How To Prep For Your Grad Portraits

Hi Seniors!!

This is a guide of my personal and experiential advice to making the most out of your graduation photos. As many of you know, I provide a purple cap and gown for my TCU senior clients to use at the shoot! However, there are a few other things you can do/bring to make your photos even better!

Step 1: Pick Your Outfits

Outfits are totally up to you, but I always recommend wearing neutral, solid colors for your photos. If you are doing a few outfits, you may want to do a more casual look such as jeans, boots, and a top (or even a Football jersey if you’re feeling sporty), and then a more dressy look such as a white or black dress and heels/wedges! If you are a nurse or an athlete wearing your scrubs or uniform in some of your photos is also a great way to capture your college experience!  For group shoots, a mix of white & denim is always a fun look! Here are some of my favorite looks from past shoots:

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Step 2: Gather Your Props

This is totally optional, but many of my clients like to bring fun props for their grad shoots! Whether it’s champagne, confetti, a stethoscope, a chalkboard or sign, sorority stoles, smoke bombs, balloons, or floaties, having some fun and creative props will definitely make your photos stand out! For confetti, the bigger the better (so get confetti over glitter). You may purchase some on Amazon or at Party City! For champagne screw top or cork top will both work fine! I do provide a purple cap and gown for my shoots!

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Step 3: Get Ready

A lot of my past clients love to do some beauty prep for their shoots. If you’re looking for a nice, natural glow I recommend Cowtown Tanning for a great airbrush spray tan! They even do mobile tans and if you use code “MDFPHOTO” you get a discount!  Make sure to be careful if you use self tanner to not get it on your hands. If you are naturally tanning, be sure to wear sunscreen so you don’t have a sunburn on your shoot day! If you want to get your hair done Dry Bar is always a great option (make sure and use lots of hairspray if it’s a windy day). As far as makeup, it’s best to do a little bit more than your everyday look- maybe add on some false lashes! A more dramatic makeup look shows up nice in photos (even if it is a lot in person).

Step 4: Go!

Now that you are prepared and primped up for your shoot you are ready to get some gorgeous photos taken! Make sure and show up on time, bring a water bottle, and maybe a tote if you have multiple outfit changes. You may also want to bring a brush, lipstick, towlettes, and a pair of sandals to walk around campus easily. 

Can’t wait to shoot with you!!

xoxo

~Merissa