Things that keep me up late at night…did I put the leftovers in the refrigerator, is wet laundry mildewing in the washer, and did I remind my senior to iron their clothes before tomorrow’s session? Believe it or not, there are more than a few things that can absolutely ruin a senior portrait session. But don’t worry, I’m here to save your photogenic selves from committing portrait session no-no’s that might turn your kodak moment into a “no, you didn’t” meltdown.

No. 1 Yep, you guessed it. Not ironing your clothes. Nothing says sloppy and I just don’t care like a wrinkled shirt, dress or even a pair of jeans. While you might think, “oh, she can photoshop that out”, I just can’t…or better yet, I won’t. The hours of editing it would take to edit out a few creases would more than triple the amount of time it would have taken to iron them out and hang it up beforehand. And worse yet, they will absolutely ruin a beautiful portrait. While our eyes should go to your stunning smile, they will instead silently judge you for that hideous crumpled shirt or skirt that overwhelms the image. So don’t let this easy to fix faux pas steal the show, iron and hang each item you plan on showcasing.

No. 2. Not reading the Welcome Email or senior session material. A sure way to ruin your senior portrait session is to not read through the JHP Welcome email or click the links for information regarding your upcoming session. I have plenty of pro tips & tricks, what to bring, what to wear, and what to expect before, during and after your session you do not want to miss. By not taking the time to thoroughly read the session information you set yourself up for absolutely ruining what should be a fun & exciting portrait day. Without this vital information you wouldn’t know that snacks are part of the “what to bring” list, and you could end up being “hangry” halfway through your session without this vital piece of intel.

No. 3. Drastically changing your look. Everyone loves a good makeover but chopping your locks, dying it a color you’ve never had, or getting a new spray tan a few days before your session is never a good idea. What if you hate your new do, or that spray tan turns orange. You just don’t have enough time to settle into your new look and work out the kinks if its days before your session. Don’t let a wild idea turn into regret every time you see yourself in your senior pictures.

No. 4 Not planning your outfits. Not adding enough variety into your wardrobe is another good way to ruin your senior portraits. There’s nothing more BORING than the same style in a different color. Opt for textures, and layers that can add interest and detail. Choose outfits that gently progress from casual to formal. PRO TIP - Color coordinate your outfits. Much like coordinating a family portrait session where you pick a color theme, do the same for your own outfits. They will style effortlessly and seamlessly no matter what collage of photos you choose to put together.

No. 5 Experimenting with a new product or beauty technique. Much like getting a new makeover, testing out a new serum, lotion, waxing strip, or the latest minimally invasive beauty trend may not give you the look you’re going for. Unless that includes a potential rash, burn, or irritation to your already naturally beautiful skin. If you want to look your best come portrait day follow your daily facial routine, get plenty of beauty sleep and hydrate yourself and your skin. Now is not the time to experiment with a new product or technique that could absolutely ruin your high school senior portraits.