A Step-by-Step Look at the Senior Portrait Experience
If you’ve never had professional photos taken before, the idea of a senior photo session might feel a little intimidating. What actually happens? How long does it take? What do you wear? Will you look awkward? As a senior photographer with nearly 25 years of experience in the Indianapolis and Carmel area, I’ve heard every question and concern in the book. So let me walk you through exactly what to expect, from the moment you book to the moment your final portraits land in your inbox.
Step 1: Choose the Senior Photoshoot That’s Right for You
Not all senior sessions are created equal, and that’s completely by design. Different seniors have different needs, budgets, and visions for what they want their portraits to look like. Here’s how my sessions break down:
The Mini Session is quick and focused, making it perfect if you want a handful of beautiful portraits without a big time commitment. The Basic Session, on the other hand, gives you a solid variety of looks without going all-out. If you want even more variety, the Full Session is where we really get to explore different looks, locations, and expressions. And finally, the Ultimate Senior Session is the full experience, with multiple outfits, multiple locations, and portraits that truly tell your whole story.
One more thing worth knowing before you decide: if your family has been putting off getting updated family portraits, your senior’s session is the perfect opportunity to knock it out at the same time. I offer a family portrait add-on to any senior session for just $99, which gets your whole family photographed together while everyone is already dressed, hair is done, and you’re all in one place. Families tell me all the time they’re so glad they added it on.
Step 2: We Plan Your Senior Pictures Together
Before your session, we’ll have a planning conversation about what you’re envisioning. This is honestly one of my favorite parts of the whole process, because every single senior is different and I love learning what makes each one of them who they are.
First, we’ll talk about the look you’re going for. Are you smiley and fun? Serious and editorial? A mix of both? From there, we’ll discuss your backgrounds, whether you love lush green trees, brick walls, architectural details, or wide open flower fields. After 25 years of shooting throughout the Indianapolis area, I know exactly which locations will match your outfits and your vibe. Finally, we’ll talk about your outfits, because the right clothing choices make an enormous difference in how your portraits turn out.
I also love when families come in with ideas of their own. As Katie Barbour shared after her daughter’s session, “We had some ideas we shared with Leah prior to the session and she had locations picked for us and suggestions of where to buy items for our pictures.” That collaborative approach is exactly how I like to work. If you’re already thinking about what to wear, check out my What to Wear for Senior Portraits guide.
Step 3: The Senior Portrait Experience — You’re Going to Have Fun
Here’s what I want every senior to know before they show up: you do not need to know how to pose. You do not need to be a model. You do not need to feel comfortable in front of a camera. That is my job, and it’s the part of this work I love most.
After nearly 25 years of photographing seniors of every personality, background, and body type, I know how to pose you in a way that looks natural and flattering. Moreover, I know how to help you nail your expressions, whether that’s a relaxed smile, a confident look, or something totally unique to you. As a result, the whole experience feels easy and genuinely fun, even if you walked in feeling nervous.
Nancy Kendall, whose teen I photographed recently, put it simply: “Made my teen feel relaxed. Beautiful pictures!!” Similarly, Anne Wischmeier said her daughter’s session was “so much fun,” noting that the location choices paired perfectly with her daughter’s outfits and that the images turned out better than she could have imagined. And Beth Myers shared that her son found the whole process “relaxed and rewarding.”
That’s not an accident. Making seniors feel comfortable and confident is the whole point, and it’s something I work at intentionally every single session.
What Happens if it Rains?
One practical note worth mentioning: if it rains on your scheduled day, we simply reschedule. I do have a studio available for indoor sessions, but in my experience most seniors prefer the organic, natural feel of outdoor portraits. Because of that, I’ll always make sure conditions are right before we shoot. Speaking of conditions, if you haven’t already figured out the best season for your session, my post on when to take senior pictures breaks down every season honestly so you can make the right call for your family.
Step 4: Choosing Your Favorite Senior Portraits
About two weeks after your session, you’ll receive an email with a link to your proof gallery. This is where you’ll browse through your senior pictures and select your favorites. Take your time with this part, because there’s no rush and this is where the fun really starts for most families.
Once you’ve made your picks, your chosen portraits move into the editing process. Every single image is carefully retouched, with acne removed, lighting perfected, and every detail polished. The goal is simple: you should look like the very best version of yourself. Not fake, not over-filtered, just genuinely you at your best.
Step 5: Your Final Senior Portrait Gallery
After editing is complete, you’ll receive a new link to your final gallery. From there you can download your digital images directly, share the gallery link with family and friends who want their own downloads, or order professional prints shipped straight to your door. Additionally, every session includes full reprint rights, so you can print and share as many times as you like without ever coming back to me for permission.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Senior Session
The biggest thing that separates a good senior session from a great one is preparation. Here’s my honest advice after 25 years of doing this.
Plan Your Outfits Like You Mean It
This is the single most impactful thing you can do to elevate your portraits. Bring variety, different styles, different colors, and different levels of formality. A casual look, a dressy look, and something in between is a great starting point. What to avoid: showing up with one pair of jeans and three similar tops. Variety is what gives your gallery range and makes your portraits feel dynamic and interesting rather than repetitive.
Make Sure Your Clothes Are Wrinkle-Free
It sounds like a small thing, but wrinkled clothing shows up clearly in photos. Because of this, give your outfits a once-over the night before your session and hang anything that needs it.
Bring Your Accessories
Hats, sunglasses, jewelry, scarves — if you love it, bring it. Accessories add personality and give us even more variety to work with during your session. In fact, the seniors who come in with a bag full of accessories almost always end up with the most dynamic galleries.
Know Your Location Options
One of the questions I get most often during planning is where to shoot. The Indianapolis and Carmel area has some genuinely incredible spots, and knowing what’s available helps you plan your outfits around your locations rather than the other way around. My guide to the best locations for senior portraits in Carmel covers all of my favorites with details on what makes each one work photographically.
Come Ready to Have Fun
Seriously. The seniors who walk in relaxed and ready to enjoy the experience always walk away with the best portraits. Don’t overthink it. Don’t stress about your skin, your weight, your hair, or whether you’ll know what to do. I’ve got all of that covered. Your only job is to show up and be yourself.
A Few Questions I Hear All the Time
“My skin isn’t great right now — will that show in my pictures?” Not at all. Retouching is a standard part of my editing process. As a result, acne, blemishes, and uneven skin tone are all addressed in every single portrait. Your skin will look flawless.
“What if it rains?” We reschedule, simple as that. I’d rather wait for great light and great conditions than push through bad weather and settle for portraits that are anything less than what you deserve.
“Can I bring my dog?” Yes, absolutely. Dogs make for some of the most fun and memorable senior portraits I shoot all year. Just let me know in advance so we can plan the right locations.
Ready to Book Your Senior Pictures?
Senior portraits are one of those things you only get to do once. Furthermore, after 25 years of capturing this milestone for families across the Indianapolis area, I can tell you with confidence that done right, these pictures become treasures your family holds onto for the rest of your lives. As Katie Barbour said after her daughter’s session, “I would highly recommend L. Severson Portraits.” That kind of trust means everything to me, and it’s something I work hard to earn with every single senior I photograph.
If you want a complete overview of everything involved in planning the perfect session from start to finish, the ultimate guide to senior pictures covers it all in one place. And when you’re ready to get on the calendar, reach out through my senior pictures page or call the studio directly at 317-867-3723. I’d love to help.
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