I’m excited to show you what seniors are doing with the genre of senior portrait photography. Senior portraits are more than just a school photo, they’re a way to showcase your personality and interests as you transition into adulthood. We’ve seen some really cool trends in senior portraiture over the last few years, and I’d like to share them with you here on our blog.

Bold backgrounds

• A bold background can be used for contrast and interest.
• A neutral background will keep your subject the focal point of your shot.
• Colored backgrounds can make a photograph stand out from the crowd.
• White backgrounds are great for product shots or when you want to show off a bold pattern in your clothing or accessories.
• Black backgrounds are ideal for small spaces, such as on a wall in an office or home bar/cabinet.
• Textured and patterned backdrops add visual weight to any image, so consider trying one if you’re looking for something unique and eye-catching! Tile murals offer another option—they’re inexpensive, easy to install and clean up easily with soap and water (and they come in several colors).

Unique props

Props are a great way to add interest and personality to your senior photos. They don’t have to be expensive, either—you can use them to enhance the theme of the photo or tell a story.

For example, you could use props that represent something special about your senior: maybe they are a musician or an athlete who plays an instrument or sports equipment; maybe they love animals so you get them a stuffed animal of their favorite pet! Maybe they’re into art and photography so you find some paintbrushes and canvases! Or maybe they’re into cars and motorcycles so it would be fun if we put one in their portrait session with them because then it will look like we’re doing stuff together haha where does that motorcycle come from?

Pet photography

If you’ve been a pet owner for any length of time, you know that your animal companion is more than just a furry friend. They’re family—they give love freely, they offer comfort and companionship when we need it most, and they provide us with an endless source of entertainment (those trick videos on YouTube don’t hurt either). If you have a special bond with your pets, then why not use them in your senior portrait photography?

If done right, the inclusion of pets can make for some really memorable images for both you and your loved ones. It’s also a great opportunity to show off some of the ways in which you relate to other people by showing how much (or how little) effort goes into caring for this furry child.

Film photography

Film photography is a type of photography that uses film as the medium for recording images.

Film cameras are used in a variety of fields, including commercial photography, fine art photography and cinema. The world’s first photo shoot was in 1838 by Louis Daguerre, who is credited as the inventor of daguerreotypes (a form of early photography). The process involved exposing silver-coated copper plates to iodine vapor which caused them to darken when exposed to light.

Lifestyle portraiture

Lifestyle portraiture is a relatively new trend in senior portrait photography, and it’s sure to be a favorite among parents. Unlike traditional school photos, this style of portraiture captures your child’s personality and lifestyle—all while giving you the opportunity to tell their story.

Lifestyle sessions can be done in any setting—the backyard, a park near your home or school, or even at their favorite restaurant! Take advantage of these opportunities to take photos that capture who they are as individuals rather than just another face in the crowd.

Fun shoes and accessories

Besides the traditional senior portrait, fun accessories can help you stand out from the crowd. Whether your style is retro chic or bold and edgy, the right accessories will help you express yourself and add personality to your photos.

In addition to unique outfits and hairstyles, don’t forget about shoes! Your footwear says a lot about who you are as an individual. A pair of high heels may be just what you need for a formal photo shoot or event at school—or maybe not! If sneakers are more your style, go for it! For example, if your hobbies include soccer or basketball then those would be great options too!

Dramatic lighting

Dramatic lighting is a great way to set your senior portrait apart from the rest. Diffused light sources, like window light, can be used effectively in many cases. For example, you could have your senior sit on a stool near a window and then stand behind him or her with your camera as he or she faces out into the light source. This will create softness around the edges of their face and body while still allowing for some dramatic shadows on their face.

You can also use artificial lights such as studio strobes, flashes, or diffusers if you’re not able to use natural lighting options available at home or at school (such as skylights). Use these tools with care when photographing seniors because they can easily overwhelm skin tones and cause unwanted harshness in images that may not have been noticeable during editing later on!

Environmental portraits

• Environmental portraits are a great way to show off your senior’s personality. You can use an outdoor location or a studio location.
• Use props to show off your senior’s interests. For example, if they play a sport and love the team, you could use their jersey as an adorable backdrop for their portrait!
• Make sure you’re comfortable with the location you choose! If it’s cold outside, make sure you have blankets on hand; if it’s hot outside, consider bringing some water bottles for both of you (and maybe even some sunscreen!).

Group photos with friends or siblings

Group photos with friends or siblings are a great way to capture the senior’s personality and relationships. If it will be tricky getting all the kids together, consider scheduling separate times for each group; then you can try to get them all together on another day.

The best way to get everyone looking at the camera is by asking them to turn their heads toward you as they pose. You can also take advantage of natural distractions like trees or flowerbeds in front of the kid’s faces; this makes them focus on those objects instead of looking directly into your lens, which causes people to tend to look away from it because they find it uncomfortable. You can also ask them (with their permission) what they are thinking about when posing for this kind of portrait so that their faces will reflect whatever thoughts they have at that moment; this gives an interesting glimpse into what makes each person unique!

User-generated social media content.

• Let the kids take pictures of each other. The best part about this is that it’s free and easy! Set up a tripod, turn on live streaming, and let the kids go nuts with their cameras.
• Have them take photos of friends and family members. If they’re going to be in the photos anyway, why not let them be responsible for getting those photos? Besides being fun for everyone involved (and taking some stress off you), this will also expose your clients to more photographers than just yourself.
• Let them take self-portraits. This is another way to get more exposure without any extra effort on your part as a photographer. Just give each child his or her own camera, set up an appointment time where you can all meet up together again later at home (or somewhere else), and then give them clear instructions about how much time should be spent setting up each shot before taking it.

It’s not just a school photo anymore, it’s a portrait.

It’s not just a school photo anymore. A senior portrait is a beautiful keepsake of your senior year that will be cherished for generations to come. If you are not familiar with this concept, then let us explain.

Your senior portraits should be taken in the fall of your last year of high school and will begin to appear in your school’s yearbook at the end of that same academic year.

The difference between having a senior portrait taken and having it appear in your high school’s yearbook is very important; when you look back at these pictures as an adult, they will help you remember how you looked, how old were you at the time and what activities were going on in your life during those years (such as sports or clubs). They also show who attended the same schools as yours did—an important part of building lasting friendships!

Conclusion

In today’s digital world, it’s important to have a great senior portrait. You’ll be able to look back at it years from now and remember all of your high school memories. The best part is that there are so many options available, so you can choose the one that works best for you!

Click here to register for your Senior Portrait Session with JWP!