When it comes to your senior portrait experience, there are so many things to think about, it can be a little overwhelming. Choosing the right outfits with all of the accessories to finish each look…  Deciding on the perfect way to style your hair and have your makeup done…  Selecting the ideal location that not only fits your style, but also fits your personality…  Truth is, the first two are much easier to tackle, as you face these tasks on a daily basis.  But when it comes to location, it’s a little more difficult to overcome.

There are several different types of locations to choose from, each offering a variety of options within them.  There are a few things for you to keep in mind before choosing:

1. What will you be wearing?
It might seem silly that you would need to know this BEFORE choosing, but I believe that your senior portraits should be an honest reflection of who you are. How you dress is one of the ways you tell the world who you are, your unique fashion sense should be showcased in your images. If you’re a fabulous Fashionista who knows how to rock a pair of heels, you may want to avoid shooting in a tall field of grass- not only will we not see your shoes- you will also have trouble walking. Not that your outfits have to be perfectly matched to your location, but it’s good when they are complimentary.

2. When you think about your images, what do you picture?
You’ve likely spent some time on Pinterest, Google and Flickr looking at thousands of senior pictures, which is great! So, what caught your eye? A killer urban location with graffiti, a lush garden with lots of gorgeous color or a simple, wide open field at sunset? If you are drawn to something specific, let’s talk about it! The beautiful thing about your senior session with us, is that we can customize and tailor it to perfection, just for you.

3. What DON’T you want?
This is just as important as what you do want. If there are certain locations or things you strongly want to avoid, don’t be afraid to tell us! We want to know.

So, what kind of locations are there? Ultimately, there are about 6 types of locations to choose from, each offering something different from the next. To simplify it, I’ve included each of them below with a little description to help you choose the perfect setting for your senior portraits.

COUNTRY
Wheat fields, wide open spaces, orchards and a quaint little barn. The simplicity of this location allows your images to remain timeless and nondescript. There are several locations to work with in a Country setting, it usually requires a bit of walking. Sundresses, shorts, vintage tees, skinny jeans and boots are perfect for this location!

INDUSTRIAL
Vacant warehouses, loading docks and distressed buildings. The raw elements of shooting in an Industrial setting is always very exciting. The contrast between your beautiful self and the rough surrounds is like a match made in Heaven. If have a little sass and are looking to make a statement, this is your ideal location. Pretty much anything goes in terms of wardrobe, just make sure to bring a flirty dress and a pair of heels.

NATURAL
Expansive parks, lush and colorful gardens, waterfalls, shimmering lakes and beautiful beaches. When working in a Natural setting, the locations tend to already be breathtaking, which lends itself well to portraits. I suggest bringing at least one outfit you can sit in easily. Heels are about the only thing that can cause headaches, other than that, bring whatever your heart desires.

RUSTIC
Weathered buildings, small towns, old store-fronts and old cars/trucks. You might feel like you’ve stepped back in time when working in a Rustic location. This type of setting is one of my favorites, we can easily lose ourselves to the surroundings and simply explore. In terms of wardrobe, I suggest that mixing it up and bring a little of everything- you never know what we might find.

URBAN
Brick buildings, back alleys, colorful graffiti and bustling city sidewalks. Absolutely perfect for the Carrie Bradshaw-esque Fashionistas who live for the hustle and bustle the city has to offer. Dresses, flirty skirts, sequin tops and heels should be on your must-bring list. Bold, bright colors can really make a statement and will compliment the endless amounts of concrete we will encounter.

COLLECTIVE
A little bit of everything, new and old buildings, trees, alleys, open space and everything in-between. This is the perfect location if you are a little indecisive and want a mix of looks for your senior portraits. Bring a variety of looks, as we will be working with several different types of locations during your session.

No matter what location you choose, each will offer a ton of versatility and options in terms of posing aids (stairs, walls, doorways, etc.) and lighting.  All of the images shown in this post were photographed in the same location, though you wouldn’t necessarily know that by looking at the pictures.  I did this to demonstrate how we customize each session around the personality of our clients, how and where we pose you will all depend on you.  :)

I hope you are really excited about having your senior session with us, we can’t wait to work with you!!  Haven’t booked your senior session with Holli True, yet?  There’s still time!  Contact us for additional info now!  Much love!