What to Expect from a Senior Portrait Session: What Indianapolis High School Seniors, & Their Parents, Need to Know

Senior year goes by fast. Like, really fast. One minute you’re registering for classes and the next you’re walking across a stage. Senior portraits are one of the few ways to actually pause and celebrate this milestone, and when they are done right, they’re so much more than just a photo for the yearbook. Here’s everything you need to know as you start the process of working with an Indianapolis senior portrait photographer.

Class of 2026 Portraits: When Should You Book?

I recommend booking your senior session in the spring of junior year or the summer before senior year. Here’s why: fall is the busiest season for senior portrait photographers and family photographers, and I am both. T best dates fill up fast, sometimes months in advance. If you want flexibility with dates, locations, and timing, earlier is always better. Spring and summer sessions also give you gorgeous light and lush green backdrops that look amazing.

How Many Outfits Should You Bring?

I recommend 2 to 3 outfits. This gives us variety in your gallery without making the session feel rushed or overwhelming. Think about mixing it up — one casual look, one slightly more dressed-up look, and maybe something that reflects your personality or a hobby (a letterman jacket, a band tee, a dress you love). The goal is for your gallery to feel like you, not a costume parade.

Where Should We Go For Your Senior Session?

Location is one of the most fun parts of planning a senior session. Some seniors want the classic park or golden field look. Others want something more urban and edgy, brick walls, murals, downtown Indianapolis. Some want to incorporate something meaningful, like a sports field, a favorite coffee shop, or a place that’s been important to them throughout high school. There’s no wrong answer. We’ll talk through your vision and find a location (or two) that feels authentic to who you are.

What Should I Bring to My Session?

This is honestly one of my favorite things to talk about, because the answer is: anything that’s actually yours. A car you’re obsessed with, your instrument, your jersey, your dog, a skateboard, your camera, if it’s part of your life, it belongs in your session. Some of my favorite senior portraits I’ve ever made happened because someone brought something unexpected and completely their own. Props aren’t about being cheesy, they’re about being specific. And specific is always more interesting than generic.

What About Hair and Makeup?

I always recommend having professional hair and makeup done before your session if it’s in your budget, you’ll feel more confident, and confidence shows up in photos. That said, it’s absolutely not required. The most important thing is that you feel like yourself. If you’re a “mascara and a ponytail” kind of person, own it. That’s who you are, and that’s what makes your photos beautiful.

A Note Just for the Parents:

I know you’re the ones who are often coordinating all of this, and most likely paying), so a note just for you: senior portraits are one of the last times you’ll have professional photos of your child before they leave the nest. The images we create together will hang on your walls for decades. This is worth it, promise.

Ready to Book Your Indianapolis Senior Portrait Photographer?

Senior spots fill up quickly, especially for summer and early fall. If your student is a current junior or rising senior, now is the perfect time to reach out. I’d love to celebrate this milestone with your family. Click here and learn more about senior sessions, or view availability here.

Indy High School Senior Photographer, Class of 2025 Portraits, Class of 2026 Portraits