All the Best Information About Your Senior Portraits in Carmel, Indiana

 
Welcome to L. Severson Photography.  Thanks for checking out some of my best senior pictures from the Carmel area and reading through some of the questions people ask when they’re preparing for their senior portrait session.  People ask frequently, “what do I need to know about senior pictures?”  Great question! 

Senior portraits are near and dear to me.  I’ve been photographing seniors in Carmel, Indiana for more than 20 years.  In fact, some of the children I’ve photographed as babies are now back in the portrait studio for their senior pictures.  It’s so fun as an Indianapolis photographer to follow these fabulous people through the years and watch babies grow into adults.

I’d like to answer all of your questions about scheduling and planning your senior pictures in Carmel, so let’s get started.  

If you’re most interested in affordable pricing for your senior pictures in Carmel, click here.

If you’d like to see some of my best senior portraits,  visit the gallery here.

If you’re ready to schedule your Carmel senior portrait session, click here.

When should I have my Carmel senior portraits taken?

Most students have their senior pictures taken in the summer prior to their senior year.  Some will elect to schedule their senior photographer for the Fall.  However, senior portrait sessions in the Fall can be a bit tricky.  The weather is unpredictable, and the wind can be an issue, kicking up clothing and long hair.  Plus once school starts, students’ schedules typically fill out, making it more difficult to make time for your senior portrait session.  Summer offers a wider variety of looks and a more favorable weather conditions for your senior portrait session, so I highly recommend your schedule your senior portraits in the summer.

 

Where in Carmel will we take my senior pictures?

There are so many wonderful, perfect senior portrait locations in the Indianapolis area.  Too many to list.  Since I’ve been photographing Indianapolis-area seniors for more than 20 years, I know all the perfect spots for senior pictures in Carmel, Westfield, Noblesville, Indianapolis and around.  Once we start planning your senior pictures, we’ll pick out the perfect places based on your vision for your senior portraits.  Call the studio to plan your senior portrait session and we’ll talk more about the best place to have your senior pictures taken in Indianapolis.

 

What’s the best time to schedule my senior portrait session in Carmel?

I recommend that you schedule your senior portraits about a month prior to the date you would like to have your senior pictures taken.  Keep in mind that most students choose to have their senior pictures taken outdoors, where people look more relaxed and natural, and due to the unpredictability of the weather, reschedules and delays are a possibility.  

 

Do you have a studio in Carmel for my senior photoshoot?

My studio is not in Carmel.  It’ is in Noblesville.  However, most of my senior portrait clients prefer outdoor senior pictures to indoor photoshoots.   For that reason, we suggest that you plan for an outdoor senior portrait session.  However, if a studio senior portrait session is what you want, that is what we’ll do!

Why bother getting senior portraits taken?

I get it.  Some people wonder, “what is a senior portrait for?”  Many wonder why they should bother having their senior portraits taken.  However, senior pictures are a wonderful way to document a wonderful milestone and accomplishment in your life.  And those of us with a few more years under our belt know how fun it is to go back and look at our portraits from some of the best years of our lives.

Will you tell me what to wear for senior pictures?

That’s a great question!  And one I hear often.  The outfits you choose for your senior portrait session should be outfits that reflect your vibe and personality.  My senior portrait clients typically will choose multiple outfits, some dressier, some more casual.  You can also choose to include a sports uniform as one of your senior picture clothing choices.  Remember, choose clothing that reflects your taste and style for your senior pictures.  

Clothing with pockets is great, as it gives you something natural to do with your hands.  Hats, sunglasses, jewelry, scarves and other accessories are also a fun way to jazz up your senior pictures.  

It’s great to layer clothing for your senior pictures.  Jackets that can come off, sweaters over shirts, high school letter jackets, and vests add depth and richness to your senior photos.  

You must plan your senior portrait clothing from head to toe.  Even the socks might show during in your senior portraits, so please think carefully about what you will wear for your senior pictures and plan everything perfectly.  

If you need help or advice when deciding what to wear for your senior portraits, no problem!  Many of my senior portrait clients will send photos of their outfit selections to me prior to their senior photoshoot.  I’m always happy to give me feedback on your choices and help you put together senior picture outfits that are best for you.

Also, make sure you iron your senior portrait clothing prior to your session.  Wrinkles can make you look sloppy, and it is not something easily edited out of your senior pictures.  It is also not something that I edit for free.  If your clothing is wrinkled and you want it corrected, there is an additional fee for this service.  So check all our your senior portrait outfits prior to your portrait session and make sure they’re all perfectly pressed.

How should I style my hair for my senior portrait session?

Make sure your hair is freshly cut, but not too freshly.  It’s risky, especially for boys,  to get a haircut within a few days of their senior portrait session.  It’s best to get a haircut a couple weeks prior, which gives it a bit of time to grow out if the cut is a bit shorter than you like.

Many of the girls who come for senior portraits will have their hair professionally styled for their session.  Again, this is a personal preference, and it does not come without risks.  What happens if you don’t like the style?  I suggest that if you choose to have your hair professionally styled for your senior portrait session, you do a practice run-through prior to the date of your senior pictures, so you can make sure you are happy with the style.

Should I wear makeup for my senior pictures?

If you are a girl who typically wears makeup, then you should wear makeup for your senior portrait session.  If you don’t normally wear makeup, you can come without, or choose to play around with a light layer of makeup to accentuate your fabulous features.  It’s important that you look like you though!  If you plan to do your own makeup, don’t over do it.  Keep your makeup plan similar to what you wear on a daily basis.  

Some people choose to have their makeup done professionally for their senior portraits.  This is fine too.  Again, I would recommend that you have pictures of your regular makeup ready to show to the makeup artist, and that you ask your local makeup artist to stick close to your regular makeup style.  I would also suggest that you schedule a practice makeup session with your makeup artist so that you are sure that you like the way you look.

I have acne.  Should I wait until it clears up before scheduling my senior photoshoot?

No.  If I waited until my acne cleared up, I would have had my senior portraits taken in my late 30s.  Photoshop is a wonderful tool that can correct blemishes, pimples, and other unfortunate temporary skin issues.  So bring your perfectly perfect face, and we’ll take care of any skin issues.  If you do have any other skin concerns, like a temporary rash, a bad sunburn, or peeling skin, I do recommend you postpone your senior pictures until the issue has cleared up.

What about glasses?  Should I wear them for my senior portrait session?

If you typically wear glasses, then you should wear them for your senior portrait session.  Remember, you want to look like you!  However, there are a few things you should think about.  If you have glass lenses that turn dark when you are outside, you should have them changed out to clear lenses prior to your senior pictures.  Also, if you have glasses that are super glary, I also recommend that you have those lenses changed out to non-glare temporary lenses prior to your portrait session so that we can see your eyes clearly.

I love my pet! Can I bring him to my senior portrait session?

Pets in senior portraits are perfectly fine.  Some of the best senior portraits can be those with your beloved dog or cat, so certainly considering including your pet in your senior portrait session.  You will want to make sure that your pet has a comfortable, safe place to rest when we are done photographing him, so please plan accordingly.

I love my family too!  Can I have family portraits taken during my senior photography session?

Absolutely!  I offer an opportunity to add a family portrait mini session to your senior portrait session.  These family portraits are not counted towards your senior session.  They’re a great way to update your family portrait before students leave for college.