So, How Do you Prepare?

If you chose Songs of Life as your photographer, we will be your guide and help you every step of the way. We will help you choose outfits and special, meaningful items that you want to use in your session. We will be your trusted advisor to help plan everything from the very first phone call all the way to the last time we are together.

In the meantime, though, here are a few tips that will help you start thinking about how to prepare for your session so it can be the best one ever.

CLOTHING

We recommend wearing clothing that reflects your personality and that you feel comfortable in. Usually 2-3 outfits are best, as it is better to not spend a good part of your time changing. Sometimes, "comfortable" means sweat pants and a sweatshirt, and this is ok! Sometimes it means a more formal outfit, a more casual one, and something that reflects your activities from high school.

Are you in band? Sports? Or something else? All activities usually have specific attire that is welcomed during your session, along with any items related to it. Perhaps you have a dress or suit that you would like to wear. Wearing something more formal will give your images a totally different look than jeans and a sweater, and both will add to the variety in your session.

Wearing layers is also a good idea! You can often create several different "looks" just by taking off a jean jacket or adding a hat or scarf.

We recommend choosing two colors that are complimentary to each other such as navy and gold, then adding a pop of color to create a great color scheme. Perhaps you have a gold sweater, jeans and a brown hat. Add a jean jacket for another look. Take off the hat and jean jacket and you have another one! Doing all these things will help you have a good variety and options in your session.

SCHEDULE AS EARLY AS YOU CAN

A great way to secure your spot is to schedule the session about one to two months ahead of time. Especially in the fall. Most of the time, senior photos are taken the end of junior year or over the summer as senior year is often extremely busy. If you want a fall session, schedule that as soon as possible to plan ahead. Most people love the changing colors and want that look for their outside sessions, so times fill up quickly. But, if you simply cannot schedule it ahead of time, just schedule when you can. Last minute sessions are welcome at Songs of Life as we just want you to have one!

DEFINE YOUR WHY

Often, having a senior photo session is just another thing to check off a list. But, WHY is it important to you and your loved ones? Knowing your why will help you have a much better session, so it can be unique to you!

Ask yourself why is this important to you? To your parents? How to you want to commemorate all the hard work you have put in over the years? Sometimes the answer to these questions is just to honor your parents wishes, and that is extremely commendable. You might have no interest at all. If that is the case, we think that honoring your parents in this way will not only help them during this time of transition, but will someday touch your heart as well. We have seen that happen.

Perhaps you want to truly celebrate finishing school or want to be sure you have some documentation of all your hard work and accomplishments.

Also ask yourself-what do I want to have as a tangible piece of MY history from senior year? Or, what do your family members wish they had? (rather than digital imagery which is not archival)

We think having a tangible piece of your history is extremely valuable. And your senior year will one day be a part of your history. Ask yourself, WHY? WHY is this important?

We think it is important because ten years from now when you want to reminisce with friends from high school, you might just have faded memories in your mind. You will not have a photo or album to go through with your friends. There is nothing to see, touch or share with them because you only have the faded memories.

Once you can define your why, you can start planning to tell the story of YOU in the best way possible.