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STYLE GUIDE
LISA MARIE WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
Colors, Clothes, Accessories, and more!
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Welcome
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
I'm so excited to be working with you and I can’t wait for our time together during your senior session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. I always tell people that I still get nervous before having my photo taken - and I do this for a living!
I'm big fan of senior sessions for a few reasons. First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera. It takes time for most anyone to warm up to being photographed and understand how I pose. All that said, the most important part is that you have FUN & that's what I'm here for!
I’ll cover what to wear, what colors and styles look amazing on camera, location ideas and more!
- Lisa
Senior sessions can take place anywhere from immediately beginning your Junior year to just a few weeks before the deadline. I’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. I normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a senior has in mind, snowy mountains for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour and a half or two hours and when when I can—I love to begin sessions about two hours before sunset. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
I schedule sessions during what I believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, I could run out of light before I've finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
While I shoot most senior sessions between June and late October, sessions can take place all year. Most of my seniors choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Seasons
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Winter
snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats
If you’re planning to take your senior photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, I could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
Summer
hikes up in the mountains
I adore the summer in Telluride! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your senior photos during the summer, it does occasionally get pretty toasty, so I recommend bringing extra makeup and a hand towel to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
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Outfits
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST
Generally seniors pick two to three outfits for a session: a formal outfit and a few different casual outfits. I recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, when you usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera. And don’t forget to bring a few accesorries! Statement necklaces, earrings, cute shoes and fun hats are great ways to add detail to outfits.
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Heels lengthen legs & look amazing, but if they aren’t comfortable, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into! Depending on the weather, bring a pair of your favorite high heels, heeled boots, booties, or cowyboy boots. Try & avoid open toed sandals. If it's summer time, you may just want some shots barefoot.
I recommend choosing long, flowy dresses or skirts because they’re flattering on all body types, look amazing on camera and bring extra movement and dimension to your photos.
When choosing colors, I recommend selecting lighter, neutral tones and more muted shades. Bright, bold or neon colors can tend to be distracting. You can never go wrong with colors like cream, taupe, camel or light gray. The camera loves shades of soft pinks and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light- colored neutrals. That softer, more pastel-leaning color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments.
Wardrobe Tips
ACCESSORIES
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images.
Whether it’s a necklace, belt, bracelet, earrings, hat, scarf, or jacket, bringing an accessory or two can bring great visual interest to your photos, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention when paired together.
For example, if you go with bolder earnings, you might want to choose a more humble necklace, or maybe even no necklace at all.
Accessories
ACCESSORIES
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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Senior sessions are the perfect time for a hair and makeup trial! Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup. They also tend to hold up better for humitiy and wind.
I think it’s so important that you look and feel your best for your senior photos!
Hair & Makeup
ACCESSORIES
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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There will probably be times during your session when I'm shooting your hands up close by your face or holding your necklace - which means it’s a good idea to clean up your nails before your session.
Manicure
ACCESSORIES
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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You can’t go wrong with a nice sweater or jacket. Consider pulling out that suit you had to wear last time you went to a formal dance!
Layer with a blazer and a fun tie - you can even wear jeans with this look.
Bowties are always a fun idea.
Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin.
Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months.
Wardrobe
Outfits
for the gents
Inclement Weather
what to do if it rains
It’s typical for me to schedule two senior session dates. A primary date and a rain/snow date. Having two dates helps me make sure that your photos happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tough and I’ve found that the best way to make sure you get the look you have in mind for your photos is to schedule two dates at the same time.
I’ll check in the week of your senior session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for your senior session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain.
Let me know what works best for you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.
Props
hats are always a good idea
If you’re planning to bring props to your senior session, I recommend including them only if you're comfortable with them! If you're a dancer & want to wear your toe shoes in the middle of main street in Telluride, that's amazing! I just want to make sure you are super comfortable and confident trying out something a little out of the norm.
When it comes to posing for your senior session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to look great on camera & might just make you laugh - and that’s the photo I'm actually looking for.
Throughout your session, I’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
"What do I do with
my hands"?
"What do I do
with my hands"?
POSING
As soon as possible after your session is complete, I’ll start working on editing your session. Unless I have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your senior photos between 7 and 10 days after your session.
When to Expect Your Images
I know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your senior session! However if there is something I missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email
or call me!
