TIPS FOR GETTING READY FOR SENIOR PORTRAITS

WARDROBE

The right clothing allows your face to dominate the portrait, all other elements in your photo should be secondary. So our goal, is for the face to be the prominent, not the clothes. For this reason we discourage busy patterns and bright colors in your clothing, they will draw the eye to the clothing instead of the subject.
Never wear a lighter colored pant with a darker colored shirt, it will make your bottom half look larger than your top and that is not a good look for males or females.
Short skirts or dresses really limit your posing options, so think carefully before choosing a lot of this type of clothing. It's a good idea to vary your clothing styles, not all of one type.
Big stripes will add at least a dress size to your looks as well as distract from your face, don't wear them.
Big logos across your chest are not only distracting, they're going to date your portraits. Strive for a classic, timeless look, something that will be in style now as well as 20 years from now.
Choose varying styles of clothing. Shirts with different necklines, casual and dressy clothing. Sweaters, and other garments with textures are a good choice if the temperatures allow.
Jackets can be added for a completely different look.
Include scarves and hats to add more different clothing looks.
Wrinkles WILL show up in your portraits. Iron clothes if necessary and bring in on a hanger.
Make sure your clothing is clean.
Plan ahead.
Your senior portraits are only going to be as good as the combined effort of your photographer and you. You cannot expect the photographer to work a miracle and make your clothes perfect if you haven't done your part.
Girls need to try on their clothing with the undergarments they'll be wearing.
We discourage clients from wearing white shirts for most portraits, because white tends to draw the viewer's eye, and distracts your eye from the face of the subject. Bright white tennis shoes will stand out as well.
Long sleeves or sleeveless shirts are best. If you are concerned about the sized of your upper arms, then of course, you'll want to wear long sleeves. Mostly short sleeves visually cut the arm in two, short sleeves should be avoided except in the most casual of photographs, however three-quarter sleeves are fine.

NAILS & POLISH

Girls and guys should have fingernails clean and filed.
Remove chipped nail polish--it will show.
Black and blue fingernail polish keep popping up as a fashion trend. Don't wear either for your senior portraits , it's too trendy. They'll make your fingernails look odd and they'll look even stranger 20 years from now.
Neon polish may draw too much attention and may clash with some outfits. Girls should really stick to neutral tones, light to mid-pink is a good choice.

MAKEUP

Oily skin, especially on your face really is the enemy, oil will show up as unattractive tiny spots in a photo (especially on your forehead).
Wear a foundation makeup that doesn't have oil in it and if you do have oily skin, refresh your makeup translucent powder during the shoot.
Face blotters work well keeping makeup intact.
Don't use makeup with an SPF protection in it for your session. Makeup, or base, or foundation that contains an SPF protection has a reflective quality, i.e. it looks shiny in photos.
Use a fresh tube of mascara so you don't have clumps. Close-up photos will show. Neutral eye colors, such as grays and brown are best. Avoid pastel shades and especially highly frosted shadows.
Don't use eye shadows, lotion, blush, anything with glitter in it. Highly frosted eye shadow will do the same thing, it'll show up as tiny white spots all around your eyes.
If you use lotion of any kind, especially on your face, it will show up as shine.
Chapped or cracked lips are going to show in your portraits. Moisturize your lips before your session.
Don't wear super glossy lipstick or lip gloss because they make huge white spots from the shine on your lips wherever the light hits it.

JEWELRY

It's nice to include special or important jewelry in your portraits, however, keep in mind that too much jewelry can be distracting.
Pendant type necklaces will be tough to keep in the proper place when you move around as you pose.
Organize jewelry by putting them in baggies and slipping them over the coordinating outfit hangers so you won't be hunting around for it.

SHAVING - GIRLS & GUYS

Girls should have shaved under your arms the day of your session. Poses may have hands over head and even wearing a sleeveless top, stubble may show and it won't look pretty.
Boys should make sure to shave their beards for the same reason.

HAIR

Don't use a lot of hairspray, gel or other products in your hair.
Your hair should move with you when you tilt your head and blow nicely in the breeze. Hair spray can be used to tame fly-a-ways on top of your head or keep hair out of your face.
Don't forget to take your pony-tail holder off of your wrist.
Don't get a last minute haircut or hairstyle change. Give your hair a week or so to grow in a bit from a haircut.

SUN TANNING

Sunburns are nearly impossible to fix or retouch.
Suntan lines are also tricky, so you should vary your shirt sleeves and bathing suit tops when tanning to avoid lines.
Don't spray tan before a session, it will photography orange and it will blotchy, darker in the knees, elbows, hairline, and other dry areas.
It's best not to over-tan, even if you do your tanning in the sun. There's a reason models do not tan much. Untanned or lightly tanned skin looks better.

EXCEPTIONS

Of course there are always exceptions, if your favorite outfit in the world falls under any of these categories, bring it and we'll use it for a few poses with a carefully chosen background.

WHAT TO BRING

Bring more outfits than you need. That way we can help pick outfits that are more flattering.
Try to be prepared to change outfits quickly. That way we can spend more time shooting photos. Have accessories ready in baggies like previously discussed.
Have a friend or family member come along to help fix hair and outfits.
Bring props. Whatever your hobbies may be, music, sports, we can incorporate it into any photo.
Bring a favorite CD with your music.
Bring photos from magazines or websites that you like. You'll be sure to get the poses you like. If not, we can definitely take charge of the posing, no worries with that, we are the professionals.

DEFINITION - Urban Legend.

n. Folklore consisting of stories often thought to be factual by those circulating them. Urban legends are often distorted, or false, and are exaggerated or sensationalized.

URBAN LEGEND

The same photographer who takes your yearbook picture must also take your senior pictures.

This is simply not true.

Unfortunately, people often believe they must purchase ALL their senior pictures from the same studio that takes their yearbook picture. In fact, you are free to choose the photographer who will take the pictures that you hand out to friends, send out with graduation announcements, and display at home for years to come. Instead of getting stuck with senior pictures that look identical to everyone else, seize the opportunity to have photos that portray your unique personality. We let you decide how and where you would like to be photographed, encouraging you to have fun, and most importantly, be yourself!

Call us today to chat about Ritch Fuhrer Photography has to offer for your high school senior portrait. Call us at (602) 680-9031 or email ritch@ritchfuhrerphotography.com.

TIPS FOR GETTING READY FOR SENIOR PORTRAITS

WARDROBE

Never wear a lighter colored pant with a darker colored shirt, it will make your bottom half look larger than your top and that is not a good look for males or females.

Short skirts or dresses really limit your posing options, so think carefully before choosing a lot of this type of clothing. It's a good idea to vary your clothing styles, not all of one type.

Big stripes will add at least a dress size to your looks as well as distract from your face, don't wear them.

Big logos across your chest are not only distracting, they're going to date your portraits. Strive for a classic, timeless look, something that will be in style now as well as 20 years from now.

Choose varying styles of clothing. Shirts with different necklines, casual and dressy clothing. Sweaters, and other garments with textures are a good choice if the temperatures allow.

Jackets can be added for a completely different look.

Include scarves and hats to add more different clothing looks.

Wrinkles WILL show up in your portraits. Iron clothes if necessary and bring in on a hanger.

Make sure your clothing is clean.

Plan ahead.

Your senior portraits are only going to be as good as the combined effort of your photographer and you. You cannot expect the photographer to work a miracle and make your clothes perfect if you haven't done your part.

Girls need to try on their clothing with the undergarments they'll be wearing.

We discourage clients from wearing white shirts for most portraits, because white tends to draw the viewer's eye, and distracts your eye from the face of the subject. Bright white tennis shoes will stand out as well.

NAILS & POLISH

Girls and guys should have fingernails clean and filed.

Remove chipped nail polish--it will show.

Black and blue fingernail polish keep popping up as a fashion trend. Don't wear either for your senior portraits , it's too trendy. They'll make your fingernails look odd and they'll look even stranger 20 years from now.

Neon polish may draw too much attention and may clash with some outfits. Girls should really stick to neutral tones, light to mid-pink is a good choice.

MAKEUP

Oily skin, especially on your face really is the enemy, oil will show up as unattractive tiny spots in a photo (especially on your forehead).

Wear a foundation makeup that doesn't have oil in it and if you do have oily skin, refresh your makeup translucent powder during the shoot.

Face blotters work well keeping makeup intact.

Don't use makeup with an SPF protection in it for your session. Makeup, or base, or foundation that contains an SPF protection has a reflective quality, i.e. it looks shiny in photos.

Use a fresh tube of mascara so you don't have clumps. Close-up photos will show. Neutral eye colors, such as grays and brown are best. Avoid pastel shades and especially highly frosted shadows.

Don't use eye shadows, lotion, blush, anything with glitter in it. Highly frosted eye shadow will do the same thing, it'll show up as tiny white spots all around your eyes.

If you use lotion of any kind, especially on your face, it will show up as shine.

Chapped or cracked lips are going to show in your portraits. Moisturize your lips before your session.

Don't wear super glossy lipstick or lip gloss because they make huge white spots from the shine on your lips wherever the light hits it.

JEWELRY

It's nice to include special or important jewelry in your portraits, however, keep in mind that too much jewelry can be distracting.

Pendant type necklaces will be tough to keep in the proper place when you move around as you pose.

Organize jewelry by putting them in baggies and slipping them over the coordinating outfit hangers so you won't be hunting around for it.

SHAVING - GIRLS & GUYS

Girls should have shaved under your arms the day of your session. Poses may have hands over head and even wearing a sleeveless top, stubble may show and it won't look pretty.

Boys should make sure to shave their beards for the same reason.

HAIR

Don't use a lot of hairspray, gel or other products in your hair.

Your hair should move with you when you tilt your head and blow nicely in the breeze. Hair spray can be used to tame fly-a-ways on top of your head or keep hair out of your face.

Don't forget to take your pony-tail holder off of your wrist.

Don't get a last minute haircut or hairstyle change. Give your hair a week or so to grow in a bit from a haircut.

SUN TANNING

Sunburns are nearly impossible to fix or retouch.

Suntan lines are also tricky, so you should vary your shirt sleeves and bathing suit tops when tanning to avoid lines.

Don't spray tan before a session, it will photography orange and it will blotchy, darker in the knees, elbows, hairline, and other dry areas.

It's best not to over-tan, even if you do your tanning in the sun. There's a reason models do not tan much. Untanned or lightly tanned skin looks better.

EXCEPTIONS

Of course there are always exceptions, if your favorite outfit in the world falls under any of these categories, bring it and we'll use it for a few poses with a carefully chosen background.

WHAT TO BRING

Bring more outfits than you need. That way we can help pick outfits that are more flattering.

Try to be prepared to change outfits quickly. That way we can spend more time shooting photos. Have accessories ready in baggies like previously discussed.

Have a friend or family member come along to help fix hair and outfits.

Bring props. Whatever your hobbies may be, music, sports, we can incorporate it into any photo.

Bring a favorite CD with your music.

Bring photos from magazines or websites that you like. You'll be sure to get the poses you like. If not, we can definitely take charge of the posing, no worries with that, we are the professionals.

DEFINITION - Urban Legend.

n. Folklore consisting of stories often thought to be factual by those circulating them. Urban legends are often distorted, or false, and are exaggerated or sensationalized.

URBAN LEGEND

The same photographer who takes your yearbook picture must also take your senior pictures.

This is simply not true.

Call us today to chat about Ritch Fuhrer Photography has to offer for your high school senior portrait. Call us at (602) 680-9031 or email ritch@ritchfuhrerphotography.com.