SENIOR/GRADUATION SESSION GUIDE
A Guide for Melissa Berdis Photography Clients
WELCOME AND THANK YOU!
You did the thing! Congrats on your huge accomplishment! I am so honored you chose me to document this special time in your life!
LETS TALK ABOUT STYLE
Keep it simple! You're the focus of the photos. The main subject should be you — not your clothes.
Choose light colors and tones to contrast with your stole and robe. Graduation stoles and robes are typically darker and more intense with color, so it helps to have a lighter base.
Avoid plaid, polka dots, stripes and any imagery on your clothing.
If you want to wear bold colors, I recommend bringing it as your second outfit.
Please iron/steam and hang your clothes the day before to prevent wrinkles.
Do not wait until the day of your session to remove the stole from the package. It will have fold lines.
If you have your stole, I highly recommend actually wearing it with your clothes to see if it matches.
LADIES
Go and purchase that long, flowy dress you’ve been eyeing from your favorite store. Or are you ready to show off your legs you’ve been working hard on with those perfect pair of jeans.
And don't forget, add a little more makeup than you normally do. A colored lip and extra blush will really look great it pictures!
A few things to remember:
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Footwear: If you decide to wear heels, please bring flip-flops. We’ll be walking whether on campus or a destination of your choosing, and it will definitely help.
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Makeup: A few days before your session, I recommend testing your makeup in natural light by facing a window and applying it. The light bouncing off your makeup changes the way it looks in photos compared to real life. So even if you want a subtle makeup look, you need to exaggerate it – that way it shows up stronger in photos.
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Hair: Now is not the time to try something new. Choose a style that you're comfortable with (i.e., a hairstyle that you've done for a wedding).
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Clothes: If you plan on wearing lightly colored clothing, your underwear needs to be lightly colored as well or it will be visible through your clothes. You don't necessarily need to wear a strapless bra (because the stole will cover it up), but it will definitely help!
FAVORITE SHOPS
And if you're on a budget, you'd be surprised how many cute, comfy dresses you can find on Amazon and Target (just make sure to read the reviews!).
GENTLEMEN
I always think a nice pair of khakis or navy pants dresses up any neutral colored button up.
-Dress pants
-Khaki pants
-Nice jeans
-Blazer
-Button down shirts
-Polos
-Ties or bowties
-Suspenders, vests, watches
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Hair: Haircuts should be done a week or a few days before your session. Some guys don't like the way they look right after a haircut, which is why I recommend doing this. Also, don't try anything new and stick to something you're familiar with.
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Facial hair: If you think your beard and/or mustache is a huge part of your personality, of course, you don't have to shave. But please, at least trim and groom up a bit.
CAP AND GOWN
For most graduates I’ve worked with, photos with their cap and gown are a must. However, the issue that we run into is the availability of the cap and gown. Sometimes, these are available just a few weeks before graduation. This makes it difficult to have a graduation photo shoot 6 weeks from graduation. Six weeks is a good time frame because it can take your photographer 1-2 weeks to edit and deliver your photos, then another 1-2 weeks if you are printing graduation announcements or grad party invites, and another 1-2 weeks for these grad announcements and invitations to get to your loved ones via mail. My recommendation is making sure to schedule your session right when you know you'll be receiving your cap and gown or borrow from a friend/relative.
THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF A SENIOR SESSION
DO:
-GPS the location
-Show up 5-10 minutes before your session time
-Wear a dress that makes you feel beautiful
-Wear an outfit that covers or hides your trouble areas
-Choose colors like neutrals, earth tones, pastels
-Choose soft colors such as blush, dusty blue, or cream orslightly brighter colors
-Wear solids or non-busy floral patterns
-Bring your cap and gown!
-Get excited and have fun!
DON'T:
-Bring a ton of props- the focus should be on YOU.
-Bright neon colors or colors that distract from your lovely faces
-Wear outfits that cling to or exposes your trouble areas
-Underdress (t-shirts, old tennis shoes)
-Forget to match accessories to each outfit.
-Stress! I will do ALL the work!
ONE FINAL NOTE
Alright friend, I know I just gave you a lot to think about!
But I created this guide to take the guess work out of planning your outfits and to help you look your absolute best!
I really want to make this experience something that you enjoy!
Leave your stress at home and let me do all the work!
