7 Senior Picture Makeup Tips for Great Photos

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Senior pictures will likely be keepsakes you and your family look back on for years to come. When it comes to your photos, the kind of makeup you wear will play a big part in how they will turn out. The photos will highlight you, after all! I highly recommend you keep a few things in mind with the makeup you wear for your photos.

If you’re worried about how much makeup is too much, what will or won’t photograph well on camera, or have a fear you might look clownish, keep reading! I’m not a makeup expert, but I’ve photographed hundreds of portraits to learn what works and doesn’t work in front of the camera. These tips should cover your questions, so you feel confident knowing you look your best!

Senior Picture Makeup Tips for Great Photos

Tip 1: Keep your skin looking natural.

If you have amazing skin, you’re in luck. You should be good to go with just a touch of powder or blush. If you’re a regular foundation user, pull out a foundation that makes your skin look as natural as possible. No cakey foundation here, please. If you need a recommendation, this cult-favorite foundation tends to photograph very well. It’s sheer enough to build, it doesn’t contain any SPF so it’s not reflective, and it applies really well. In general, find something that’s not super dewy/reflective or matte, somewhere in the middle where it looks like your natural skin texture.

Tip 2: Do your makeup in natural light or in front of a well-lit mirror.

Most of my photography work is done in natural lighting. In the same vein, I recommend doing your makeup in front of a naturally-lit window or a well-lit mirror, so you make sure the colors look exactly the way you expect when you get in front of the camera. Give yourself plenty of time to do your makeup, so you can enjoy the process.

Tip 3: Accentuate your features, especially your eyes.

If you have natural features on your face like freckles or distinct marks (my mom always called them beauty spots!), I recommend keeping them as opposed to covering them up to showcase your natural beauty. In general, use your makeup to accentuate your features like a bronzer to accentuate your cheekbones or eyeliner to highlight your eyes.

Eyes are the most important to accentuate, so make sure your brows are well-groomed. Find different ways to highlight your eyes, from thicker lashes to defined eyeliner. (BTW, here are a few things you should keep in mind for how to prepare for your senior session.)

Tip 4: Use a heavier hand with your cheeks and lips.

Many kinds of light tend to wash out color from your facial features. When it comes to blush, use a heavier hand than you normally would and apply a tad more color than usual. For your lips, you don’t have to go with a heavy, bright color. Just make sure they’re defined and the color is applied evenly.

Tip 5: Keep powder on hand.

During your shoot, I recommend you bring powder or at least some blotting sheets to make sure you’re looking fresh. It gets hot in Austin, Texas, so I’ve had girls even bring personal fans in their packed bag for senior photos to make sure they’re not looking too shiny and sweaty.

Tip 6: Avoid dewy or high-shimmer face makeup to avoid looking sweaty.

On that note, I highly recommend you steer clear of shimmery foundations, blushes, highlighters, and powders to avoid looking shiny. If you’re taking senior pictures outside in the heat, chances are you’ll start sweating. You won’t want shimmery makeup on top of your natural sweaty sheen. It’ll make for some super shiny-looking photos!

Tip 7: Bring a basic kit to your photoshoot for retouches.

Aside from powder or blotting sheets, there are a few other things I recommend you bring in your makeup touch-up kit. Click to see what you should include to bring along to your shoot: The Complete Senior Photos Packing Checklist.

Senior Photos Outfit Guide: What to Wear for Your Portrait Session

Senior photo outfits play a huge part in how your pictures will turn out. If you’re a self-proclaimed fashionista, I’m sure you’ll have no problem choosing what to wear. If you’ve never had your photos professionally taken before, this resource was made just for you. This guide is complete with outfit tips and recommendations, so you feel confident and comfortable on the day of your shoot.

I promise you don’t need to have a professional stylist help you. Read through the guide, so you can find the outfits that will be best for your shoot!

Senior Photos Outfit Guide

Opt for solid colors over small patterns or prints.

My recommendation is you stick with solid colors over patterns and prints. If you go with a pattern, choose a larger-scale print over a smaller pattern so it’s not distracting for the camera.

Similar to makeup for your pictures, choose clothing that helps you feel confident. Love a specific color? Wear it! Just remember the focus is on you and not your clothes, so if you love a specific color, consider how bright or flattering the colors are against your skin, so you’re not taking away from your face or features.

You don’t have to wear your school colors. Pick colors you feel best in. If you need guidance you can also match, coordinate, or go bold with your stole color.

Make sure it fits well.

If you take anything away from this resource, make sure the outfits you choose fit properly. If your outfit is meant to fit oversize, go for it. If your outfit is supposed to fit-to-size, make sure it actually does that and doesn’t fit too tightly or loosely, especially when it comes to your straps, bust area, mid-section area, and hemlines.

On that note, wear something you feel comfortable sitting, standing, and kneeling down in. If you find yourself dancing in it, bring it with you!

Consider A CASUAL AND DRESSY OPTION.

I direct most seniors I work with to bring a few options in an hour+ photo session. A casual outfit can be jeans and a nice top. It can also be a jersey with jean shorts and cowboy boots. A dressy option can be a flowy dress or cocktail dress. Just make sure it’s not too short, so you can sit down or grab any props with ease.

Keep the location, season, and weather in mind.

As you’re preparing for your senior session, be sure to keep the weather and the season in mind. Summer dresses in the middle of winter might not be the best call unless you’re going for a specific creative look.

The rule of thumb is to dress for the season and weather in mind. If it’s warm out, grab your favorite spring/summer dresses or outfits. If it’s cold outside, pull out those sweaters and layering pieces.

Wear the right undergarments.

Alright, let’s chat about underwear. Whether you’re wearing a casual or dressy outfit, make sure you have the right undergarments to go with your clothing. For example, if you know your pants will fit tightly against your body and you feel uncomfortable with panty lines, find a no-show option. If your dress or top might show bra straps, choose an alternative like a strapless bra or chicken cutlets. Tighter dress? Consider shapewear if it helps you feel more confident.

Senior Photos Outfit Tips

Stick to your style.

While it may be fun to get experimental with your clothes for creative photoshoots, I recommend staying true to your style for your senior session. You’ll want to feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing so wear what feels good to you and stick with it!

Avoid strapless options.

My suggestion is you steer clear of any outfits that are extra fussy like strapless options, so you feel comfortable during your session.

Avoid glasses with glare.

If you rock glasses every day and you feel most comfortable wearing them, I suggest you reach out and ask your photographer if you should bring them to your session. Your senior photographer will either help you pose to avoid the glare or recommend you keep them off for your photos.

If you need specific guidance on what to wear for outfits, your photographer will work with you directly to pick the best options! Bottom line: make sure you stay true to what makes you feel comfortable, confident, and true to your style!

How to Prepare for Your Senior Portraits Session

Your senior portraits should be a fun and no-stress experience! There are a few things I recommend doing before your session, so you show up feeling excited and ready for a fun time. If you reserved your time a few months in advance, your photographer will likely walk you through the most important things like outfits and locations. If you still have a few questions or just want to make sure you have all your bases covered, here are a few things I recommend doing the week of your senior session.

How to Prepare for Senior Portraits a Week Before

Hang up your gown and stole in the bathroom

If you plan to wear your regalia to your session, be sure to hang up your stole and gown in your bathroom to smooth out wrinkles at least five days before your session. The steam from your shower should release the creases, so you end up looking neat and tidy before your session.

Get that facial for glowy skin

If you plan to get a facial, I recommend doing it at least a week prior to your session and avoid any major treatments that will cause your skin to peel. If you do a facial that includes extractions, getting it done at least a week before will give your skin time to heal. On that note, any professional beauty treatments like body hair waxing or eyebrow shaping should be done with enough time to give your skin a chance to heal from redness or irritation.

Get on a good sleep schedule

At least a week before your session, make sure you’re getting your beauty rest. If you can’t swing a full week of good sleep, at least try to get that rest in the night before.

Three Days Before Your Senior Photos

Ask a friend or loved one if they can attend your session.

Ask a friend or loved one if they can attend your session. A few days before your session, ask if a friend or family member if they can be at your photoshoot to fix your hair, hold any bags, and help you feel your best.

Lay out your outfits

Chances are you probably already confirmed and chosen what you’re wearing to your photoshoot. Make sure to lay out everything, including jewelry and props.

Two Days Before Your Senior Portraits Session

Spray tan

If you want to look tan in your photos, make sure to get that spray in two days or more prior to your shoot, so your tan has time to settle in before your pictures.

Hydrate and be mindful of your food

At least two days before your shoot, drink lots of water, and don’t eat anything that might make you feel super bloated on your shoot.

Keep lips moisturized

Make sure you’re taking care of your lips. This will help your lip color apply more evenly and look much better in your pictures. The earlier you start doing this, the better, but two days should be enough time to let your lip products do their job.

One Day Before Your Senior Photoshoot

Pack your bags

The day before your shoot, pack your car or your bags with everything you will need. This includes your outfits, props, regalia, makeup bag, and anything you will need during your session. Here’s a full list of everything you should bring.

Get that manicure done

Nails show up in photos and they can be a pain to fix in Photoshop. Wait until the day before your portrait session to get them done, so your nails are looking their best with no chips. If you’re not a nail person, just make sure they look clean, moisturized hands and minimal hangnails.

Confirm your meeting time and locations with your photographer

Chances are that you already reviewed the locations you’ll be visiting for your photoshoot. Confirm the first location and even check where you might be parking, so you and your photographer don’t waste time searching for each other the day of the shoot.

The Day of Your Senior Pictures

Shave

If hair is a non-issue for you, skip this one. But for you friends with facial hair, leg hair, underarm hair, or other places hair might be showing, shave either the day of your pictures or the day before (especially for you men!) to allow the redness to settle.

Don’t come hungry

You’ll likely be running of adrenaline and excitement during your shoot. Afterward, you’ll likely feel exhausted. Make sure you eat something fueling and energizing before

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready

Hair, makeup, groomed eyebrows, all of it. Make sure you have plenty of time to do it all and get yourself out the door with your packed bugs. I would plan for more time than less, so you’re not feeling stressed or frazzled the day of your shoot. In general, make sure you’re in a good headspace, so you can come feeling open-minded and ready to have fun!

A Few Notes

• Do not worry about blemishes or breakouts. Your photographer will easily be able to retouch your photos.

• Ladies, if you’re on your period the week of your shoot, don’t worry. Let your photographer know that you might be feeling a bit off, so they can help pose you and recommend clothing that will help you feel your best.

• Your photographer will keep you updated on the weather. If you need to reschedule, be flexible and keep this checklist handy so you can prepare well for your postponed shoot date.

• Physical emergencies like a bad tan, a stye, or injury can happen. If you’re worried about something specific, communicate with your photographer so they can advise you on whether to reschedule or keep your shoot date.

• I can’t stress enough: give yourself plenty of time to get ready the day of your shoot! You’ll want to feel your best emotionally and physically, so take control of what you can. I’m so excited for you!

The Complete Senior Photos Packing Checklist

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Senior photos were one of the things I looked forward to most about graduating. Out of everything that happened my last year of school, they made graduating finally feel “real”.

As a senior photographer, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is: “What should I bring to my session?” Even when I was getting my own photos done, I remember feeling like I was still missing things I packed.

I want you to feel absolutely prepared for the day of your shoot. This checklist below should cover everything you need to bring to your senior photos Whether you’re booking a 30-minute mini-session or a full-blown senior session, this list should cover everything you need.

If you can, I recommend packing what you need the night before and get a good night of sleep, so you can show up and just enjoy your session! A big tote bag will do. You know…like the ones they always give as free gifts with a purchase at Victoria’s Secret? That size!

What to Bring to Your Senior Photo Session

1. Your regalia
   
   Okay, first your cap & gown. Don’t leave your place without it! For the best, cleanest-looking photos, I recommend steaming your gown and stole before your session. You don’t have to get fancy at the dry cleaners or those wrinkle-release sprays. Just hang them up on the shower door a few days before your session. The steam from your showers should smooth everything out. During your session, I recommend keeping your regalia in a garment bag so nothing gets wrinkled.
   
   

2. An extra outfit/change of clothes
   
   If you plan for your senior shoot to last more than 30 minutes, you’re likely to have the opportunity to do an outfit change or two in your session. My rule of thumb is one outfit for every 30 minutes in front of the camera but check with your photographer for their guidelines and recommendations. Make sure you neatly pack those outfits away (maybe consider that garment bag again!), including jewelry and other accessories you want to wear.
   
   

3. Comfortable shoes
   
   It’s likely that your campus has a few locations you want to take photos at, so you’ll probably be walking to a variety of locations. Save your feet and make sure you bring some sandals or slip-on sneakers. You’ll feel so much better walking between photo spots knowing you’re not ruining your good shoes or building blisters on your feet!
   
   

4. Basic touch-up kit
   
   You don’t need to go crazy with the makeup you bring to your shoot. After years of senior photography, I find there’s not a lot of time to touch up everything. With that in mind, just bring the basics. My recommendations: blotting sheets, powder, lip color, tissues/disposable wipes, and floss. Yes, floss. It might seem random, but you never know when you might have something in your teeth!
   
   

5. Mirror
   
   Tuck a portable mirror into your bag, so you can make sure you’re looking your best in between pictures. If you don’t have a handheld or portable mirror, the front-facing camera on your phone should also do just fine. Just make sure that phone is charged!
   

A Few Extra Things for Your Senior Shoot

If you’re in for a longer portrait session or you just want to feel extra prepared, here are a few other things I recommend you bring with you to your session.

1. Props
   
   Props aren’t necessary for your portrait photos, but if you love the idea of incorporating some creativity in your session, leave room in your bag or car for a few fun things! Some prop ideas include biodegradable confetti, coffee from your favorite shop, textbooks, your senior ring, hats, your favorite sunglasses, or a camera. This is your time, so bring whatever you enjoy, feels important to you, or use in your daily life.
   
   

2. Water bottle
   
   If your shoot will be in hot weather, make sure you’re staying hydrated! I recommend bringing a bottle of water or a reusable water bottle with a straw attachment, so you don’t ruin your lip color. If you know your shoot will be longer than an hour, you can also bring some light snacks to fuel you throughout your session.
   
   

3. Lint roller
   
   If you plan to wear dark, solid-colored clothing for your photos, there might be lint or dog hair that you don’t want showing up in your photos. Your photographer might have one in their camera bag, but just in case, keep a mini lint roller in your car or bag.
   
   

4. Small towel
   
   This might feel like a weird one, but many of the seniors I work with want to hop into fountains at the end of their photo sessions. If you end up doing something similar, bring a small, lightweight swimmer’s towel so you can dry your feet and body.
   

5. Friends, family member, or loved one
   
   If this is your first time taking photos, I highly recommend bringing a loved one to your senior shoot, so you feel more relaxed on the day of your shoot. They’ll help you smile, laugh, and just be yourself. If you end up bringing a pet to your shoot, bringing someone else will absolutely help, so they can keep your pet happy while you take your photos.

The most important part of your senior shoot is that you feel like yourself. Do what feels natural for you and just have fun. You’ll enjoy yourself more and you’ll be so much happier with your photos if you do things that make you feel 100% comfortable and showcase you!

Need some help getting ready for your senior photos? Head to this post about how to get ready for a graduation shoot!