Preparing For Your Graduation Photoshoot!

At BK Rose Studio, we understand the stress that comes with preparing for a photo session.
That's why we've created this guide to help minimize your stress and ensure a successful shoot.

Wardrobe

WHAT TO BRING

  • Cap, gown, and tassel (if you have it). If you don’t, we have 5 color options to choose from (white, black, red, pink, blue) with a variety of matching tassels. Please let us know prior to your session if you would like us to bring a cap and gown to your session for you.

  • 2-3 outfits that you love. Keep in mind you will likely be changing in your car or in a public bathroom so make your clothing changes simple. For 2 location sessions (premium sessions) please bring 3-4 outfits.

  • Your diploma or anything else you would like to incorporate into the shoot. For example - sports gear that is important to you, or musical instruments. Want to bring a fun decorated graduation cap? Great! We welcome all of your creative ideas!

PREPARE WARDROBE EARLY

Choose your outfits well in advance of your shoot day. Prepare your outfit from head to toe. Meaning, consider what you will wear in your hair all the way down to what you will wear on your feet. Once you have the outfits picked out, place them on hangers and put them on one side of your closet. Any accessories or shoes you want to wear with the outfit hand in plastic bags around the hanger with the outfit. Do this for any additional people that may be apart of the photo session. Selecting your outfits ahead of time will help eliminate day-of stress of finding the right outfit and also help you avoid forgetting something at home.

Note: Please remove apple watches before you arrive to your shoot (they never photograph well).

A NOTE ABOUT DRESS/SKIRT LENGTH

We move around a lot when we pose you (sitting, standing, etc). We have seen trends lean towards super short skirts lately. Please avoid very short skirts when picking out wardrobe. It makes posing very difficult and super short skirts don’t photograph well. Please choose skirt lengths mid-thigh or longer.

ONLY BRING CLOTHES YOU LOVE!!!

Your wardrobe should fit you well and be flattering to your shape. We recommend trying on your outfit from head to toe and taking a selfie with your phone so you can see how it looks on-camera. Layers and accessories look very good on camera, so don’t be afraid to bring that favorite cardigan to throw on over a dress or that adorable hat you’ve bought and never had the courage to wear. Now is the time to wear the clothes you absolutely love but would never wear in real life! Have fun and be brave!

WARDROBE COLORS AND STYLES

Senior sessions are really about your showing off your personality and expressing who you are through photos. Don’t be afraid to incorporate your style into your clothing choices. If we will be shooting in multiple locations, consider the location for each outfit choice…urban clothing should have a different grittier feel than a natural earthy session.

Don’t be afraid to incorporate layers and accessories. Layers create texture in a photo as well as accessories.

Also, consider the season you will be taking photos in:

Spring sessions: pale yellow, light pink, lavender, light blue, sage green, white cream (pale + colorful)
Summer sessions: yellow, pink, purple/lavender, blues, greens, white, cream (bright + colorful)
Fall sessions: mustard yellow, orange, navy blue, rose pink, burgundy, emerald, turquoise (deeper + richer colors)
Winter sessions: ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green, white, cream (cool based jewel-tones)

We suggest wearing solid colors that flatter your skin tone. Avoid logos and busy patterns that may be distracting.

Makeup/Hair/ Nails

Arrive with your hair styled and your makeup done but bring your hair and makeup kit with you for touch-ups. Plan extra time to get ready to allow time if anything doesn’t look right. If it normally takes you 30 minutes to get ready, plan an extra 15-30 minutes to apply makeup and do your hair.

We often see hands, so make sure your nail polish is freshly manicured and not chipping. Men, your nails should be nicely manicured as well.

If you are interested in having professional makeup and hair done for your session, please check out our makeup artist recommendations HERE.

Weather Concerns

Summer sessions…

Ticks and mosquitoes ARE nasty in the summer. We recommend spraying deet from your waist-down and natural bug repellant from your waist-up.

Winter sessions…

Snow makes for beautiful photos, so bundle up and let’s go make magic! But please dress everyone accordingly. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dress warm. Hats, gloves and scarves can be very cute in photos so please layer up! There is no reason for everyone to be miserable and risk getting sick. We can still get beautiful cozy photos with everyone dressed appropriately for the weather.

If it’s raining…

We will connect with you to reschedule your session.

Prepare Your Mind

LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS

It’s not about having the perfect hair or the perfect outfit or posing the perfect way. It’s about capturing this special time in your life. If you are worried about your clothes, it will show in the photos. Your clothes may get dirty, that’s a normal part of the photoshoot process. Don’t wear anything that you care that much about. Remember that ultimately heirloom photos aren’t for you, they are for the people that love you.

LEAVE YOUR ARGUMENTS IN THE CAR OR AT HOME

Having a fight with your family on the way to the session? We get it…we’ve all been there! As best as you can, try to let go of any stress you have felt from the day and enjoy the fact that you are doing something creative! The moment you relax and just let the experience unfold is when the magic happens.

Feeling Stuck?

If you feel stuck with your wardrobe or need additional suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us anytime. We welcome our clients to send over photos of what outfits they are thinking about ahead of time. We are here to help!

Email: BKRoseStudio (at) gmail.com