25 Senior Picture Ideas from Top Photographer - Pasha Belman

Discover creative senior picture ideas for girls and guys, and unique photo locations. Learn what to wear and how to pose during your senior photoshoot. If you are looking for amazing senior picture ideas for girls or simple senior photo ideas for guys, you need to start looking beyond pictures on Pinterest, Google and Instagram.  

There's already a lot going on in your senior year of high school. The last thing you want is to be overwhelmed by all the senior picture options universe has to offer. So let's get to the most practical steps of finding senior picture ideas that would work for girls and guys. 

In this post, you will find creative high school senior picture ideas for girls and guys. Learn about What to Wear for Senior Pictures, Makeup Tips, Location Ideas, and When is the Best time to take your senior pictures 

WHY ARE SENIOR PICTURES IMPORTANT

The 12th-graders today can't deny that pictures are an important part of their lives. Their Instagram feed is often picture-perfect; they know how to take a great "selfie" and are naturally photogenic. However, just because they have so many great pictures of them on their phones, it doesn’t mean that they don't need professional senior photos taken. 

How about cap-and-gown photos or school headshots, you may ask. There's not enough personality in these portraits for a modern senior, especially when all of their friends do personalized senior photoshoots. They need more "outside of the box" ideas for senior pictures.

Both high school senior girls and guys should have their senior pictures taken with a professional photographer. It is a good idea for many reasons, some of which are often overlooked. 

Reasons to Have Professional Senior Portraits

Share your senior pictures with your family. They saw you growing up into an amazing young adult, and they deserve to be a part of this special milestone. Embrace who you are at this point in your life and what you have accomplished during your school years.

Express your style in your personalized senior photoshoot and celebrate all the great things the future has in store for you. Boost your self-confidence during your high school senior photoshoot, because it is much needed to finish your senior year strong.

Use your high school senior pictures for graduation announcements and sorority recruitment. Keepsake these first professional photos of you as a young adult; they will hold very high sentimental value over the years, especially when they show your personality.

Lastly, the next time you will have professional photos taken might be at your wedding. So don't miss out on documenting this significant milestone as a part of your story.

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD SENIOR PICTURE LOCATION IDEAS

When exploring different senior photoshoot ideas, you need first to decide what photo locations appeal to you the most.

Let's explore some of our favorite senior pictures ideas that you may want to use during your senior photoshoot. 

SENIOR PICTURES IDEAS AND POSES IN DOWNTOWN 

If you are a city girl or guy, urban style senior photos might be an excellent idea for you. For example, if you plan to go to an out-of-town college when you graduate, taking photos on the streets so familiar to you will add deeper meaning to your senior pictures.

When taking urban style senior portraits, look for stairs, doors, alleys, sidewalks, benches, rooftops, and parking garages.  Unique ideas for senior pictures can come to you when you are already on location. 

You can also take your senior pictures in the downtown of the city where you are planning to go to college and embrace the new chapter in your life. Your future college campus will make a perfect backdrop for your senior photos. Wouldn't it be ideal if you could add your college campus senior pictures to your graduation announcements? 

Is there a city out there with the vibe that speaks to you? Is there a city you've traveled to a lot and cannot wait to come back to? Why not come back for your one-of-a-kind senior pictures?

Downtown Charleston has been a popular photoshoot spot for seniors from across the country. Its historic buildings, Southern-style mentions, and cobblestone streets create a unique downtown vibe. Where else can you find waterfront city streets, enchanted alleys, and secret gardens?

Downtown is also a perfect location to bring your car or motorcycle for senior pictures. Or you could easily stumble upon a cool prop, like a scooter parked on the street, as we did during Kalie's senior photoshoot in downtown Charleston, SC. 

PICTURES IN PARK OR GARDEN

Our high school senior photography studio is based in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, which is known for its beautiful alleys of moss-draped oak trees. Many seniors travel here every year for this fantastic backdrop in their senior pictures. Out of all ideas for senior portraits, this might be one of our favorite ones because oak trees look timeless and majestic in senior photos of girls and guys.

Parks and gardens are very versatile locations for senior photos and will look different depending on the season. If you love lush greenery, bright blooms, and walking paths, you should definitely consider a park or a garden for your senior pictures.

SENIOR PHOTOSHOOT AT THE BEACH

High school seniors who live on the coast love beach pictures because it has become a part of their personal story.

Embracing the surroundings where you grew up and spent your summers is such a great idea for your senior photo location. However, many seniors also travel to the beach for their senior pictures to bring back the photos that their friends won't have, and it is a great idea too. 

Besides that, photographers love to photograph at the beach. The amazing light before sunset and great photographic opportunities all around make the beach one of our most favorite spots for senior photoshoots. 

We love to photograph our high school seniors by the ocean, under the pier, by the sandy dunes, and sometimes even in the water. If you live by a river or a lake, you should consider senior pictures by the river banks for added variety.  

PICTURES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

If you love country music and the countryside, then senior pictures there would be an excellent idea for you. Fields of tall grass and sunflower fields create beautiful surroundings for senior photos in the summer.

For fall senior pictures, consider a cotton field. Blooming tree farm is perfect for spring senior pictures. You can also incorporate barns and rustic buildings into your senior photo shoot.

PICTURES AT A SPORTS VENUE

If you are involved in sports during your high school years, then it's a great idea to take senior photos at your sports venue. They will make your photography experience very personal and memorable.

Embracing the sport that you love and which has become a big part of your life will create additional sentimental value to the photos. For example, a baseball field, a football field, or a golf course are all outdoor natural light venues that would be perfect locations for senior pictures. 

Please, consider that you will have to arrange formal permission for your photographer to take your photos at the sports venue.

Also, coordination timing between the photographer's schedule and the venue schedule might be tricky. But all the planning work involved will be worth it when you see your amazing pictures. 

SENIOR PICTURES BY THE WATER

Another great idea for senior pictures by the water is a boat dock. Senior guys like this location because it's unique and not overrated.

Girl seniors often choose a marsh dock instead. Both locations are perfect for a relaxed look and add a great variety to your collection of senior pictures. 

PICTURES WITH YOUR DOG

Your dog is a part of your family, and you will miss him or her when you leave for college. Why not bring your dog to your senior photo session and create some amazing portraits that you will cherish forever?

PICTURES WITH YOUR FAMILY

You will already be dressed, and if your parents and siblings arrive dressed for your photoshoot, we will take that iconic family portrait that will warm your mom's heart when you are in college.

PICTURES WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND OR SISTER

Best friend from your high school years is a friend forever. Embrace this fantastic friendship you have and invite her to your senior photo session to have fun and to take a few photos together. And when she gets her senior portraits taken, be sure to support her too.

WHAT TO WEAR FOR SENIOR PICTURES 

What to wear for senior pictures? High school seniors often ask this question as soon as they book their photo session with us. First, we help them pick their photoshoot locations, and then we start exploring different senior picture outfit ideas. 

We usually work with one to three outfits depending on the senior photo session's length and the number of locations. We believe that every senior picture outfit should be elevated yet comfortable and organic to the senior and the photoshoot environment.

That's why instead of going for a very dressy outfit like a prom gown, or very casual like jean shorts and a tank top, we recommend choosing 2-3 dressy casual styles. Dressy casual style strikes a nice balance between laid back and overdressed and perfect for an outdoor photoshoot.

SENIOR PICTURE OUTFIT IDEAS FOR GIRLS 

Jumpsuit; dress (mini, midi or maxi, but maxis are our favorites!); skirt, pants, or shorts with a cute top; add accessories like hat, scarf, high-heel sandal.  

SENIOR PICTURE OUTFIT IDEAS FOR GUYS

Slacks; Dress shirts; Blazers; Sweaters; Khakis, High-quality solid color T-shirt without logos; make sure your watch, belt and shoes go well with the outfit.  

Our high school seniors like to shop at stores like Revolve, Free People, Reformation, ASOS, Zara, Nordstrom, Ralf Lauren and Amazon Fashion.

Here you can find one of these three clothing styles for your senior pictures: classic (preppy and modest), boho-chic (earthy and artsy) and urban dressy (practical and sophisticated)

As your high school senior photographer, we would discuss with you which style would work best for the location you have chosen. 

When shopping for a senior outfit, be sure to go with colors that complement the photoshoot location. We love pastel and neutral colors because they allow you to stand out better against a lush greenery backdrop and look soft and dreamy on the beach.

They also don't reflect the color onto the skin and look great on the wall when your pictures became wall art. We recommend solid or mostly solid color outfits.

Most importantly, choose several outfits and try them all on before the your senior photoshoot. Make sure everything fits well, and you love the image you see in the mirror. 

The rule of thumb is, if you don't love the outfit when you put it on for the first time, you will most likely not love your pictures in it. So be extra critical, take a mirror selfies in your outfits and discuss them with your photographer. 

At Pasha Belman Photography, we offer virtual shopping assistance to our seniors and guide them towards styles that will photograph well. For example, a maxi dress is our number one outfit choice for senior pictures of girls. But when choosing a maxi dress, remember that it is best when it is flowy.  

WHAT FABRICS PROVIDE GREAT MOVEMENT DURING SENIOR SESSION

The fabrics that provide great movement in photos are: tulle, satin, chiffon pleated fabric, sheer organza, and layered fabric. These fabrics photograph well and help us create the most stunning senior photos for our senior girls.

If you are into sports and would like to have part of your high school senior photo session to be at the sports venue, wear your sports uniform and bring sports accessories.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR FOR SENIOR PICTURES 

The clothes you wear for your senior photoshoot can make it or break it.  Our job as photographers is to help you look your best in photos and guide you through an outfit selection process. Here are several tips on what not to wear for your senior pictures:

Avoid stripes of any kind for a slimmer look. Stay away from neon colors. They will overpower you and will stand out in photos instead of you. Don't wear to your senior photoshoot any clothing that does not define the waistline, aka potato sack. Overbranded clothing is never a good idea.

Remember, wrinkled clothing shows in pictures. Wrong size clothing (too big or too small) will not only show in senior photos, but it will also make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious during your senior photoshoot. 

These outfit tips and ideas will help you stay away from certain outfits and shop more confidently. Remember, if you work with Pasha Belman Photography, we will shop with you

MAKEUP SENIOR PICTURE IDEAS 

Great makeup is one of the key ingredients to amazing senior portraits. That's why we highly recommend hiring a professional hair makeup artist. 

They know how to tastefully highlight your best features and make sure you look your best in pictures. If a makeup artist is not an option and you decided to do it yourself, you should educate yourself on the do's and don'ts of DIY makeup for professional photoshoot.

HAIRSTYLING IDEAS FOR SENIOR PHOTOS 

When it's time to decide how to style your hair for senior pictures, you can either hire a professional or do it yourself. How your hair looks in senior pictures is very important. Hiring both a makeup artist and a hairstylist can seem costly, but often it is the same professional, and they may offer a bundle price for both services.

However, if you have to choose between professional hair or makeup, we recommend going with a makeup artist. No worries, these tips will help you decide how to style your hair on your own if you have to.

SHOULD I CURL OR STRAIGHTEN MY HAIR FOR SENIOR PHOTOS

It depends on your natural hair. Located in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, we photograph our seniors in a mostly humid environment. After 20-30 minutes of taking senior pictures outside, the humidity will affect your hair, bringing it back to a more natural style.

That's why if you have naturally curly or wavy hair, you should not straighten it for senior pictures. Instead, embrace your curls, waves, and your natural hair texture.

On the other hand, keeping straight hair look as natural as possible for senior pictures would be the best thing. However, feel free to add light waves to frame your face and add some volume. 

What hair products should I use for my senior photoshoot

Hairspray is a must for your senior pictures. It helps you avoid fly-aways and keeps your hair styling in place. But make sure you use a very lightweight hairspray.

Use it before the session and during outfit changes to keep your hair look great throughout the photoshoot. Less is more when it comes to hair products for your senior session. Steer clear of too much product fighting against your hair's natural look and embrace it instead.

Anti-frizz products will help you minimize the frizz in your hair during high school senior photoshoot, especially in a humid environment.  

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE SENIOR PICTURES

There is no right or wrong time of the year for scheduling your senior pictures, but surely there is the best time for you and for the look you envision. Also, seasonal weather can vary drastically between different parts of the country.

For example, in South Carolina, where we create our High School Senior Portraits, the winters are very mild, spring starts early, and the fall is mostly warm. Every season is excellent for senior photos here.

Still, your senior photos in South Carolina will look different from winter senior pictures in snowy Colorado or fall senior photos in West Virginia with colorful foliage as a backdrop.  

SUMMER SENIOR PICTURE IDEAS

As one of the best Charleston High School Senior Photographers, we photograph in an area that draws visitors from all over the country during the summer months. No doubt, summer senior pictures are the most popular among our seniors. Girls and guys interested in unique senior photos look for locations different from what their friends can find.

When they discover our portfolio of senior photos taken on the South Carolina coast, they look no further. Here they can find a great variety of picturesque backdrops, from sandy beaches and majestic tree alleys draped with Spanish moss to cobblestone streets and historic buildings in Charleston, SC.

When seniors decide to travel to South Carolina for their senior pictures, they usually choose summer. During the summer months after their junior year, it is much easier to find time to travel.

They can also make a vacation out of their trip as a bonus! Plus, the weather is perfect for summer dresses and fun photos in the water. All of this makes the summer an ideal time for your destination senior pictures.

FALL SENIOR PICTURE POSES AND IDEAS

We would also recommend doing your session in the summer, before school starts, if you plan to use these photos in a yearbook.

When classes begin, there will be plenty of deadlines to keep track and you don't want to stress about fitting your senior session before a yearbook photo submission deadline, which can be as early as October. 

If you play sports, be prepared for a school calendar full of games and practices! Any planned concert performances, shows and competitions will also require a lot of time and effort. Planning you senior pictures around a busy school schedule might be tough. That's why many senior's would rather have their photos taken in the summer.

We absolutely love fall for senior pictures in South Carolina. You can style your summer outfits with boots and hats in September and October and add layers like jackets and scarfs for your portraits in November. The weather is not as humid anymore, and the sunsets are the most amazing.

Since most seniors take their photos during the summer month, going for fall senior portraits might be one of the way to stand out in the crowd. 

WINTER SENIOR PICTURE IDEAS

Low temperatures during the winter months and high school calendar filled with tests, college applications, and homework may keep seniors from planning a fun senior photo session.

However, we often get very warm days in the winter, and seniors also need a break from hard work. Why not lift your spirit to finish your senior year strong? Senior pictures are perfect for that. 

SPRING SENIOR PICTURE IDEAS

Spring of your senior year is the last chance to get your senior photos taken, and you should take advantage of it if you are still looking to document this special time in your life.

By spring, many seniors already know which college they will go to. That's why it would be a perfect time for taking your senior photos on the college campus.

You can also use these symbolic campus photos for your graduation/college acceptance announcements.  

If you love spring but don't want to wait till the last chance for senior photos, you can take them during the spring of your junior year. 

Spring is perfect for your senior portraits if you would love to see flowers in your pictures. Also, if you are not a fan of hot weather, do not wait till summer and take your senior photos in spring.

This is when you can wear warm and cold weather outfits for the same session and still be comfortable. 

BEST TIME OF DAY TO TAKE SENIOR PICTURES 

Most of our senior pictures start two hours before sunset. First, we photograph at a more shaded location and work with the first outfit.

We usually reserve the last hour during senior session before sunset for a more open location like a beach or marsh and work with the second outfit.

However, if we have to travel between different locations or our senior is interested in three locations and more outfits, we start our senior photoshoot even earlier.

SENIOR POSES AND IDEAS FOR GIRLS AND GUYS

Posing for senior pictures is nothing new for high school seniors today. In the age of Instagram, both girls and guys are incredibly photogenic and already know their best angles when they arrive at their senior photo session.

At the same time, our seniors are everyday people, and posing in front of a professional camera is often new to them. Our job as senior photographers is to make them look like models and bring confidence into their senior portraits.

Practicing different poses in front of the mirror will help you boost your confidence ahead of the photoshoot. Consider these senior posing tips that will make any pose look more natural and flattering.

BEST SENIOR POSES AND TIPS FOR GIRLS AND GUYS

1. Shake off your hands throughout the photoshoot to make sure your fingers are relaxed at all times and not stiff. 

2. Bring your chin a little bit down and forward to create a strong jawline.

3. Be mindful of your hand position and make sure they are not symmetrical.

 4. Lift your elbow an inch or two away from your body to make sure your arm does not press against the torso. 

5. Turn one of your shoulders away from the camera for a slimmer look.

6. If you have long hair, make sure it covers both ears. Also, place your hair in front of one shoulder or bring it on one side.

7. For looking away pose, move your chin in the same direction you will be looking. This way, the whites of your eyes won't show too much.

8. Lastly, practice relaxed but not sluggish posture by bringing your shoulders back and elongating your neck. 

Hopefully, you found these senior picture ideas and tips helpful. If you are still looking for a high school senior photographer in Myrtle Beach or Charleston, SC, who offers amazing location ideas and can help you create the look you envision for your senior photoshoot, don't hesitate to reach out.

As one of the top high school senior photographers in South Carolina, we offer some of the most amazing senior portrait photography experience. 

Our senior portrait studio is located on the coast of South Carolina. We photograph our seniors in the most beautiful locations from Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown, SC, to Charleston and Folly Beach, SC, and we would love to work with you too. 

Pasha Belman Photography is a husband and wife wedding, family and senior portrait photography team based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Recognized as some of the top Myrtle Beach Photographers. 

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