Hey gorgeous!
This is going to be so fun! Thank you for choosing me to document this special season in your life. My goal is to make your senior portrait experience simple and fun.
This guide will cover different locations, outfit help, what to expect, and more. I want you to feel as prepared as possible so you can get the most out of your senior portrait experience. My job is to make you both look and feel like the best version of you!
P.S. If you haven't already, please fill out the senior questionnaire here. I would love to get to know you more and make your session as unique to you as possible!
I will be in contact with you about 2 weeks before the session to go over meeting times, outfits, and locations but feel free to reach out to me at any time if you have questions or concerns.
juliereneephotos@gmail.com
(469) 587-9910
Let's talk locations.
Where should I take my portraits?
Keep in mind that YOU will be the focus point of every image. A beautiful background only goes so far, simplicity is key. Remember that popular locations can be busy and may require parking and entry fees. Luckily I have found a few hidden gems and can make tons of recommendations to ensure your session represents you and your style!
A few of my favs:
Nature/Outdoorsy
Davis/Lakeside Park-Highland Park
Flippen Park-Highland Park
White Rock Lake-Dallas
Twelve Hills Nature Center-Dallas
Arlington Hall-Highland Park
Urban/City
Rooftops/Skylines-Dallas
Bishop Arts District-Dallas
Arts Districts-Dallas
Deep Ellum-Dallas
Highland Park Village- Highland Park
Studio
*REQUIRES A RENTAL FEE
Artist Uprising Studios-Dallas
If you'd like a studio I am happy to book this for you and add it to your final invoice. I just need to know as soon as possible to ensure it is available.
STYLE HELP PLEASE!
Use the tips below to help curate the perfect outfits for your upcoming senior session. However, keep in mind that there are no official "rules." This is YOUR session. Wear what you love! Feel free to send any outfit photos to me and I can find locations that coordinate perfectly!
Comfort + Movement
The best outfit tip I can give you is to dress comfortably! Choose clothing that allows for movement. We will be doing a variety of sitting, standing, twirling, walking, and laying type posing which can be difficult if your outfit is too short, tight, or uncomfy. Flowy dresses and skirts photograph beautifully and capture the best movement in photos. I also highly recommend bringing at least one outfit with pants/shorts. This will help us get more variety in posing!
Variety + Color
Since your session includes 3 outfits, consider switching things up to ensure you have lots of variety with your outfits. For example, avoid bringing 3 short dresses- this doesn't give us a lot to work with posing wise! Think about categories like dressy, casual, sports-related, school related, edgy, preppy, trendy, etc. When choosing colors, think of what makes your skin, hair, or eyes, pop! Pastels, jewel tones, neutrals, denim, and classic black and white are all great options. Generally, I would avoid any neon colors as this can cause a color cast on your skin and not photograph as well.
Environment
Ideally, your outfit should compliment the location we are in! This will make your photos feel natural. You wouldn't wear a formal dress with heels in a tall grassy field! I highly recommend sending me a few photos of your outfits beforehand and I can give suggestions of locations that will compliment them best.
Hair + Makeup
I highly recommend booking professional hair and makeup if it is in your budget. Professional makeup does make a huge difference in your photos and adds to your senior portrait experience! Before booking a hair and makeup artist please be sure to double check their cancellation/reschedule policy as it is possible we will need to reschedule due to unpredictable Texas weather!
Brite Beauty in Dallas is the best and I can't recommend them enough! Click here to view their services and use code REFER for 15% off your booking. Brite beauty is also conveniently located in Dallas near most of my favorite locations!
If this is not in your budget, that is completely okay! Plan to apply slightly heavier makeup than usual so that it shows up well on camera. Keep your nails looking nice and fresh as many poses will have your hands near your face or in the frame.
SESSION DAY
The Importance Of Being On Time
Being on time to your session is VITAL. I don't say this because of my time...I say this because we are on the SUNS time. Your session was planned around ideal lighting, so being late means you are losing that ideal lighting for your images. I highly recommend being at least 15 minutes early to your session. That way, even if you hit traffic (Highway 80 and Dallas traffic can be pretty awful!) or a delay.. it doesn't eat into your shooting time. I will not be able to provide extra session time due to lateness. Being late can affect our ability to get through all of your outfits/locations.
Posing and Shooting
After we meet and go over your outfits we will walk to our first spot and begin shooting. You might be nervous, feeling a little awkward, worrying about posing, etc. The good news is that I know how you feel and I am here to guide you the entire way. I don't expect you to be a model- in fact, none of the people in my photographs are. Posing you is MY job- you can just relax and have fun.
Changing Outfits
I will provide a stand up changing tent for you to change outfits. This helps save time walking back and forth to the car. If you feel more comfortable changing in the car that is completely okay! If it is super hot or cold outside we may take a few AC/heat breaks to cool down or warm up- I always plan in extra time for this so you can be comfortable.
POST SESSION
Once the session ends you will receive 3-5 sneak peek images within 24 hours. All galleries will be delivered two weeks (14 days) after the session date. I edit galleries in the order they are taken and I typically have about 5-6 sessions per week. Your photos are coming I promise!
All galleries are password protected and will be delivered electronically to your email. This password will be in the email and you and anyone you share it with can use it to download the images. A print release is included so you can print wherever you choose. I will also text you a mobile preview, however, it is recommended that you download the images via computer for printing. Screenshotting from the mobile preview link distorts the quality-trust me!
Printing
It is SO important that you print your images. I do offer printing through my print shop which is automatically connected to your gallery. The print shop uses professional print labs to deliver high-quality prints and products straight to your doorstep. You can even design and customize your graduation announcements there! I also provide a print release for you to download and print your images wherever you choose!
FAQ
Weather Reschedules
If you are a senior wanting warm golden tones + dreamy lighting, it is worth the wait to reschedule your session due to rain or major overcast. Great lighting makes all the difference. I want your images to be the best they can be, so I am as flexible as possible with rescheduling. I typically make a final call the night before or morning of with a list of reschedule dates to choose from.
How do I pay you?
I accept cash, check, venmo, and most major credit cards whichever is easiest for you. Payment is due the day of the shoot to ensure you receive your photos quickly.
Anything else I should bring to my session?
Come prepared to your session! Some essentials include quarters for parking meters, lipgloss/chapstick, bottles of water, and comfortable walking shoes. Also, be on time or arrive a little early. There is typically always a little traffic in Dallas, and you are most likely headed to a location you have never been to before. Leaving early allows you to have extra time to find parking and avoid the stress of getting lost!
Can I bring other people to my session?
Yes! Seniors, bring your mom or a family member! This is a great experience for them too (they might even shed a few tears). Having someone there to assist you, carry a few things, and ensure you look your very best can make you feel more at ease. Bringing a pet? I recommend having someone else there to hold them when they are not in the photos. Family and friends are welcome to jump in for photos the last 5-10 minutes of your session.
Where can I change outfits?
I will provide a stand-up changing tent during your session. This allows us to save time walking back to the car or trying to find a restroom to change in. Or, whatever makes you most comfortable works great for me!