Cleveland Senior Boy Photography

Tips for a Successful Senior Boy Photo Session

I know high school age boys aren’t the most comfortable in front of the camera. If I had a dollar for every time a Mom has told me how much their son hates pictures I could probably buy myself a nice new camera. You know what? That’s totally okay and extremely common. I’m here to help you with a few tips to make your son feel excited and comfortable in front of the camera.

1. Get him involved in the planning.

Talking about locations, wardrobe and timing of the session will help him get involved and feel more comfortable on session day. Picking locations that they are familiar with can easy that awkwardness. Whether it’s a sports field, a skate park, or a natural setting, selecting a location that your son enjoys will help him feel more at ease during the photos.

Their wardrobe is important not only for the photos but it will also help with confidence. Cloths should be tried on well before the shoot so he feels his best the day of. In terms of wardrobe, I suggest picking out a few different outfits that reflect your son’s personality. This can include both formal attire, like a suit or dress shirt and tie, for more traditional photos, as well as casual outfits like jeans and a t-shirt or untucked button-downs for a more relaxed look. If your son is involved in sports or other activities, it can be fun to incorporate jerseys or uniforms into the session, along with relevant props like a ball, stick or oar. If they play and instrument, if possible, bring it along!

2. Show him photos

Before the shoot head to my portfolio and social media and show him a few photos. If you show him the final results this might give him something to be excited about. I also love to show them the back of my camera during the session to take a sneak peak at the shots we’re getting. This allows them to know they look even better than they expected. during the shoot they just see a camera pointed at them. I see the lighting, angles and split second smile or expression that they can only see in the image I create with my camera.

3. Include friends or family

If your son feels particularly anxious about being the sole focus of the photo session, consider inviting a close friend or family member to join in. Having someone familiar and supportive present can help your son feel more relaxed and at ease. Plus, capturing few photos of your son with his loved ones will make the session even more special. If your son has a pet, I highly encourage incorporating them into the session as well. Pets add a special touch and can help your son feel more at ease in front of the camera. Just make sure someone is available to bring and take the pet home after the photos are done.

4. Trust in your photographer

Next is having a professional and patient photographer like me! I will be more than happy to give them the time and space to feel comfortable in front of the camera. Sometimes it’s the moments in-between the photos that make them feel more and more at ease. I keep the atmosphere light and fun. High school boys tend to feel more comfortable in a relaxed and fun environment. During the session, encourage your son to have fun, joke around, and be himself. This will help him feel more at ease and result in more natural and authentic photos. Making my seniors feel comfortable is my job (and I’ve been at it for a while). Having that trust and faith that I can and will get those real expressions will put everyone at ease.I understand that senior boys may not have the patience for long photo sessions. Therefore, I strive to keep the session fun and light-hearted, while still capturing great images. I want your son’s true personality to shine through in the photos, so I will do my best to make him feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the session.

5. Plan something fun after

Ha! It’s not a bribe! It’s just a little something to look forward to after the session. It might just be a drive through the Chick-fil-A or going to the driving range. Senior sessions can last an hour or more, and that’s a long time to be “on” in front of the camera. Having something fun afterwards gives your son something to get excited about after the session. I don’t always recommend this with younger kids because delayed satisfaction it’s realistic with toddlers and young children. But your senior is at the perfect age where he can still be in the moment and have that fun “thing” keep him going throughout the session.

Senior photography is super special and important. When you think about it, it’s usually the last professional portrait they will take until their WEDDING (I’m not crying, you’re crying)! So don’t skip out on this special time in-between childhood and adulthood. It goes by way too fast and you will not regret creating these images. They will only grow in appreciation as the years go by. And let me tell you, they go by in a blind of an eye.

Are you ready to schedule your senior photo session?

Katherine is a photographer proudly serving Cleveland and the surrounding areas including but not limited to Bay Village, Avon, Avon Lake, Westlake, Rocky River, North Royalton, Cleveland Heights, Beachwood, Parma, Strongsville, Chagrin Falls and beyond!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to capture those precious memories forever.

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