As a photographer, senior photos are some of the most fun sessions I offer. Teenagers are so entertaining to work with and I love it when our shoot turns into a laid-back hangout. As we come up on the start of a new school year in a few months, it’s time to start booking senior sessions!

Just like any session, location plays a big part in the planning of your senior’s photos. It can represent so much of who they are and what they like to do. The setting can also complement their personality and outfit. Finding the perfect location for each of your seniors is essential!

In this blog post, I want to share some of my best tips for selecting a location for senior photos, along with a few helpful pieces of advice!

Get to know the client’s personality.

Senior photos are a reflection of each kid’s unique personality and interests. They’re a celebration of everything that makes them special! Before you make any decisions about location, get to know your client’s interests! Choosing a backdrop that represents something that is special to them will make their senior photos unforgettable.

If they have any location-specific hobbies, look into taking photos there. This could look like a high-school field for a football player, an outdoor pool for a lifeguard, or a pottery studio for an artist. If you photograph your senior at a location that’s directly related to their interests, they may also want to incorporate props or dress in their uniform. 

Ask your client if they have a location in mind. 

Sometimes seniors will have a specific idea of what they want their photos to look like. Maybe they’ve been planning this occasion for a long time, or they might have seen an older friend’s pictures and want to do something similar. Regardless of the reasoning, it’s always a good idea to get their input! 

For seniors who don’t want a specific theme or have any location preferences in mind, there are so many options to consider! Botanic gardens or natural preserves in your area are always beautiful backdrops for senior photos. Or if your city has a cute downtown district, urban shoots are fun options as well. When in doubt, rely on locations you’ve shot at before.

Look for the best lighting.

Whether you’re taking photos of your senior at the local tennis courts or in a local park, your priority should be finding good lighting. If you’re shooting somewhere you haven’t worked at before, plan to scout out that location at the time of day when your session is scheduled the day or two beforehand. Find the best areas for your client to stand. Being outdoors is usually a safe bet for great lighting, but you may need to experiment with angles that will provide the best lighting.

Be as prepared as possible (both you and your client!).

The key to a successful senior session comes down to preparation on your part! When you’re prepared, you can think of ways to help your senior feel prepared as well. In addition to scouting your location, research whether or not you’ll need to schedule a reservation, apply for a permit, or pay an entrance fee. Seniors usually have pretty packed calendars, so find a time and location that is convenient for their availability, and budget.

Create a plan B in case of bad weather.

A good rule of thumb for any outdoor session you plan, senior or not, is to come up with an alternate plan in case of poor weather. While you’re planning, take the predicted forecast into account and know what time the sunrise/sunset occurs. You can’t control the weather, but you can prepare your client for what you’ll do if your original location won’t work.

Ultimately, the goal of your senior sessions is to create something that your client will love. Graduating high school is a huge occasion, and these photos should celebrate that! I hope this post helps set you up for success. I can’t wait to see what you do!