or friends and family? How many people do you plan to invite? Will it be a grand party or something more intimate? 

Set a Budget

Sit down with your parents and work out a budget for the party. Start by listing what is most important to you and allocating budget towards that first. Whatever is leftover can be used to pay for small extras. 

Search for Venues

Many seniors choose to have their parties right at home. If you would prefer to hire a venue, start searching for something in your area that fits in with your theme and your budget. Once you have a shortlist, find out about venue hire fees and whether you have to purchase food and drinks directly from them. Being able to supply your own food and drinks always works out much cheaper.

Decide on the Food

Food that’s easy to make and eat is a popular choice for graduation parties, unless you prefer to have a more formal sit-down meal. If you are having a party at home, opt for food you can prepare the day before. The other option is to have a caterer take care of the food for you. In fact, many restaurants are catering parties now too. If you have some additional budget, you could even consider a food truck. 

Plan Your Décor & Entertainment

This is one of the best parts of planning a graduation party. Once you decide on a theme, create a Pinterest board and start collecting ideas. There is so much you can create right at home without spending a fortune. Whatever theme you decide on, have fun with it and make it your own. Start collecting photos from your childhood and fun memories of growing up. Start making albums and gathering ideas for how you want to display your senior photos!! In terms of entertainment, a good playlist is all you really need. However, if you want to go big, you could hire a local band or DJ, or set up a games area. Since you will be sharing this celebration with the people you love the most, ask your senior photographer about a photo session options too. Why not document this party that is all about you!!

Remember, this is your graduation party, which means you don’t need to do what everyone else is doing. Celebrate in style, your way!

Class of 2020

What a great group of seniors I had the privilege of photographing this past year!! Looking back I just love how each one has their own style, personality, and charm. Each session brings back some good laughs and fun memories!! I want to thank each of my seniors and their families for choosing me to photograph them at such an exciting time! I wish you all a great finish to your Senior Year and best of luck in your future endeavors!!! I want you all to know that life will be challenging and will throw you many curve balls.  Just always remember who you are, what you stand for, and stay true to YOU and you will do amazing things!!!

Trust me...I am asked all of the time why I "do photography when you already have a job as a nurse anesthetist?" I understand the confusion and then again I feel like I shouldn't have to explain myself at the same time. But here it goes...It's kind of like asking a mom/dad why they work when they should be home raising their kids or asking someone who works during the day why they play in a band at night or teach golf on the weekends. It's ok to have a profession that you love and to also have a passion for something other than your career. Sometimes what you do isn't other peoples business nor should you ever let it affect the way you feel. You should not feel guilty or not good enough to be doing what you love. Some people have many passions and can juggle more than what some would think is possible. This life is too short to not explore your hidden talents, passions and little wonders. As long as you can maintain your sanity, who is to say you are taking on too much??  Don't ever let anyone take your passion away from you or make you feel as though you can't do more!! For me it has taken 43 years to figure this out. The sky is the limit seniors...GO FOR IT!!!!! 

Thank you all again for choosing me to photograph you at such an exciting time! I wish you all a great finish to your Senior Year and best of luck in your future endeavors!!! 

XOXO, 

Alissa

THIS IS MEREDITH....Sidney High School, Class of 2020

WOW....This beautiful young lady said she has never modeled in the past but I'm not sure I believe her!!! Meredith is just as sweet as she looks and we had the best time shooting her "Hometown" senior session her in Sidney, Ohio. We started in the court square at our beautiful courthouse in her cap and gown, then we made our way over to The Spot for some fun, colorful photos at the iconic restaurant. We then ventured over to Peoples Federal Bank, a national historical bank that Meredith's grandfather worked at for years. We then went to Shelby Hills for a few shots before heading to their beautiful farmhouse for some photos in front of their home. Meredith's mom was along for the shoot and was so much fun to chat with, she also was really great at posing ideas for Mer!! I could just tell from this session that Meredith and her family are very close and that they are really going to miss her next year when she heads off to The University of Arizona!!!! I have a feeling that they will be visiting often Meredith!! Good Luck and have fun!!!! XOXO, Alissa

THIS IS OLIVIA...Lehman Catholic High School, Class of 2020

Olivia is one easy going young lady!! She is not only down to earth, calm, composed and sweet, she is really funny and can whip a 1500 pound steer around like it's nothing. I was quite amazed during this session at the beauty of the connection between Olivia and her cow, Toby. I had never done anything like this before and was super excited to get in the rink and shoot away. Olivia and Toby were a week away from the Shelby County Fair and this was their chance to get photos together. They did end up winning 1st place :) 

I will never forget this session and I captured some of my all time favorite photos ever this night!! 

XOXO

THIS IS RYAN...Anna High School Class of 2020

Ryan is one handsome young man who defiantly has his stuff together. He's already a successful business owner and is ready to take on the world. I'm pretty sure that his parents are beyond proud of him and he will go far after high school!! Ryan asked if he could bring his truck to his session and I know like most guys and their trucks, this was his baby!! We had so much fun with his session and I think by the end Ryan was comfortable in front of the camera and probably a little hungry!! Ryan, thank you for a fun session and for letting your mom and I boss you around for a few hours!!! 

THIS IS BLAKE...Anna High School Class of 2020

Blake's session was so relaxed and fun!! He is my niece's boyfriend and she actually came along to make sure that he didn't give me a hard time :) Blake was a little nervous but he warmed right up after 5 minutes, I actually think he was enjoying the session more than I thought he would!! YAY!! Blake has the most gorgeous eyes as you can see!! Reese hopped in to liven up a few photos because, well...because she's gorgeous!! This session was a little challenge for me since Blake is 6'2" and Reese is about 6' but we managed. We were all over Sidney and in some hidden places I didn't even know about!! Thanks Blake and Reese for a fun night!! Love you both!!!

THIS IS MATTHEW...Lehman High School Class of 2020

Matthew's session was most chill...pink sunglasses, soccer jersey, cute girlfriend, alleys and rooftops. This young man was up for anything and I was just loving his laid back personality. I'm sure this attitude comes from having two sisters and from traveling the world with his family to countries that I can only dream of visiting. Matthew is definitely an explorer and made me nervous when he said he wanted to climb on a rooftop, it was fun but we both decided that we like our feet on the ground!! 

THIS IS BRANDYN...Lehman Catholic High School Class of 2020

Brandyn's session started out at Lehman's baseball field where we got some amazing shots of him in the dugout and on the field. I just love how the colors turned out and how Brandyn was in his element. We then went to the family business where dad was waiting with the HUGE crane!! No idea how I was going to shoot this but I went with it because dad was super excited, and when Randy gets an idea, you go with it!! haha!! It turned out to be super cool and the stock yard area was fun to shoot in. We then went his grandparents farm for a few barn, riffle and tractor shots, and then to Canal Lake Lodge where the family has many memories. Brandyn is the most respectful, courteous young man... I just can't wait to see where life takes him!!! Thank you for a fun session!!!

THIS IS KATIE...Sidney High School Class of 2020

If you look up the definition of sweet in the dictionary you will find Katie's photo next to it!!! Oh my goodness is this young lady stunning or what??!! I met Katie at Haren's Market in Troy and we began our session upstairs. I could tell Katie was a little nervous but I knew I could break her out of her shell. About 15 minutes into our session Katie was the natural model that I knew she would be. Relaxed and confident!!! YES!!!We then headed outside to a deserted warehouse that matched her next outfit, thank goodness it wasn't too cold out in the middle of February!! We walked around Troy and just had a fun time shooting and talking. This is how a session should be!  I just love when clients trust me and they can let me guide them into photos that show their inner beauty!! Katie, thank you for a fun session

I really don't think that I could have asked for a more positive, outgoing, fun, energetic and ready to graduate senior than I got with Miss Annie!!! She is a senior at Fairlawn High School and will be attending Capital University in Columbus majoring in Vocal Performance. She is an amazing soul!! I loved spending the evening with her, we just laughed and had so much fun the whole time! She trusted me with our seamless posing and she is now a professional and is ready for our second shoot next week in downtown Dayton!! I can not wait to see what we create together. Love you girl!! XOXO