THE
S E N I O R
EXPERIENCE
H E L LO
I’m SO excited about your upcoming senior session with Langat-McGinnis Photography
and that you are officially one of my #LMPClan !!!
Attached to this message is a senior questionnaire to help me learn a little more
about you! This will assist me with choosing your locations, helping you put together
your outfits and making your session experience custom to you. Below is lots of
information regarding hair and makeup, outfit selection, what to expect at your
session, and more.
Please read it thoroughly! Neglecting to read this guide can result in a poor senior portrait
experience, and most frequently asked questions are answered right here in this
guide!
Your session is going to begin at a pre-determined location based on your answers to
this questionnaire. We will meet there approximately 15 minutes before we plan to
start shooting so that I can help you finalize outfit choices! Please try your absolute
best to arrive on time, if not a few minutes early. As a natural light photographer,
your senior session is scheduled around the time that the sun sets. Once the sun is
set, we can no longer shoot. Therefore, if you arrive to your session even 10-
15 minutes late, it will affect the amount of time that we can shoot and the length of
your session! If you are more than 30 minutes late to your session, we will have to
reschedule for my earliest available date.
O U T F I T T I P S
Stuck on what to wear? Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks to help
you guide your outfit choices!
Choosing what you will wear for your photo shoot is a huge decision that can
make or break your portrait session! I know that sounds dramatic…but, if you
accidentally wear something that isn’t flattering on camera or something that
you don’t feel confident in…it can ruin the experience for you! So, here are
some of the best ways to choose what to wear.
1. B E C O M F O R T A B L E
If you do not like fitted clothing (super tight dresses or pieces that fit
awkwardly) then leave them at home! Personally, I try to steer clear of items
that are fitted in the tummy area (don’t we all?) just because it makes me
self-conscious and I’m constantly wondering if it looks bad. So, if there are
pieces in your closet that make you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable,
don’t include them in your senior portrait wardrobe! Additionally, we will
most likely be sitting on the ground, laying down, walking and doing other
things that could be difficult if your clothing is uncomfortable!
2. B E B R I G H T + T H I N K O U T S I D E O F T H E B O X
On camera, solid black + white can make skin tones look very washed out and unflattering. So,
when choosing outfits for your senior session, try to choose colors that POP and that compliment
your hair + skin colors! Primary colors like red, royal blue and yellow photograph beautifully as
well as emerald green, bright purples, pinks, oranges and any other colors that really POP!
Sometimes, color combos that may seem odd in-person end up photographing BEAUTIFULLY on
camera!
3. A D D L A Y E R S
In the cold months (fall + winter), adding layers to your outfits always looks STUNNING in
portraits! A sweater with a flannel underneath paired with a vest + statement necklace or scarf
adds so much dimension to your images and makes for super fun posing options! Even in the
warmer months (spring + summer) you can add these layers + dimension by wearing a tank top
with a cute sheer cardigan or by throwing a denim vest over a dress!
4. P L A Y W I T H T E X T U R E S
Sometimes textures like sequins, furs and sparkles can be considered “daring” or
“over the top” but, in portraits, they are the BEST! Adding texture to your outfit makes the biggest
difference, and it prevents the images from looking dull! Combining textures that you may not
normally use together like sequins + cable knit sweaters or leather + fur make GREAT pairs!
5. D O N ’ T B E A F R A I D T O A C C E S S O R I Z E
During a senior session, or any photo shoot, the more the merrier!! When planning your outfits,
don’t forget to plan accessories!! Stacks of bangles, long necklaces, statement pieces, scarves,
hats, bright shoes and other add-ons can make or break an outfit!
6.
M I X I T U P
When planning your outfits, make sure that you have a VARIETY of looks! I tell
all of my seniors to choose from these categories: casual, cozy, dressy, school-related, sports-
related, preppy or edgy. I always recommend choosing 2-3 of those categories and finding outfits
accordingly. This provides a beautiful array of looks during your senior portrait session, so each
outfit looks dramatically different!
You can also get some “what to wear” inspiration on Pinterest.H A I R A N D M A K E U P
Additionally, I highly recommend investing in professional hair and makeup. If it is in
your budget, hiring a professional for your hair and makeup will make a drastic
difference in the quality of your photos and senior portrait experience. You are
already making a large investment in your senior portrait experience, so why not
make it the best it can be!
1 .T H E Y A R E T R A I N E D P R O F E S S I O N A L
When you are investing in a professional photographer, you want to
make sure that the images look their absolute best. Professional hair + makeup artists
are TRAINED to do hair + makeup so that they photograph well. While your makeup
may look AMAZING in person, it will look completely different on-camera, and these
professionals are trained to know the difference! They will conceal spots you don’t like,
contour your face so
it looks the best in every light, use colors that compliment your skin to make it look
flawless, make your eyes POP with false lashes + shadows, manicure your eyebrows to
perfection and more!
2. LESS S T R E SS
Preparing for a senior portrait session is stressful in and of itself. Trying to do your hair +
makeup by yourself can make things ever harder. Professional camera equipment
is designed to pick up every little detail in an image (even details that the eye can’t see)
so hiring a professional makeup artist is the best way to go.
3 .W H O D O E S N ’ T L I K E B E I N G PA M P E R E D !
I don’t ever want my seniors to feel like their portrait session is just simply “taking
pictures”, I want it to be an EXPERIENCE. So, if my seniors arrive after an hour of
being pampered + beautified, the entire experience
has already started on a good note! If a senior arrives frustrated or stressed, it can
affect the entire experience, including the way you look in photographs!
If this is not in your budget, plan to wear slightly heavier make up than normal,
including blush and lipstick/gloss that are at least slightly darker than your lip color.
I also highly recommend false eyelashes. These can be purchased for very
affordable prices at CVS or any pharmacy in the area.
D O N ’ T NEGLEC T T H E NA I L S !
And, one last tip!! In all of the chaos of senior session prep…don’t forget to pamper
your nails! During your shoot, a lot of the poses we do will have your hands close
to your face and in the frame, so make sure that your nails look just how you want!
Try to avoid any chipped polish or crazy patterns. French manicures, light/natural
colors and even nails with no color at all photograph best!!
Feel free to email me if you have any additional questions at alangat74@gmail.com.
I am SO excited to work together!!!
XOXO, Angela