High School Senior Portrait Photography

In addition to Mrs. Sharp's professional senior photography experience, she has been a member of the Ridgeview Classical School Yearbook club, and has been in the presence of literally thousands of high school senior portraits. The article below summarizes much of what she has observed.

Senior portraits are a right of passage in society today. They are steeped in tradition and are a most interesting and creative type of photography. As a photographer, you should know that developing a rapport with the student is very important. If you can make the student feel relaxed and comfortable with you the portraits will feel less posed and have a more realistic quality. You can also be creative with these portraits and let them really demonstrate the student's personality and self-expression.

A natural setting is preferred, as outdoor lighting is so much more realistic and flattering. Morning or early evening light creates the best effect and the shadows are less harsh and the direction of the sunlight can be used to create different effects, like silhouettes, or softer side shadows. Having somewhere for a student to be reclining gives a different perspective, as do shots where the student is above the photographer and framed by either light or shadow; leaves, grasses and interesting wood also make good textural backgrounds and frames.

If a portrait studio is desired, try to make it creative with props. Have the student bring an item that really represents his or her hobbies or interests. Bicycles, snowboards, skis, sports uniforms or at least balls, musical instruments and even posters are great props. Try having the student peek out from the side of a snowboard, and get a close up of just a part of the face and the edge of the board. These kind of prop photos allow the student to feel surrounded by his or her personal items and often leads to a better rapport with the photographer as the items or hobbies are discussed.

Prop photos are also great when on location at a student's chosen venue. A student's car, horses, pets, a treasured spot in their yard, or a place that evokes fond memories will make a photo even more meaningful. Beautiful outdoor settings in Colorado are easy to come by, and the ones I have set up in my yard are often reminiscent of other areas in state parks and along the Poudre river that the students have visited. These settings also lead to conversations that make the students feel like they have a commonality with the photographer.

Retouching of senior portraits is a must, especially when the skin of adolescents can be so prone to blemishes. These photographs will be a memento of the senior's appearance at this specific and special time for the rest of his or her lifetime. Preserving these memories in a more flattering aspect is quite significant. It will lead to a feeling of self confidence and can be another way to make both parents and students feel more comfortable with the photographer.

Have fun, use humor and develop a rapport. Be creative and let the senior's personality appear. Present the student in the most positive light possible (literally!) Both the photographer and the student should enjoy this right of passage and create a connection that demonstrates itself in the resulting shots.