Welcome Friend!

You are now part of the Tisha Pol Photo fam and I am so happy to have you!

I want this experience to be amazing for you because HELLO, you are amazing and deserve the best! Whether your session is the coming weeks or still months away, it’s never too early to start planning. Being well prepared for your senior portraits will make the day of your session so much more enjoyable.

This guide is to help take the guesswork out of the planning process so your senior portraits turn out to be everything you imagined and more!

A person wearing a black cowboy hat and a dark patterned shirt standing inside the cab of a large green combine harvester on a farm, with the sky in the background.
A woman in a floral dress stands on a rock by a lake, with rocky cliffs and autumn trees in the background, under a blue sky with a few clouds.

Before you get sucked down a rabbit hole of Pinterest boards and Instagram searches -- I want you to consider who you are, what makes you awesome, and how you want to remember this time of your like when you look back at your portraits many years from now.

Let the Planning Begin

Start by making a list of key words that describe you and then go back through and highlight the ones that jump out at you the most. Those traits are what we want to make really shine throughout your portraits.

At this point, if you haven’t already filled out the questionnaire I sent to your email (may your parents/guardians email), now would be the perfect time to do it. The questionnaire will help me get to know you better before your session as well has help you narrow down what is important to you to have in your session and define the vision you have for your finished senior portraits.

Remember that I am here for you all throughout the planning process as little or as much as want and need. You can call, text, or email me questions and/or concerns at any time, no matter how big or small they may be.

A smiling young woman with wavy blonde hair, wearing a light denim jacket over a white ruffled skirt, standing outdoors on a paved pathway surrounded by autumn leaves and trees in the background.
A young man lying on the hood of a classic white truck, with tattoos on his arms and wearing a black T-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, seen from above on grassy ground.
A woman in a pink floral dress smiling and walking in a park filled with large decorative flower pots and trees.

Locations

If we don’t already have locations for your session picked out, now is the time to starting brainstorming where you want to have your portraits. These locations should reflect the overall vision that you want for your shoot. Ask yourself – where do you like to hang out? What kind of places make you happy? Are you a country mouse or a city mouse? Wherever you choose, it should be somewhere you are comfortable hanging out with a camera pointed at you for a while.

I like to remind everyone you don’t have to have the perfect spot to achieve the perfect photos. In fact I really enjoy taking my seniors to some locations that the normal person would never think of as good spots but I promise it is because it will lead to killer shots! And in the end, you are the focus here not your surroundings.

Props & Pets

Props are a great way to show off the things you care about most in life — whether it’s sports equipment, tractors or trucks, awards, special childhood memories, or even your best fur-friend. Use the drop down menu here for tips around props you are interested in including….

  • Pets, especially horses, are something that I am pretty well known for in my work and not to toot my own horn or anything, I am pretty darn awesome at it! My number one suggestion when including pets in your session is that you have a handler at the session that can groom, hold, and walk your animal(s) around from you. I ask this because I want to make sure that when the animals are not being used someone is there to hold them and so you don’t accidentally get used as a human drool rag and ruin your outfit.

    I have a special guide available on preparing horses for a session so if you would like a copy of that please let me know!

  • So what about tractors, cars, and trucks? Well, the main thing here is that the vehicle can safely get to the locations you are wishing to work in. After that most seniors choose to wash and detail their vehicles so they are looking the absolute best for picture time. It doesn’t hurt to have a buff rag or two handy in case we need to do any spot cleaning. If mudding is your thing….let’s make that thing a mess together!

  • Sporting goods you wish to include should be as clean as possible and uniforms should be wrinkle free. Don’t hesitate to bring as many items you wish that go along with your sport.

  • I love seeing seniors include awards in their portraits — whether you just pick your favorites or want to show all of them off. If you plan on using a large number, it would be best to have your display done ahead of time so we aren’t spending valuable time setting things up.

  • If firearms and archery are something you want to include I just ask that nothing is loaded and everything is safely transported.

  • Have something else like a special item from your childhood, instruments, flags, chairs, books, etc? Whatever it is you want to include let me know and I will happily find a way to incorporate it in a unique way for you.

A young woman in a floral dress holding a leash stands next to a brown and white horse outdoors on a farm with trees and a wooden fence in the background.
A young man in a striped jacket and jeans standing on a farm feeding station, surrounded by black and white cows, with trees and a fence in the background during fall.
Portrait of a young woman with dark wavy hair, wearing a black sweater, standing with arms crossed in front of a brick wall and smiling slightly.

Your Wardrobe

Picking out the perfect outfits seem to be one of the most stressful parts of planning for most seniors and I get it — figuring out what to wear is hard.

It is important that your outfits reflect your personal style so pick out items that you love and what is naturally flattering on you. I recommend planning a variety of outfits in terms of style and color — bring some classic styles as well as the trends you currently love. Keep in mind that overall esthetic you want to achieve in your finished photos and how your outfits will fit into each of the locations we will be shooting in.

Use the drop down here for some more tips when picking your wardrobe…

  • Wear colors that compliment your skin tone but avoid those that resemble your skin tones too closely such as nudes and beiges because they don't always photograph well and if not layered with something else may make you look naked from first glance. Too bright of colors like neon pinks and yellows can sometimes create an unflattering color cast on your skin so take that into count when making your selections.

  • If choosing an item with a pattern, stripe, or plaid, look at it from up close and far away — some patterns can come off too busy, especially smaller the pattern is.

  • Layering is a great way to add dimension to your looks. Jackets, sweaters, and scarves are great things that can be thrown on quickly to change up an outfit without an entire wardrobe change.

  • Don’t forget to add accessories! Some great accessories are trendy necklaces, bracelets, headbands, hats, scarves, jackets, and glasses! Accessories should complement your outfit and can be added change up your look quickly.

  • Your shoes should complement your outfit and should be able to be worn at ease. Ladies — if you want to wear those heels that look bomb but kill your feet, bring a comfy pair of shoes to walk around it and pop on the bad boys when we are ready to shoot!

  • Most glasses have a glare so I recommend checking with your eye doctor and ask if they’ll loan you a similar pair without lenses for your session. Another option buying a similar, cheaper pair you can pop the lenses out for photos. Amazon and Zenni have pretty affordable “fashion glasses” that would be ideal to find some!

For some styling inspiration check out my Pinterest boards click here…

Some stores and boutiques with photoshoot worthy outfits…

  • Vici

    Lulus

    Joyfolie

    Alter’d State

  • H+M

    Forever21

    American Eagle

    Abercrombie

    Alter’d State

    Francesca’s

    Urban Outfitters

    Dry Goods

  • Boot Barn

    Lil Bee’s Bohemian

    The Fringed Pineapple

    Buckle

    Cavendar’s

  • American Eagle

    Buckle

    Abercrombie

    Old Navy/Gap

    Hollister

    Dry Goods

    Madewell

  • Old Navy

    Torrid

    Maurices

    Arula

    Fashion to Figure

    Boohoo

  • Old Navy / Gap

    American Eagle

    Hollister

    Boot Barn

    Buckle

    Target

I offer a client closet with a variety of fun clothing + props and you can check it out here…

A young woman sitting in a field of purple coneflowers during sunset, smiling and looking to the side.
Young man in a black and white varsity jacket holding a football helmet stands on a football field in front of a red and black bleacher with a sign that reads 'Pleasantville Trojans'.

Preparation

Be sure to try on everything beforehand to make certain every item fits properly. If you find yourself fidgeting with the clothing or constantly adjusting it to make them work, that piece is probably not right for you — you don’t want to be fussing to make the outfit work for you the day of the session.

Girls — take into consideration the length of your skirts and dresses. Can you sit comfortably or get into different poses I may ask of you? Strapless dresses and tops and those with spaghetti straps are popular however don’t always photograph well so choose them sparingly. It’s also wise to consider the neckline of your tops — I will be photographing you from many angles so make sure that the neckline of your top is properly fitted and doesn’t show more than you or your momma would want on display.

Although it may not seem important, your undergarments can affect how your portraits turn out. I suggest wearing nude colored undergarments and have both a regular bra and a strapless bra if needed for your different looks. And PLEASE if you are wearing a dress or skirt have a pair bike shorts or spanks (preferably nude colored) on in case of a wind gust we aren’t flashing the public.

As far as how many outfits you should plan for, I find that about 1 outfit per 30 min. is ideal however if you want to do more or less, that is completely up to you! There is NO limit on the number of outfits you can bring or use however the more time you spend changing the less photos in that finished gallery.

I recommend bringing plenty of options with you — more than what you might be able to get through but still all things you love and wouldn’t mind being photographed in. I say this because once we get to work, we may find that a different top would be more flattering, or the color of one your outfits isn’t working with the location like we thought, etc. The extra outfits also comes in handy when you are working with an animal and they decide to use you as a human drool rag.

Lastly, please make sure all of you clothing is clean & wrinkle free from head to toe! Nothing is worse than unzipping that garment bag and seeing a spot on your shirt or that your dress looks like its been laying in a ball on your floor for the past month.

Some handy things to bring with just in case we need for little wardrobe fixes include a lint roller, safety pins or garment clamps, and body tape.

Skin, Hair, + More…

Pretty much as important as your outfits, if not more, is your skincare, hair, nails and attitude. Use the drop down menu here for tips on taming your mane all the way down to polishing your hooves…bad horse joke I know.

  • No one stresses more about their hair than I do (even though mine is pretty much a hot mess 24/7!) so I completely understand if how your hair is looking is a main priority the day of your session! As you are choosing your hair styles, keep in mind that esthetic that you came up with when you first started planning and also consider your day to day style.

    Avoid doing anything drastic to your hair the weeks leading up to your session that you might regret and not have time to fix. Do some trail runs of how you are considering styling your hair and see how it holds for you throughout the day and if it matches the vision you have your portraits.

    Many seniors choose to get their hair done professionally and that is always a great option if you aren’t the best at taming your mane (like me).

    When you are packing for your session, make sure to include any hair products and accessories you may need. Things likes a comb/brush, bobby pins, styling products, hats, and hair ties.

  • Nails may not be something you think too much about when planning your senior portraits but they are something that will be noticed and we don’t want them looking bad! I suggest your nails be filed, shaped, and painted in a neutral color or clear.

    Guys obviously skip the polish part…unless you want to polish your nails, I don’t discriminate!

    If you are a little more daring pick a color that is a bold as you but will still complement all of your outfit choices. Try to stay away from is any sort of design on your nails – they will be too small to see and come off as messy in portraits.

    To have your nails looking their best, do them the day before your session if possible. If you are using press-on nails, do them the day of your session and make sure to have the glue handy in case one pops off!

    All this applies to your toes too...should they be seen!

  • In the week before your session try to get a full night's sleep as regularly as possible and stay hydrated. These two things can do miracles for your complexion!

    Be sure to avoid too much sun before your session. Although a little color is always nice, lobster-red skin and tan lines are not photo friendly! If you must be in the sun, lather up with a good sunscreen and make sure to reapply. (Also, skin cancer is no joke!) If you find that you did get too much sun close to your session date, hydrate your skin with a good moisturizer and exfoliate.

    Getting a facial or doing one yourself at home can also aide is making your skin look and feel healthier for your session.

    It may seem odd, but bring some lotion to your session. A fresh layer on your skin can really help your skin glow in the good kind of way.

  • Keep your make up similar to your natural style but slightly elevated. Clean, simple, matte looks photograph best on most people.

    If blemishes are a concern for you, do not worry about excessively covering them with concealer, I do some retouching magic to get rid of those for you! (Wish it was that easy in real life!)

    Consider earth tones for your eyes that compliment your skin tone and eye color. Plus they are neutral and will go with all your outfits!

    Lip color can be changed with your outfit but I always find a nude-pink shade looks good on most people however a bold lip for some looks is always fun.

    Cheeks should appear fresh and young — use blush to just highlight your natural beauty. Use bronzer lightly to accentuate your features but careful not to go to heavy on it.

    Like with hair, many seniors choose to go to a professional make up artist before their session to make sure they will have a flawless face that will last — if this is something you are considering but need suggestions of MUAs, just let me know and I can provide some to you.

    And don’t forget to bring any make up you used with you for touch-ups!

  • Now this is an important part of your senior portraits! We all know everyone has two different smiles, the one you give when you have to and then there is the REAL smile that exudes your true personality – I want that true smile!

    To achieve that smile, I may do and say some wacky things however if you don’t think I can bring that true smile out of you — bring a friend that can really make you laugh!

    I know that braces may be a concern for some so if you have braces I suggest scheduling your session for after they come off if possible. If that isn’t an option, let me know and there are some tips to make them less noticeable. Braces are able to be edited out however that is not covered in my standard session retouching and is an extra fee.

    PLEASE don’t be concerned about your smile. there is really no such thing as a bad smile!

  • The most important thing I strive to portray in your session is your personality. That is what makes you so unique and what will make your portraits different from everyone else’s.

    I want you to be confident but comfortable. I don’t want you to force an image of someone you’re not. In the days leading up to your session, focus on creating an energy that will bring out the best of your personality and avoid things that cause you stress. If you think having a friend at your session will help you be more relaxed, bring one along to make you laugh and cheer you on!

If you want to rock different hair and make-up styles at your shoots, consider splitting your session time over two or more dates.

A young man walking on a football field holding a football, wearing a maroon varsity jacket, jeans, and sneakers, smiling toward the camera.
A young woman with long blonde hair standing in a field of tall grass during sunset, looking at the camera with a slight smile.
A woman sitting cross-legged on a road, smiling and resting her hand on her cheek, surrounded by trees, in black and white photography.

During the Session

On the day of your shoot, before we pull out the camera I will walk you through a rough plan of how we will spend our time together. I will take a look at all of your outfits choices and help you finalize what you will wear and when. I typically meet with you a little early to explore the location we chose and decide what areas will make the best environment based on the vision you have for your senior portraits. These plans are just a base for us to go off of and may change throughout the session depending on our moods and available light.

During your shoot, I will guide you through posing so that you look natural and comfortable. Somethings I ask of you may seem funny but trust me that I wouldn’t let you look anything but your absolute best. If at any time you don’t feel comfortable, let me know & we will switch things up. From head to toe I will help you get all the little details just perfect for you.

I want you to have fun! So if having a friend there to be your hype-man will help, bring that friend!! I myself am not a very serious person and I tend to talk a lot so expect lots of chatting and joking around during the session. I find when we hold conversations throughout our time together it create a more relaxed environment which results in better photos. I am also guilty of saying “PERFECT”, “YEESSS!”, “GIRRRRL”, and “O-M-GEEEE” an excessive amount throughout the session.

After the Session

After your session, I go to work obsessing over every detail so that the gallery you receive is everything you dreamed of. Every image you get back is hand-edited with care and because of that the editing process takes up to 5 weeks. I edit sessions in order of when they are photographed and because my work suffers if I jump around between sessions, I only edit one session at a time so I don’t typically give sneak peeks until I have started editing your session.

Once your gallery is perfected and ready to share you will receive an email with the link to your online gallery along with download instructions and your print release. Your release allows for you to share digitally however you wish as well as print on your own up to 8x10 size. Larger prints, wall art, and albums can be ordered through your gallery or directly from me or you may purchase a full print release of your images if you desire to print on your own. Ordering prints through me and the professional print labs that I am partnered with guarantees you the best quality to display in your home.

Need a checklist to help keep organized for your session?

Feel free to download this one!