Looking for the best tips and ideas for senior pictures? Wanting to know the secrets to poses and facial expressions? Based on my experience photographing lots of high school students, I got you covered. Keep reading to discover the best tips and advice for unbelievable senior pictures for girls and guys. Get ready to dominate your photoshoot with this 3-step guide!

Three main steps

Awkwardness and unfamiliarity can result in poor senior pictures. Training and knowing what to expect in advance can help you prepare properly to make the most of your photoshoot resulting in memorable pictures. Discover the keys to natural and phenomenal senior pictures.

Step 1: Preparation

Surely you’ve already navigated on Pinterest and the internet to search for ideas for your photoshoot but, how will you know if those ideas truly reflect your personality and make you look great? The answer: trying.

Days before your photoshoot, practice your facial expressions in front of a mirror at home. Take into consideration aspects such as:

• Which smile makes me look the best?
• Which angles of my face do I like? And which do I dislike?
• How do I like my hair to be done?
• How do I look completely serious?
• What crazy faces can I make?

Practice, practice, practice. Start familiarizing yourself to know what looks best on you.

Also: don’t forget about senior pictures poses. Try standing and sitting positions from a variety of angles. Determine in which ones your body looks the best. If you already know what you are going to wear, think about how you can play with your hands and clothes to create unique poses.

The more you try in front of the mirror, the more natural the outcome will be the day of the senior pictures photoshoot.

Step 2: Confidence

Senior pictures can create nerves and stress for a lot of students, so it is important to work on them so they don’t reflect on the final photos. My advice for reducing stress and nerves is:

Sleep early and relax: One night before probably your mind will be full of thoughts. But relax, you’ve got this and you’re going to look great. Do whatever makes you feel calm: watch a movie, listen to music, drink tea. But the night before must be for you to relax and get ready for the amazing day.

Start slow and gradually increase the pace: If you’re camera shy, the best advice I can give you is to start posing sideways pictures. You’ll get familiarized with the process and start practicing to look directly into the camera.

Bring someone of trust: If you feel better having someone of trust that can guide you telling you senior pictures poses and cheering you up while posing, bring him/her. You’re free to have company if that makes you feel more confident.

Get to know your photographer: To make your senior pictures photoshoot more pleasant, try speaking to your photographer in advance! Learn who they are, their likes and dislikes. This will definitely influence the rhythm of the photoshoot and the final outcomes. Remember also your photographer is an expert, he will guide you and make you feel the most comfortable during the session without doubt. 

Step 3: Play with props, experiment with senior pictures poses

Now that you’re feeling relaxed in your photoshoot, it’s time to get creative! There are many ways you can achieve this:

Look for stairs, doors, alleys, sidewalks, benches, rooftops:  Here you can experiment with on-the-movement poses (walking up, sitting, discovering, looking at the sky) etc.

Add props: Flowers, drinks, books, cars, balloons, chairs, etc. Props are excellent to give your hands something to play with. For example, you can try smelling a flower, pretending you’re reading a book, holding your drink. The options are endless.

Experiment with your hands and body: You’re already there, what’s the worst thing that can happen? A funny picture? Don’t be shy to try changing angles and poses. Some ideas for you are:

• Play with your hair
• Think about happy moments for a genuine smile
• Laugh
• Dance around
• Walk
• Put your hands in your pockets
• Pretend you’re kicking sand
• Go all down to the floor
• Cross your arms
• Lean against a wall
• Hold your clothes
• The thinker pose

To conclude about senior pictures poses

Remember the best senior picture poses and ideas are the ones that help you feel confident and look natural. I hope these tips help you to create the best senior pictures of your life!

Continue reading tips for senior pictures:

5 reasons why senior pictures are a must besides yearbook photos

What to wear for senior pictures: 10 tips for perfect outfits