How to Prepare for Your Senior Portrait Session with Evangeline Lisette Photography in 2025
- Evangeline Lisette
- Jan 10
- 3 min read
Your senior year is a time to celebrate milestones, accomplishments, and the exciting journey ahead. Capturing this moment with professional senior portraits is a must! With Evangeline Lisette Photography, based in Sonoma County, California and Raleigh, North Carolina, I'm here to ensure your experience is fun and stress-free. To help you get ready for your session, here’s a guide on how to prepare for your senior portraits.
1. Choose the Perfect Outfits
Your outfit choices are a key part of your senior portraits. Select clothes that reflect your personality and style while complementing the season and location. At Evangeline Lisette Photography, we have different packages to fit your needs. For my long senior photo sessions I recommend bringing 3-4 outfits: one casual, one formal, and 2 that highlights your personality. Maybe including your interests or hobbies like golf, cheerleading, volleyball equipment, or maybe a book or a paintbrush. Don’t forget to iron or steam your clothes beforehand for a polished look. For my shorter session 1-2 outfits will do, I recommend one casual and one formal. I love a mix of timeless neutrals with the occasional pop of color outfit.
Pro Tip: Avoid bold patterns or logos that can distract from your face. Instead, opt for solid colors or subtle prints that highlight your features.
2. Plan Ahead for Hair and Makeup
To look and feel your best, consider professional hair and makeup services. A skilled stylist can enhance your natural beauty and ensure your look lasts throughout the session. If you’re doing your own, practice beforehand to perfect your desired style.You are already making a large investment in your senior portrait experience, so why not make it the best it can be! I don't ever want my seniors to feel like their portrait session is just simply
"taking pictures", I want it to be an EXPERIENCE. So, if my seniors arrive after an hour of being pampered + beautified, the entire experience has already started on a good note! If a senior arrives frustrated or stressed, it can affect the entire experience, including the way you look in photographs. Well go ahead and send over a list of recommended vendors if you'd like, just shoot us a quick message!
If this is not in your budget, DO NOT stress over it! A LOT of my seniors skip this portion of prep and just do their own make-up. Especially if makeup isn't your thing. Just plan to wear slightly heavier make up than normal, including blush and lipstick/gloss that are at least slightly darker than your lip color. I also highly recommend false eyelashes. These can be purchased for very affordable prices at CVS, Target, or Ulta in the area. A youtube video will teach you how to apply, but make sure to practice!
Evangeline’s Tip: Bring a touch-up kit with essentials like powder, lip balm, and a comb to keep your look fresh during the shoot.
3. Pick the Right Location
A perfect location is made up of lighting, secludedness, season, and background. California has a diverse range of background to use in every season like Mt. Tamalpais, Downtown San Francisco, Helen Putnam, Bodega Bay, and the Russian River.
Similarly, Raleigh, North Carolina, offers countless stunning backdrops for senior portraits. From the vibrant downtown streets to serene parks like Pullen Park or the JC Raulston Arboretum, Evangeline knows the best spots to match your vision.
Pro Tip: Share your preferences with Evangeline ahead of time, so she can suggest the perfect location for your session and offer you a look at her curated location guide.
4. Get Plenty of Rest
A good night’s sleep before your session will ensure you feel and look refreshed. Being well-rested helps you feel confident and ready to shine in front of the camera.
5. Communicate with Your Photographer
At Evangeline Lisette Photography, we value open communication to make your session a success. Share your ideas, outfit choices, and any concerns with Evangeline during your consultation. Together, you’ll create a plan that brings your vision to life.
6. Relax and Have Fun!
Your senior portrait session is all about celebrating you! Trust Evangeline’s expertise and enjoy the process. A relaxed and confident mindset will shine through in your photos, making them even more special.
With these tips in mind, you’re ready to make the most of your senior portrait session. Book with Evangeline Lisette Photography to create these beautiful memories.
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