Tips on Taking Senior Portraits

Here are 5 tips that can take senior portraits to the next level and ensure that they look balanced, with the focus is on the individuals.

1. Look for leading lines to draw the viewer's eye to the subject

   1. These can be structural elements, or lines in nature that bring more attention to the person being photographed. Staircases, walkways, beams, and paths can all be used to frame the subject. Also using natural lines like trees and floral elements can also be helpful in the background to bring the senior to the foreground.

2. Choose an appropriate lens length

   1. Many agree that a 85 mm lens is best for close up portraits. Using the wrong one for close up shots especially can lead to distorted images, which nobody wants their head to look larger than it is in real life!

3. Work with the weather conditions

   1. Sometimes you schedule a session with someone and the weather tends to have a mind of it's own. The direction of the sun is a major factor of where shadows hit the subject and how they can change how the person looks. Also, you want to make sure the sun isn't glaring in their eyes. Wind can also be a large factor in photography. Hair can either be blown into someones face, or it can be blown behind them to create a beautiful portrait.

4. Choose poses that flatter the subject

   1. You want the person to look natural and for the senior portraits to emphasize their personality. The goal should always be to capture who they are in this stage of their life. Pictures that are too stiff and posed lack a sense of reality.

5. Creativity

   1. Depending on the individual, they may have certain hobbies or interests that they want included in the portraits. Many who play sports want their props or location to be included and this can potentially lead to some challenges. This means as the photographer you have to be creative to include what the person wants in a way that works.