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Hey there! It's me Sarah, your adventuring, rural-loving senior photographer and your new BFF behind the camera.

We are celebrating this season of change and choices, we are about to capture your natural shine as we plan your senior portrait session that feels like YOU.

I can't wait to Tell Your Story.

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As your senior photographer, I have no shortage of serene, beautiful locations to use as a backdrop for your senior portraits.  If you know exactly what you want - good for you, however if your still unsure I recommend you look start looking at other senior's photos to see if you connect with a location (save these images to a mood board; do you notice a theme?).  Connecting with a location is key to a successful senior portrait session.  We want you to feel comfortable, confident and having fun at your location. 

Some of my favorite locations are:
  • Rural settings: tall, grass fields; creeks or ponds; and back country roads. 
  • Flower fields: Arboretums; flower preserves or gardens and sunflower fields.
  • City Settings: downtown city streets, back alleys; parking garages or ramps; historic building storefronts; and wrought-iron staircases.

Check out my Portfolio page for location inspiration.  If we haven't already decided on a couple locations for your session, I'll be reaching out to you a couple of weeks prior to your session to discuss locations that peak your interest. 

Location! Location! Location!

Celebrating your senior year is more than snapping a handful of beautiful portraits – it’s about showcasing you who are as you enter adulthood. I’ve supported many seniors who feel awkward and uncomfortable the minute their session begins, only to watch their confidence blossom throughout their senior photography experience.

If you haven't already created a mood board - this is the perfect place to start!  Check out the blog where I walk you through creating a mood board for your dream senior portrait session. 

Pro-Tip:  Make sure you share this mood board with me either via email (hello@smonsonphotography.com) or text me a link. 

Picture Perfect: Tips For Building A Mood board For Your Senior Portrait Session

Create a Moodboard

It's simple keep it natural!  To show up as your authentic self, recommend a natural look.  Avoid heavy makeup and or the orange spray tan look.  If you are going to spray tan recommend doing this 5-7 days prior to your session so the tan has time to wear off but is still noticeable. Light make-up application, natural eye, lip and cheek color will help bring you to life in your photos.  

Natural hair color, wavy or curl to your hair is a timeless look.  If you have long hair keeping it down versus in a pony tail, unless you love the look of a pony, is recommended.  

Keep Make-up & hair Natural

Footwear for your session is important for a couple of reasons. 
  1. We want your footwear to compliment your outfits.  Dingy white tennis shoes does not compliment a natural boho styled outfit.  
  2. We maybe venturing out on rural landscapes where the ground will be uneven at times and when I ask you to walk, twirl or dance on the uneven ground your going to want shoes you feel comfortable in.

Why footwear Matters?

Patterns, prints, flannels, logo on t-shirts - keep it subtle.  If it's loud and proud then it's going to be distracting and when you look at your photos all your going to see is the print or logo!  

Keep it Subtle

I like to tell my seniors to keep it simple and subtle.  Natural colors photograph well in any location serene midwest landscape or historic downtown.  Colors like navy, maroon, olive, forest green, black, beige, etc.  Colors to avoid: bright red, florescent colors, hunter orange, etc. these colors can be distracting unless your going for a certain hunting photo or to show your love for Wisconsin Badgers then I say yes!   


What colors Photograph Well?

This one is for the ladies; accessories are a great way to add depth or dimension to your photos.  Word of caution don't over accessorize to the point it becomes a distraction.  
Accessories to consider: 
  • Necklace
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • Rings
  • Wide brim hats

Accessorizing

One of my favorite tip for clothing choice is layers!  In the summer months, this may be more difficult to pull of but can be done.  Not only will it provide visual interest but also allow a lot more variety in your shots and poses as we use it as a prop.  
Types of layers: 
  • Jackets
  • Scarves
  • Vests
  • Cardigans
  • Shackets

Layering

The biggest challenge for most seniors is what to wear!  The recommendation is keep it simple, don't over think it and wear what you feel comfortable in.  Go to your closest what is the theme?  Are you a jeans and t-shirt kind of person; shorts and tank-tops; do you love a cute summer dress?  All questions you need to ask yourself when selecting outfits - what do YOU feel comfortable in. 

One thing to avoid is wearing something you typically don't wear; example: you see a ton of senior girls wearing a cute summer dress and you think it's cute but you don't own a cute summer dress and you've never worn one before - do not go out and buy a summer dress if it's not for you.  Mistakes that senior make is doing what others are doing, to keep this session unique to you wear the outfits that fits your style and vibe.  

Here are some recommendations on selecting outfits: 
  • Girls: cute summer dresses, rompers, skirts, jeans, shorts, vests, sweaters, simple t-shirts, tank tops, crop tops, body suits, off the shoulder tops, blouses, jackets, shackets, etc. (check out the Girls Gallery for more inspiration) 
  • Guys: jeans, shorts,polos, khaki pants,  button up shirts, henly shirts, nice dress 3 button color t-shirts, quarter zips, flannel, etc. (check out the Boys Gallery for more inspiration) 

I have some Pinterest boards with outfit inspiration check them out. Pro-tip: save your favorite outfit photo to your mood board. 

Places to shop for clothes online: 

Local boutiques to check out for the ladies: 

What to wear!

Showing up Photo-Ready & Confident in what your wearing

One way that I support my seniors is by guiding your outfit selections for your session.  I want you to feel confident and show up photo-ready for your session.  This is why I will ask you 2 weeks prior to your session to send me photos of your outfits, nothing fancy you can lay your outfits on the bed and snap a picture and text it to me or you can put them on and snap a photo in the mirror, either way I'd love to see what your planning on wearing. 

This will allow me to visualize what outfit will look good at what location AND I can tell you what outfit to wear to your session so we don't have to spend the first 15 minutes looking at outfits and determining which to wear first.   

let's chat →

After reading through everything your still unsure what to wear, do not fret!  I would love to help you out.  Click the button below and let's chat, together we can get you headed in the right direction.

Not sure What to wear?

nEED HELP

1. have fun!

3 tips for gettting the most out of your session

First and foremost, having your photos taken should be fun!  I know it can be awkward and stressful sitting in front of a camera for the first time, but knowing you have a location you love, outfits that your comfortable in will help you feel confident allowing you to have fun. 


2. Movement!

Once your comfortable and starting to have fun, we will add movement!  Some of my seniors favorite images are candid movement photos where they are letting loose and letting their bright natural self shine.  Guys can expect to be strutting, grape vining, walking or running.  The ladies maybe swinging their hips, dancing, grape vining, skipping, walking away from me, or flinging their hair.  9 out of 10 times the movement images are the first images my seniors post online, so much of their personality can be found in these images. 

3. Props!

I am always open to incorporating those things you love.  Guitar, books, farm animals, dogs, sports, autos, whatever your love is please let me know and we will find away to capture you enjoying what you love.  What to see more photos where we incorporate props check out the Prop Gallery.

Absolutely! If you have a unique location that’s special to you, from your family farm or pond to a property or location you love, let’s use it. Please bring this up during our session planning conversations!

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE MY SENIOR PORTRAITS TAKEN ON MY PROPERTY? 

No need to worry! Weather is one thing we can not control, so I have built flex days into my schedule that are reserved for rescheduled clients. Typically, I’m able to accommodate reschedules within 1-2 weeks, depending on how our schedules coordinate.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WEATHER BECOMES AN ISSUE? 

I recommend bringing along 4-5 outfits. We will capture at least three outfits, and before your session, we’ll discuss which outfits coordinate best with each location. In addition, if you have sports or band uniforms, bring those along to capture as well!

HOW MANY OUTFITS DO WE BRING? 

Approximately 24 hours after your session, you will see a sneak peek on social media. Then, four weeks later – get excited! – you’ll receive a link to view your fully edited, high-quality images in an online gallery.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY IMAGES? 

 Let Me Answer Your Questions!

FAQS:

Your online gallery has a professional print shop within it, so purchasing products is a breeze. It’s user-friendly, and everything is shipped directly to your doorstep! If you’d like support in designing custom imagery, I’m happy to help.

HOW DO WE PURCHASE PRINTS? 

Yes! You will pay $300 at time of signing the contract, and the remainder will be split up into 2 equal payments, with the first payment due two months prior to your session date and the final payment due one week prior to your session. 

DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?  

We have access to a couple of flower fields in the area. The Benton High School has a prairie field with beautiful poppy, which typically blooms in late June to early July. If you’d rather opt for cone flowers and sunflowers, let’s plan your session for August.

I WANT PHOTOS WITH A WILDFLOWER FIELD. WHAT MONTH IS BEST? 

Consider what type of outfits you want to wear. If you’re most comfortable in tank tops and shorts, a summer session is ideal for you, whereas if you envision cuddly warm sweaters and jeans, a fall session is more your style. Think about the landscape that surrounds you as well. If green grasses or fall leaves are important to you, I suggest choosing accordingly. I’m happy to offer advice!

WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR SHOULD I BOOK MY SESSION?

I have a pop-up changing tent that goes everywhere with us. Don’t worry: I have you covered!

HOW DO YOU CHANGE OUTFITS ONSITE?

YES! You’re more than welcome to include your fur babies. The only thing I ask is that the animal be on a leash and or halter of some sort. Again, preparation is key here, so let’s start the conversation early to ensure we have a location that will accommodate. 

CAN I INCLUDE MY FUR BABY, DOG, CAT, HORSE, ETC.? 

FAQs