5 Mistakes To Avoid In Senior Photography
All students want to look their best for their senior portrait photographs. It gives them an opportunity to highlight their individual personalities and is useful in making a good first impression in the student’s social circles. Established Winston Salem photographers, Larry Sanders and Roger Bennett offer some insight into some common mistakes that need to be avoided at a senior photo shoot.Mistake #1: Wearing Wrong Clothes
Wearing improper clothing is the first mistake made by many seniors. They choose to wear their favorite clothes for the photo shoot. Failing to check if the clothes are a proper fit will result in a sloppy appearance in the photographs. The perceived weight of an individual increases with the wrong choice in clothing. Students may look 25 pounds heavier in their portraits due to improper fitting clothes.
Choosing clothing that accentuates your best feature gives a pleasant appearance. Pay attention to all factors like body shape, height and weight and choose clothes accordingly.
Mistake #2: Hair Trouble
Many seniors may pay close attention to details in their clothing; however, they forget to groom their hair and wear it in a neat style. A bad hairstyle or a wrong choice of hair styling can have a negative impact on the students’ appearance. Photographers may sometimes request the students to change their hairstyle because the hair covers their faces or seems inappropriate. Don’t try an elaborate hair style because it simply may not reflect your true personality. Your hairstyle should complement your clothing and the real you.
Photographers need to pay attention to the lighting techniques and use lights to illuminate the hair. This way, the hair will be distinct and will not merge with the background.
Mistake #3 - Not Opting for Retouching
Not opting to have senior photographs retouched is a big mistake. Seniors are people with issues like acne problems, moles and zits. These blemishes on their face, hands or legs are sometimes visible in photographs. Many teenagers are conscious of their looks and concerned about these blemishes appearing in the photographs. Make sure that you opt to retouch the photographs before taking the prints from the studio. You need to have a perfect portrait that does not highlight any skin imperfections.
Mistake #4 – Being Nervous In Front Of The Camera
Another common mistake made by seniors is getting nervous in front of the camera. The face has more than 30 muscles that tighten when a person becomes nervous. This tense expression will reflect in the photographs. A professional photographer should try to make a connection with the students by initiating a casual conversation. Explain the steps of the shoot or talk about the student’s passions and interests. This should help the student relax in front of the camera resulting in calm, confident and relaxed expressions for the photographs.
Mistake #5 – Having Limited Time For The Photo Shoot
It takes more than 10-15 minutes to create a good senior portrait. Not allowing enough time for the photo shoot is another mistake committed by seniors. They are typically impatient when it comes to a photo shoot and will want to finish quickly so they can move on with their daily schedules.
Remember the senior portrait will play an important role in their future plans. The portrait should be unique and reflect their individual personality. So devote sufficient time for the photo shoot to get the best result.
We thank Larry Sanders and Roger Bennett, expert photographers in Winston Salem area for their useful insights in the area of senior photography.
