I always say, your Senior portraits are SO much more than a yearbook photo! They are a celebration of you, and this time in your life. I know that having your portraits taken can evoke a lot of anxiety, but I will do everything I can to minimize that, while making sure that you have portraits you love! Here are a few tips to take away some of that stress:
Book Early
If you are graduating in 2023, you might not be thinking about your Senior Portraits yet, but it is not too soon to get them on the calendar. Yearbook deadlines are in September, and schedules get crazy the closer we get! I get a lot of panicked emails as the yearbook deadline is approaching, and at a certain point in late Summer/early Fall I have to stop booking new sessions. Not to mention, Spring and early Summer are a really wonderful time for portraits, as flowers are blooming and the environment is greening up!
Choose a wardrobe that makes you feel great
My Simple Sessions include enough time for a single outfit, but a Custom Session allows enough time for up to three (along with a location of your choice within an hour of Andover). Whichever session you choose, be sure to pick clothes you feel great in and that fit your style, whatever it may be. I also have a great wardrobe guide that I’ll send you when you book — it will answer a lot of your questions, but of course I’m always here to bounce things off of. Check out these two sessions — Heather and Caitlin for some great wardrobe inspiration.
Pick a location you love
Of course we can keep it simple and do a session at one of my favorite local spots, but if you have a place that means something to you, let’s chat about it! My Simple Sessions take place closer to Andover, but with a Custom Session we can go anywhere within an hour of zip code 01810. If you want to go even further, I will consider that, will a small travel fee added on. Check out this session with Grace, where we went to Loon Mountain — her happy place!
My daughter, Ellie loves Vermont, so we did her session at Warren Falls. It was really fun and I really appreciated that she humored me and agreed to go into the water to sit on one of the rocks.
If you love the beach, I have a few great beach spots I can recommend. Keep an eye out for a blog post on how to make the most out of a Senior Session at the beach — coming soon!
Bring your personality and your confidence
Easier said than done, I know. But I promise you will have fun and I will make sure you are at ease and know exactly what to do. I’ll give you plenty of tips for how to look your best, and I’m always willing to listen to your ideas and requests. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a client say that their session was really fun, and they hadn’t expected it. So relax, show me who you are, and be confident that you will come away with beautiful portraits.
Bring a Friend or a Parent or even your pet!
Still nervous? I totally get it. I will do whatever I can to make you comfortable, but if it would help to have a friend or a parent with you, I absolutely welcome it! In fact, you can also consider a Best Friends Session and we’ll spend an an hour or two getting photos of you and your BFF individually and together.
And if you bring a parent along for support, I always encourage them to get in a photo or two if they are willing. 🙂
You can even book a Custom Session and include your family for multiple photos, or we can split the session into half senior half family.
I’ve photographed many, many seniors over the years, and I truly work to create portraits that go beyond just a “yearbook photo”. I want to celebrate all that you are and the hard work you have put in to get here. You deserve a session that is fun, focused on you, and makes you see how beautiful you are, inside an out. If you are a rising Senior, now is the time to get in touch so that we can make a plan for some beautiful senior portraits. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Cristen Farrell is a Boston Senior Portrait Photographer, and offers a variety of Senior Session packages. Cristen will capture you in a natural and authentic style, and you will have fun along the way! If you are looking for Boston Area or North Shore Senior photos, Cristen can be reached by clicking on the contact form on this page. Don’t forget to follow Cristen Farrell Photography on Instagram, too!
