Your senior photo session is a big deal—it’s a celebration of all your hard work, the end of your high school years, and an exciting way to capture who you are. 

To ensure everything goes smoothly and you walk away with photos you absolutely love, being prepared is key. I’ve got you covered with this complete checklist of what to bring to your senior photo session.

Let’s make your day stress-free, fun, and picture-perfect!

1. Your different outfits

Bring a few different outfits – between 2 and 5 – to give yourself variety and options. Think about:

• Comfort and Confidence: Choose outfits you feel amazing and comfortable in
• Variety: Go for a mix of casual, semi-formal, and trendy pieces to showcase different sides of your personality.
• Accessories: It can be anything: jewelry, belts, hats, scarves, sunglasses… to show your personality.

Pack your outfits on hangers if possible to keep them wrinkle-free.

2. Shoes to match each outfit

Bring the right shoes for each outfit, and don’t forget to pack comfy walking shoes for the in-between locations.

Depending on the places we select we might have to walk a little or not, and not always on concrete ground!

3. Hair, makeup and quick fix kit

A little hair and makeup bag will help you feel at ease. remember, a session can last up to 2 hours:

• Hairbrush
• Bobby pins and hair ties
• Hairspray
• Mirror but your phone works too!
• Lip balm or lipstick
• Powder to reduce skin shine
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent if the session is in the summer
• Safety pins for quick fixes
• Tissues or wet wipes

If you’ve hired a hair and makeup artist, you’re already one step ahead, but having a little touch-up kit is always a good idea.

4. Personalized props

Bring items that represent your interests, hobbies, or future plans. Here are some ideas:

• Athletics, sports, cheer and dance gear or uniforms
• Hobbies and artists: painting, writing, reading props
• Musical instruments
• Favorite things: from a Starbucks drink, your car, flowers, a shopping addition…
• College gear, acceptance letter or fun sign if you already know where you plan to head to school next year (it doesn’t count as an outfit)
• High school gear, tee-shirt, hoodie, banner, scarf…
• Cap and gown if you already have them
• Even your pet if you want! I just ask that you bring someone along that can watch them for us when we aren’t taking pictures with them!

These personal touches will make your photos even more unique!

5. Fuel to keep your energy up

Bring a water bottle and non-messy snacks to keep your energy up during the session.

6. Who to bring with you

If you’re feeling nervous, bring someone who can cheer you on, help with outfit changes, or crack a few jokes to keep things lighthearted. Just make sure it’s someone who makes you feel comfortable and confident.

I request that at least one parent or guardian but, whether they join us for the entire shoot or wait in the car is totally up to you. I want you to feel COMFORTABLE.

Those few ideas are here to help you relax and not arrive to your senior session overwhelmed. With this “what to bring to your senior photo session” checklist, you’ll have everything you need to make the day go smoothly and focus on being yourself and having fun.

This is your moment, so you need to have fun, be yourself and enjoy it!

Got questions or need more tips? Reach out and look at my other blog posts I’m here to help!

Laure is an Atlanta based senior photographer. She also specializes in families and small businesses (headshots and brand).