Your High School Senior Portrait Experience

Everything You Need to Know to Look and Feel Your Best

Senior portraits happen once.

Our goal isn't simply to take beautiful photographs—it's to create artwork that captures who you are at this exciting moment in your life. A little preparation beforehand allows you to relax, enjoy the experience and gives us the freedom to create incredible variety throughout your session.

The good news?

You don't need to know how to pose.
You don't need modeling experience.
You don't even need to know exactly what to wear.

That's our job.

We'll coach you through every step, helping you feel comfortable and confident while creating portraits that look natural—not stiff or over-posed.

Before Your Session

Complete Your Senior Questionnaire

One of the most important things you can do before your appointment is complete our Senior Questionnaire.

We genuinely want to get to know you.

Your hobbies, personality, future plans, favorite activities, music, sports, pets, and interests all help us create portraits that are uniquely yours instead of looking like everyone else's.

Senior Questionnaire:

https://theimagery.wufoo.com/forms/q3wqcbx00et0cg/

If you're interested in adding an outdoor location session in addition to your studio session and our private Portrait Park, please let us know as early as possible so we can plan accordingly.

Planning Your Wardrobe

Don't think of outfits.

Think of different versions of YOU.

The more variety you bring, the more unique your finished collection becomes.

We recommend bringing outfits from several different categories.

Something that brings out your eyes

Colors that complement your eye color almost always photograph beautifully.

Something casual

What would your friends expect to see you wearing?

Jeans, sweaters, hoodies, layered shirts—whatever feels authentic to you.

Something dressy

Think wedding.
Holiday.
Church.
A nice dinner.
A concert.
Or even that outfit from Junior Prom.

This often becomes a parent's favorite portrait.

A seasonal look

Even if your session takes place during summer, consider bringing something that feels like fall or winter.

Sweaters, jackets, scarves, boots, and layers create timeless portraits you'll love for years.

Your passions and interests

Bring anything that tells your story:

• Sports uniforms

• Dance attire

• Musical instruments

• Letter jacket

• Books

• Art supplies

• Fishing gear

• Classic car or motorcycle

• Horse

• Gaming setup

• Hobby collections

• Anything that represents who you are

Don't be afraid to bring more than you think you'll need.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime portrait experience, and we'd much rather have too many ideas than wish we'd brought something.

Need a Little Extra Help?

Preparing for your senior portraits should be fun—not stressful.

If you'd like a little extra guidance, we're happy to recommend trusted professionals for:

• Personal styling and wardrobe planning

• Professional hair styling

• Professional makeup artistry

We've worked with many talented professionals over the years and are happy to recommend someone based on your style, personality, and goals for your session.

Just give Stephanie a call before your appointment, and she'll be happy to help you find the right fit.

The Imagery
(952) 890-7640

If you choose to schedule professional hair and makeup, we recommend planning for it to finish about one hour before your portrait session begins.

Considering an Outdoor Session?

One of the biggest advantages of choosing The Imagery is flexibility.

Unlike photographers who rely entirely on public parks or outdoor locations, we have:

• Beautiful indoor studio spaces

• A natural-light camera room

• Our own private Portrait Park

• Weather backup options

• Multiple looks without driving from location to location

If you'd also like an additional off-site location, just let us know as early as possible so we can plan enough time.

Inspiration

Need ideas?

Browse our Senior Pinterest boards for clothing inspiration, posing ideas, colors, and styling.

https://www.pinterest.com/theimagery/

Think About Where Your Portraits Will Eventually Live

Will they hang over your fireplace?

In the family room?

A hallway gallery?

Your bedroom?

Choosing clothing that complements your home's colors can make your finished wall portraits feel like they were designed specifically for your home.

The portraits you'll treasure the longest often aren't the biggest smiles.

They're the quiet expressions.

The thoughtful moments.

The eyes that tell a story.

Those are the portraits families continue to love for decades.

A Few Helpful Tips

• Bring every pair of shoes you'll need.

• Iron clothing ahead of time.

• Remove tags from new outfits.

• Bring accessories and layers.

• Solid colors generally photograph better than busy patterns.

• Vary your fabrics, colors, and styles from outfit to outfit.

• Darker shoes usually keep attention on your face.

• Guys generally photograph best in long pants.

• Bring more outfits than you think you'll use.

• Relax—we'll guide you through everything.

After Your Session

About one week after your portrait session, you'll see your images posted in a private gallery online. Narrow down at your leisure.  Then a few weeks after that you'll come in for your viewing and ordering session in person.

This is where you'll see your portraits projected large on our showroom screen, compare your favorites, and begin designing artwork for your home.

Whenever possible, we recommend that everyone involved in making purchasing decisions attend together.

Seeing these portraits at life size is often one of the most emotional parts of the entire experience, and something parents tell us they never expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many outfits should I bring?

Most seniors bring 5–8 outfits. It's perfectly fine to bring more—we'll help choose what photographs best.

Should I get professional hair and makeup?

It's completely optional, but many seniors love the extra confidence it provides. If you'd like recommendations, we're happy to help.

Can I bring my pet?

Absolutely! Pets are family too, and we love including them whenever possible.

Can I bring sports equipment or props?

Yes! Bring anything meaningful—from instruments and uniforms to dance shoes, books, artwork, fishing gear, cars, motorcycles, or anything that helps tell your story.

What if I'm awkward in front of the camera?

Almost everyone says this.

Don't worry.

We'll coach you through every pose, expression, and movement. Most seniors tell us afterward that the session was much easier—and much more fun—than they expected.

What if the weather is bad?

One of the advantages of photographing at The Imagery is that we have beautiful indoor studio spaces and our own private Portrait Park, giving us flexibility that many photographers simply don't have.

How long until we see the portraits?

Your view onlie is about a week after your session, and your Design & Ordering Appointment is usually scheduled about three weeks after your session.

Can we purchase digital images?

Yes. We offer both printed artwork and digital image options depending on the collection you choose.

When should we schedule senior portraits?

Earlier is almost always better.

Scheduling during the summer gives you the greatest flexibility, beautiful greenery, and plenty of time before yearbook deadlines.

We Can't Wait to Meet You!

This is an exciting milestone—not just another photo session.

Our goal is to create portraits that feel genuine today and become even more meaningful twenty years from now.

Thank you for trusting us with such an important season in your family's story. We can't wait to create something extraordinary together.

Stephanie & Rod Oman
The Imagery Portrait Photography
11804 Kennelly Road
Burnsville, MN 55337

(952) 890-7640

www.theimagery.net

Our Portraits, Like Our Clients, Last a Lifetime.