Is your teenager getting ready for their senior year at Appleton North High School? If so, that means senior photos are next on your agenda! I know things are always busy, so it can be hard to manage all the things. Senior year is full of all kinds of decisions from college, to sports to senior portraits. I’ve been a senior photographer for over 10 years and have become an expert at helping my clients get ready for the big day! So to help you, I’ve created a senior photo checklist to help make this easy and fun for you!
Senior Photography Session Checklist for Appleton North High School Parents
1. Find Your Senior Photographer
This is the first and most important step for planning your senior session, finding the right photographer. To help you, I would recommend first thinking about what style you’re wanting for your photos: colorful, bold, moody, light, monotone, etc. If you’re not sure what you like, go on Pinterest and save images you gravitate towards. Then look at the board and see what you tend to lean towards. Then find photographers who have a style that matches the vibe you want. After, learn more about them by looking at their websites and social media accounts. Learn more about them and what they have to offer. Be sure that you genuinely like them, but that they also can provide the experience you’re wanting. Reach out to the senior photographers you most align with and get more information about their services and packages. Choose the one that gets you most excited! Your senior year only happens once!
2. Pick a Date for Your Photo Session
Choosing a date for your senior session, sometimes can feel daunting. But don’t let it overwhelm you! First think about the vibe you and your Appleton North High School senior are wanting. Consider options like spring, summer, fall, wildflowers, beaches, forest, cityscape, etc. For instance, if you know that you love the look of wildflowers then I would go with a summer date as that’s when they’re blooming. If you love Fall and the changing colors, go with an October date. If you’re not entirely sure, I recommend grabbing my free season booking guide that breaks down what each month has to offer and helps you plan.
3. Choose a Location
Next you’ll want to choose a location for your session. Some Appleton North High School parents like to choose locations that have meaning for them and their senior like family property, the lake or Ridgeway Country Club. Others just know that they want a nature or city spot. If you don’t have a specific spot in mind, reach out to your senior photographer and ask them if they have recommendations. I personally have tons of locations for my senior sessions and love recommending mine as they are totally unique.
4. Choose Your Outfits
What your senior wears to their session is super important. It sets the tone for their images and really brings everything together. I recommend choosing 3 outfits for the session. Pick one outfit that is really dressy, one outfit that is business casual and one outfit that shows your senior’s personality. For example, the outfit for your senior’s personality could be wearing their favorite color, or choosing a cute pair of Sambas to go with their dress or even wearing their Appleton North High School basketball jersey. Neither options are wrong, just select something that feels very much like them.
5. Senior Session Day
Next you’ll want to get ready for your photo session day! A few days before the session, I recommend steaming the outfits to get rid of wrinkles and then hanging them in a safe spot. I would also put together any props you’d like to include like trophies, medals, sports equipment, etc. Be sure to also pack a makeup bag, extra shoes, a back up outfit and a lint roller if you have pets! I’d rather you come over prepared for your session than upset you forgot something. I recommend packing everything at least a day in advance and then checking it the day of. This way you don’t forget anything.
6. Choose a Photo for the Appleton North High School Yearbook
After your session, you’ll select your favorite images and artwork. But you’ll also need to select an image for the Appleton North High School yearbook. A few things to note about your yearbook photo: make sure it’s a head and shoulders image (no hands or arms), the image should be vertical, no props can be included and your outfit must be appropriate. Your senior photographer can help you crop the image to the exact measurements needed, just send them the information page so they know how to resize it. Check with your photographer too, they might be able to send it in for you. I offer this as a complimentary service to all my senior clients.
Ready to Plan Your Senior Portrait Session?
I hope this checklist helps you plan your Appleton North High School senior’s photo session. I know that it can feel like a big to do list, but I promise you it’s not too complicated! The senior photographer you select should also be able to help you with most of these things, so don’t be afraid to ask questions!
If you’re hoping for an incredible experience with all the guidance, I’d love to be considered! Senior sessions are my speciality and I love helping my clients plan all the details. I even meet all of my clients for an in-person meeting beforehand because I want to make this experience as easy and personable as possible. Send me a message and say hi!
Here are some other posts you might find helpful:
Yearbook Photo Guide for Preble High School Green Bay WI
Let’s Plan Your Baseball Senior Photos at Freedom High School WI
