10 THINGS SENIORS NEED TO KNOW
Let’s touch base on the top ten questions you should be asking your High School Senior Photographer before and after your shoot. It’s so important to have all of the information you need before committing to a photographer! These are a few of the most popular FAQ’s we receive from our clients:
Q: How much is a session?
A: We split our session cost into 2 parts: a session fee + the cost of the products/images you want. All of our clients get full pricing information before deciding if they’d like to book. No surprises here!
Q: Do you edit all of my images?
A: Yes! We do retouch all of the images you purchase, but not in a way that is unnatural. Especially with our senior clients, our editing focus is on editing out little things like flyaway hairs, background distractions, breakouts, etc.
Q: Do you offer printed products or digital images?
A: We offer both digital and printed products! It will be entirely up to you on what type of products you head home with after your session. Need some prints to hang up around the house? Digitals to post or print on grad announcements? Or maybe the best of both? We’ve got it all!
Q: Are you able to submit my photos for my school’s yearbook?
A: Depending on your school’s yearbook policies, 3rd party photographers may or may not be able to submit your photos to be printed in the yearbook. It’s important to check with your school’s approved photographers before expecting your photos with us to be in the yearbook!
Also be aware of yearbook deadlines, they’re probably earlier than you think!
Q: Where are you located?
A: Our permanent studio is located in Vacaville, CA. Senior sessions are available for shooting in our beautiful downtown studio or up to 80 miles away!
Q: How do I prepare?
A: We will send you our Senior Session Prep Guide after you book your session with us! This will be packed with tips and tricks. You’ll also do a Pre-session Planning Phone Call with your photographer to discuss session ideas, ask questions, and more!
It’s also never too early to get your appointments scheduled before your session! Shopping for outfits, nails, hair, etc.
Check out our Top 5 Senior Session Tips blog post to feel 100% prepared!
Q: When will I see my images?
A: You will see your images immediately after your session. We will break for breakfast/lunch and then you will have a viewing session with your photographer to review and select the images you wish to purchase on your session day!
Q: What do I need to bring to my session?
A: All you’ll need to bring to your session is any potential outfits, props, and accessories you may want to shoot with during your session. Make sure to pack all of these up the night before, since your session will likely be starting before sunrise!
Q: Is a parent required to be a part of this experience?
A: Yes, we do require at least one parent throughout every step of your senior session! From your first phone consultation, to your shoot, to your viewing appointment on the session day – we require that a parent be with you to help make any major decisions! Plus, we want parents to be able to experience and be a part of this event with you.
Q: When should I book my session?
A: We recommend reaching out to book your session at least 3 months in advance. You calendars for each graduating year begin filling up in the summer following Junior year, so the sooner you get on the books, the better!
AKA: Class of 2024 book now!
Wondering what month or season is best for you? Check out our blog post to find out!
Our question for you: You ready?
Now that you’re all caught up on what to know, go ahead and click the button below to take the next steps towards your dream senior session!
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WHAT TO WEAR AS A STYLISH STYLIST
As a female owned, operated, and focused photography studio, we shoot with tons of hairstylists every year. Safe to say, we have plenty of hairstylist outfit inspiration to share!
As a hairstylist, you’ve got to balance looking good with feeling comfortable. A task that can be pretty exhausting day-in and day-out. Not only that, but you also work with chemicals and tools that could easily ruin the pieces you’re wearing.
So whether you’re an experienced stylist looking for some fresh inspiration, or a new stylist wondering what the dress code may be – you’re in the right place!
What to Wear
Accessories are going to be your best friend as a fashion-forward stylist. But not ALL accessories are created equal for your line of work. Performing a service that requires lots of movement and hand-work, rings and bracelets can be frustrating to style with. That’s why we recommend playing up the belts, necklaces, and earrings! Pieces that will add extra flare to your outfit, without slowing you down.
With the right accessories, you’re able to keep your outfits more comfortable and functional! Vintage graphic tees are a fav of ours. Since even if you get a stain or two, they’ll blend perfectly into the rugged band tee vibe. We also highly suggest a high-quality pair of leather pants! This one may be surprising, but a good pair of leather pants are actually a super comfortable and chic choice. Since they can be easily cleaned and are usually lined with a stretchy material, you can do it all!
Footwear is an obvious area that comfort must be prioritized. Platforms and clean sneakers are going to be your best friend! Platforms bring height and style to an outfit, without the discomfort of a high heel. And a clean pair of sneakers are super protective and a lifesaver for your feet! Bonus points if you opt for a platform sneaker – platform converse are our favorite 🙌🏻
Where to Shop
Depending on your focus, we’ve got some tried and true shops that are staples for our clients!
For quality basics: Aritzia + Zara
Luxury and simplicity are the hallmarks of the *that* girl aesthetic. These are the spots to find good leather pants, bodysuits, and trousers especially!
For the fun pops of style: Nasty Gal
Nasty Gal is a one-stop-shop for a little bit of everything. Accessories, pops of color, funky pieces that make people stop you and ask “where did you find this??” – this is the place to browse!
For any and every shoe: Nordstrom
Not only does Nordstrom have designers of all styles and levels of comfort, but they also have a stellar return policy. Even if a shoe looks comfy and feels good in a try-on, doesn’t mean it will last you a full day of clients. With Nordstrom, you can make sure that the styles you choose will last.
NEED MORE STYLE + BRANDING INSPO?
We’re here to help! You can browse different hairstylist outfit inspiration below by checking out some of our past Hairstylist Branding Sessions. We assist all of our Branding clients with their wardrobe selection for their session, and we’d be happy to help you too 😉
Click the button below to learn more about our Branding Sessions!
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BRIANNA’S FAV SENIOR SESSION OF THE YEAR? 👀
Before you ask, no this isn’t a men’s fashion model that we hired off of Craigslist. Britt goes wayyy back with the Pink Door Team. Considering, he is the son of our studio’s very talented Associate Photographer, Tamika 🤣 The coolness gene runs deep in this family, so it’s no surprise that Britt’s senior session was top notch. I mean c’mon, the guy wore overalls!
The Session Details
We took a trip to downtown Woodland for Britt’s Senior Session. This place has the perfect vintage vibe that matched flawlessly to Britt’s session wardrobe. From the aesthetic peach walls, to the retro movie theater, we knew we were in for a good one.
As you can tell, Britt is artistically gifted in all sorts of ways. Not only does he have killer style AND plays the guitar. Britt is also a man of the ✨theater✨. Which is why we had to get some shots on stage inside of the Woodland Opera House. This location has always been so kind in letting us shoot in the building and on stage – the perfect setting to round out Britt’s session!
A Little Editing Magic
While shooting outside of Woodland’s State Movie Theater, Tamika and Brianna had a vision. One that only our talented Head of Production and Design, Riley, could bring to life. What was originally a simple photo of Britt lounging in front of a movie poster, would later become the BEST grad announcement photo EVER.
Using the canvas of the original movie poster, Riley superimposed Britt’s Opera House photo in its place to act as the grad announcement! Adding in a little extra personalization (peep the “now graduating” phrase above the new poster), Riley absolutely NAILED this edit!
Check It Out!
Ready to see what all of the hype it about?! Keep scrolling to view some of our very favorites from Britt’s session! Including a before and after that will blow your mind 🙌🏻
(and keep scrolling to learn more about scheduling your senior portraits with us 😉)
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FYI: PLUS SIZED BOUDOIR IS JUST BOUDOIR.
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS “PLUS SIZED BOUDOIR” OR “SKINNY BOUDOIR”; IT’S ALL BOUDOIR!
When we first started shooting boudoir, we had women commenting on our images with things like, “I love this so much but I could NEVER look this good.” Or, “I’d love to do a session, do you ever work with ‘bigger’ women?”
As an all-female studio with team members of all different body types, we are fully aware of how difficult it can be to find photographers that have the expertise to shoot boudoir for women with a little extra thiccness.
That’s why, from day one, we have been determined to be the studio that women of ALL shapes, sizes, ages, and shades could trust to capture their beauty in all of its glory. And we’ve worked tirelessly to be just that.
Nowadays, women come to us BECAUSE they see clients with bodies similar to theirs all over our website and social media. Providing these women with the representation that they deserve is a duty that we have as a boudoir studio. If you can’t shoot with ALL body types, then you cannot consider yourself a boudoir photographer. Period.
How it’s done
We are masters at selecting flattering wardrobes, lighting and posing, and retouching as needed. We encourage all of our clients to love and embrace their bodies and are 100% body positive over here. You don’t need to drop pant sizes for your shoot, but you do need to drop the stigma you’re carrying around. Your body is a temple and deserves to be HYPED the f*ck up!
Wanting to make sure that your photographer understands how to shoot to your body type, is totally understandable. We can assure you that we will capture you in all of your beauty.
We also communicate with our clients to determine the best poses for them. Some of our clients love their tummies and are perfectly happy seeing full on frontal shots of their midrift. Some of our clients want to pose around their belly and not make it the focal point in their images. We can accommodate both!
Our ultimate goal is for you to walk away from your session with the MOST beautiful images of yourself you have ever seen.
You have the perfect body right now!
🍑 THE CURVY GIRL GALLERY 🍑
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WE KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
Needless to say, we’ve shot A LOT of Senior Sessions in our day. With every new year, comes new trends and ideas that we love to capture! Although, the endless amount of options you have for your session could get overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a step-by-step process to make sure we have a clear idea of what you want, even when you’re not really sure yourself!
Step 1: Your Phone Consultation
Phone consultations are the first step for any and every one of our clients. During this call, we’ll chat all about you and your ideas! This will help us to give you all of the details you need before deciding to book your session with our studio.
We’ll go over how our senior experience works, a timeline of your session date, and all of the pricing based on the type of session you’re wanting!
This will be a quick glimpse into your session, but don’t worry, you won’t need to have a super clear idea for your session this early in the process!
Step 2: Your Senior Session Questionnaire
Right after you’ve booked your session with us, we’ll send over your Senior Session Questionnaire to your email!
This questionnaire will ask you a ton of questions about locations, hair and makeup, outfits, hobbies, and everything in between. This helps us get to know you before we’ve actually met. We’ll also ask you to share any inspo photos with us from our Pinterest + Instagram pages!
Based on your answers, you photographer will be able to start creating a game plan for your session day.
Step 3: Your Session Planning Call
During this call, we’ll have you, a parent, and your photographer chat one-on-one about all of your specific wants, needs, and ideas for your shoot.
Based on your questionnaire answers, your photographer will be able to share her location and outfit ideas, recommendations, and examples to give you a better idea of what your session will look like.
Your photographer will also give you a detailed checklist of things to do and prepare for your big day!
READY TO GET SCHEDULED?
Hopefully this little breakdown has you feeling a little less stressed about your Senior Session planning! Always remember that we’re here from beginning to end to help bring all of your wants and dreams to life.
We’re currently booking Class of 2024 Seniors, so it’s time to reach out! Click the button below to schedule your phone consultation with our team to learn even more about our Senior Sessions!
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BRANDING HOTTER THAN THE DESERT SUN
A Branding Photo Shoot in Palm Springs…it doesn’t get better than this. Especially when our girl, Katherine of Antlers and Armchairs, was DOWN to join us in the desert for her next Branding Session! 😍 Now, we’ve been shooting with Katherine since we started our branding genre in 2020, so we’ve gotten A LOT of great shots with her. But this session…might have to take the cake!
ABOUT THE ‘FITS
As an interior designer and home stager, Katherine has got a lot of creative juices flowin’. This is TOTALLY reflected in the outfits we put together for this session! Katherine is one of our Branding Session Subscription clients, which means we’re on retainer with her to shoot several branding sessions a year. With her subscription, we rent outfits for each of her sessions from Rent the Runway! This helps her to avoid having to buy new outfits for every shoot, but still have a GORGEOUS wardrobe for each of her sessions.
As you can see, Katherine’s brand is fun and outgoing just like her! That’s why we HAD to snag some super bright and colorful pieces for this session. Not only does she look tan and shredded in these outfits, but they also stood out perfectly against the desert backdrop 🌴
LET’S DIVE IN
We ventured all around the property for Katherine’s Branding session. From the rocky hills, to the open roads, she was nailing every inch of this landscape. BUT the most memorable location was probably the one under our noses the entire trip!
The night before Katherine’s session, we joked around with the idea of Katherine jumping into our pool fully clothed. Now while this may have remained a joke for most people…with Katherine, it certainly did not 🤣 Our talented hair + makeup artist, Bre, gave Katherine a little glam the night before her session and we were DIVING IN.
Now you may think, “eh, it’s the desert, how cold could it be?”
Answer: Freezing. F*cking. Cold.
We had one chance to get his shot, so the pressure was on. We got Katherine dressed in a gorgeous gown (obvious choice for a night swim), and started the count down.
3….”This is SO stupid”
2….”oh GOD”
1….”SH*T”
SPLASH
Katherine was a CHAMP. Even gave us a few Sports Illustrated worthy poses on her way out of the pool. But best believe she B-lined straight to the jacuzzi before losing feeling in all of her limbs 🤣 We checked the camera, and we NAILED IT 🙌🏻
From that first night on, Katherine’s session was a breeze. After so many past shoots with our team, Katherine is a natural in front of the camera, and it shows!
THE RESULTS
As you can see, Katherine’s personality and style just shine through these photos. We always have such a blast getting to share the day with her 💛
And now as we reminisce of this amazing trip, it’s got us DYING to go back for more. If this sounds like the trip for you, get in touch! We’ll always take an excuse to visit the desert moon 🌙
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When we opened applications for our Body Love Project this year, we hoped to dive deeper into the “why” behind our clients’ sessions. Gorgeous photos are an obvious goal for every shoot, but we also wanted document the internal effects of a boudoir experience. So far, we’ve had the chance to meet so many women with different experiences, sizes, stages of life, and more. We’re so excited to not only give these women a chance to experience our Signature Boudoir Session, but to also watch them fall back in love with their bodies. To share their stories and beautiful photos with you. And spread the love and encouragement to these women and all women like them ❤️
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BODY LOVE PROJECT
Kristen’s Story of Motherhood and Acceptance
Kristen, like many of our clients, is a hot mom (just keeping it real). But after 3 kids, she confessed that she’s struggled to love her body. With each of her little ones, has come new changes that she’s struggled to embrace. Now, we all know that women’s bodies are badass, and should be celebrated for the power they possess. But society’s standards have made it almost impossible for moms to feel confident in their bodies postpartum.
With the growth of a literal living human in your body, comes stretch marks, extra skin, and other signs of accomplishment and power. How convenient that those are the same features that beauty standards don’t accept (rolling our eyes so hard rn). As women, we hope to take the power back and embrace these beauties for the medals they are! As Kristen so beautifully phrased it,
“…I want to celebrate every curve, roll, and stretch mark. They tell a story of motherhood and acceptance.”
As you can see from Kristen’s session gallery below she did just that. I mean, the fierceness in her eyes is ✨stunning✨. Especially when matched with her incredible tattoos 😍. Kristen worried of having her confidence tested through her boudoir session at first. This is a *super* common fear of most of our clients. But when you view her gallery below, does this LOOK like a woman that has ever questioned her confidence – we 👏🏻 don’t 👏🏻 think 👏🏻 so 👏🏻
The Results
As a mom, Kristen is usually the one taking care of everything. But here at PDP, we are the ones taking care of YOU for once! After a fun day of hair and makeup, shooting, and viewing her gorgeous photos, Kristen got exactly what she (and we) wanted!
“I had an absolutely amazing time being pampered and made into a sexy glamazon and completely enjoyed celebrating being a woman”
With a day devoted entirely to Kristen, she was finally able to take a much deserved break and time to feel like the beautiful woman she is. We are so happy we got to spend the day with Kristen and watch her fully embrace and celebrate her badass body!
FEELING INSPIRED?
If you’re ready to book your Boudoir Experience or just learn more about our Signature Sessions, click the button below to schedule a phone consultation with our team!
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CALL US THE BOUDOIR MYTH BUSTERS
We hear a lot of reasons women feel they “can’t” do a boudoir session. Reminder ladies!
BOUDOIR IS FOR ALL
That’s why we’re ready to bust up some myths revolving the “right” way to do a boudoir session!
MYTH: “I’m too old to do a boudoir session.”
Maybe you’re thinking, “I’d love to do a session but I’m not in my 20’s anymore… this isn’t for women my age.”
Ummm, you’re kidding yourself, sis! Women are like wine, we get better as we age. Grey hair is no longer ‘taboo’ and even celebrities are letting their fillers dissolve and are embracing their natural grace. There is NO better time than the present to capture your beauty and to preserve it for the rest of time.
If you’ve had some kids and your skin is a little loose, that’s normal. Boobs no longer touch your chin? Normal! If you’ve gained and lost weight and there’s a little ‘extra,’ it’s all natural!
Your body tells a story about the journey you have been on. It is OK to celebrate where you are, right now, without a reason in the world except to embrace and love yourself. And I hope you do.
I had a client tell me, “I’m not getting any younger — I want to look back on these photos 5-10 years from now and remember how beautiful I was, even when I don’t believe it right now.” THIS is the energy we want all of our clients to feel before their session.
TRUTH: Being a bad bitch is possible at ANY age!
MYTH: “The camera adds 10 pounds.”
Granted, it may seem like the camera is adding a little extra something, but when it comes down to it, the real culprit, is posing! Anytime you take a subject from a 3D figure to a 2D rendering, there are certain curves and shadows that get sacrificed, making it seem like a completely different person sometimes. But have no fear when we’re the ones behind the camera!
We have trained tirelessly to have the perfect poses for every body type to help every woman show off her favorite features. Sure your hair, makeup, and stunning outfit are there to help accentuate your natural beauty, but posing is also a huge part of this! Purposefully positioning your body to accentuate the areas you love will make all the difference when you’re admiring your photos.
TRUTH: *bad posing* is what’s making you view your body in a whole different way!
MYTH: “Boudoir sessions are about sex.”
Boudoir is about YOU.
Every client comes in with a unique vision in mind for their photos. If you want to dial up the sexiness, great! If you want to keep things sweet and innocent, that’s great too! Some clients start off wanting too keep things flirty, but decide to slowly get more sultry as they get more comfortable with us. The bottom line is, your session style is 100% up to you!
We are here to create the images that YOU want to see and treasure. Boudoir is about celebrating you and your body in whatever ways you wish!
TRUTH: Boudoir sessions are about whatever YOU want them to be!
MYTH: “Boudoir photos are only for giving to your S.O.”
While gifting your photos to your special someone after your session can be a plus, most of our clients shoot boudoir primarily for themselves! The list of reasons to celebrate with a boudoir session is endless, but here a just a few of our most common boudoir “whys”…
-For your birthday-
-To document your body pre or post weight loss-
-To celebrate finally feeling confident in your body-
-To celebrate your engagement-
-To celebrate your divorce/breakup-
-To document your body after a major surgery-
-To feel more familiar and confident in your postpartum body-
-Because you feel like it!-
TRUTH: ANY reason is a good reason to do boudoir – as long as it’s for you!
Just look at the gallery below of all of the beautiful women that took the chance and celebrated their bodies for their own special reasons.
Have any more myths you want us to bust?
Shoot us a message and we’ll be ready to answer any and all of your questions!
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We always want to make sure our clients are fully prepared when they walk through our pink door! That’s why we provide you with tons of tips to make your session day as smooth as possible.
Here are the top five tips we give every client before their session with us:
Pre-Session Prep Tips!
01. Try-on ALL of your outfits
The last thing you want is to show up on the day of your session, change into a brand new outfit, and realize it doesn’t fit. Pair different options together to make sure that every combination works!
We know online shopping is super popular for seniors. That’s why it’s even more important to try on those new pieces ASAP. Before ripping off tags and committing to a look you don’t end up loving! Even if you’re sticking to your tried-and-true favorites, it’s still important to test out those outfit ideas beforehand.
And don’t leave this step to the night before! The last thing you want is to be scouring Target in a last-minute search for your new favorite outfit.
02. Practice the poses
Seriously! Not only is it super important to try-on any and every piece you plan to bring, but it doesn’t hurt to also practice posing in each outfit in front of a mirror! That way, you can check to make sure everything fits how you want it to, no matter the pose!
We never want you to feel uncomfortable during your shoot. Make sure that nothing is too short, too cropped, or too hard to walk in!
Session Day Tips!
03. Plan for breakfast + snacks
Since most of our sessions are shot at sunrise, you’ll be arriving to the studio pretty early in the morning. We know coffee is a must for most of our seniors to have any ounce of energy so early in the morning. With that in mind, don’t be tempted to stop at Starbucks before the studio! You’ll be in hair + makeup for about an hour before we pack up and head to our shooting locations. That is the perfect time for mom or dad to make your coffee run!
We’ll be wrapping up your session anytime between 9am-11am. That will be the opportunity to enjoy your morning and replenish your body with a bomb breakfast. Plan to stop by one of the many breakfast spots downtown during your break! We always love a good Heritage House breakfast!
04. Drink tons of water
We know coffee seems like the most important fuel for your big day, but don’t forget to drink water too! It’s important to stay hydrated, especially on the day of your shoot. Drinking plenty of water leading up to your session helps clear up your skin and keep you from looking tired during your early morning session.
05. Arrive with a clean face and clean, dry hair
It’s very important to show up on the day of your shoot with clean, blow-dried hair and a clean face. You can put moisturizer on if you wish but other than that our professional Glam Squad will do the rest!
Fresh hair will ensure that you’ve got the most volume for your shoot. We recommend washing the night before, blowdrying, and sleeping in a protective style like a simple braid!
Ready For More?
When you book your senior session with us, you’ll receive our Senior Session Prep Guide with even more tips for your big day!
The next step is to click the button below to schedule your phone consultation with us. During this call, we’ll go over more details, and get your session booked!
