Nadia Goldman. Photos: Mycah Bain
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about senior photos.
As the school year winds down, many parents of high school juniors begin anticipating the milestones of the upcoming senior year. Last September, we brought you pointers about how to plan a graduation party. This month, we focus on senior photo sessions. If this is your first time navigating the milestones of a child’s senior year, don’t worry—you’re not alone. We spoke with photographer Mycah Bain, a 2008 Edina High School graduate, to get insider tips on what you need to know about senior photos.
When do people start scheduling?
Mycah Bain (MB): In the spring time before their senior year, when junior year starts to wrap up is when people start to schedule. Most people do their photos the summer before senior year.
How long are photo sessions?
MB: We like to have a wide variety of options. There’s one hour, two hours and four hours, which is a half day photoshoot with four outfit changes. We do offer mini photoshoots that are 20–25 minutes, which is a great fit for someone who needs photos but doesn’t have the time or budget.
Behind the scenes, where Mycah Bain shows a senior how her photo turned out.
How do you prep seniors?
MB: We’ll send them mood boards and prep ideas and outfit inspiration and posing tips, so people feel knowledgeable and prepared.
Speaking of outfits, what do you recommend?
MB: I want people to look and feel like themselves. The most important thing is staying true to who you are and your personality and style. A variety of colors, textures and patterns can be fun. A fun white top with jeans is great for one outfit. A second outfit that works well is a long, flowing dress, especially for outdoor field vibes. It can be fun to have another dress, a shorter mid-length dress with a different color or neckline to mix it up. For girls who don’t want to wear a dress and for boys, we recommend jeans and a polo, could be khakis and a button up. We had some people this summer in athletic attire; shorts and a simple T-shirt. A suit can be a good look. A T-shirt or button up with a jacket over it. Layers work really well, playing with different varieties of patterns and colors. Waffle texture long sleeve white shirt. The reason that we like a collection of multiple outfits is that the parents and seniors can pick their favorite outfit, so everybody wins. Shoes should coordinate with the outfit.
William Rencher
What about what not to wear?
MB: Typically, clothes or outfits with heavy graphic patterns and words (unless it’s their college T-shirt) and neons and primary colors are distracting from the beautiful pictures.
Do you recommend locations?
MB: We let the seniors pick. We give them a guide of 10–15 locations we suggest they pick from. One of the most common is Mill Ruins Park area for beautiful skylines and more of a nature vibe. Stone Arch Bridge is beautiful. Arneson Acres [Park] in Edina has gardens, a fountain, pine trees [and] benches. We have Boom Island Park in Minneapolis. There are skylines and nature. Downtown Wayzata, the docks. That place I really love in the mornings. It’s less crowded. The light is soft and beautiful. Sometimes, they pick another place special to them. Sometimes, they’re in the country club, their backyard [or] their grandma’s house. The location brings the shoot and experience together.
Eva Barnes
What time of day works best?
MB: In general, I highly recommend people consider the mornings. There are less bugs, cooler temperatures, less people. The light is really beautiful. Most of our photoshoots are in the mornings. Most people are familiar with golden hour at sunset; there’s the same beautiful softness of light available in the mornings as well. But we do all times of day. Afternoon, evening. It’s what works best for the senior.
Who do you recommend accompany the senior?
MB: A lot of people bring their moms. Some bring a friend or siblings. We love to grab a quick photo of the senior and their parent together. As a parent, you’ve raised your child. We want to honor and include the parents. We think it’s a special time for the senior and the parent. We want them to be involved.
Emmie Bireley with her mom, Megan Bireley.
Do you suggest poses?
MB: We’re big on guiding poses and giving prompts. We will give you direction all the time. We’ll never say, “Good luck. We’re taking your picture.” Every single person is different. Everyone is going to have some classic head shots, some wide photos, some staring at the camera, some candid. Every single senior is so different. We like to capture who they are as an individual.
Props are a popular element. What are some of the most creative or memorable props you’ve seen?
MB: A lot of people this past year brought props. One girl played a violin in the Lyndale Rose Garden. One guy played violin in Mill Ruins Park, or it could be sports items. We had someone who brought books, a letter jacket, baseball glove, mitts, jewelry, props related to a hobby, flowers.
How do you keep the photoshoot fun and lively?
MB: We love to play music to make it fun. Whatever is the request of the senior. Our whole philosophy behind senior photos is, yes of course the goal is beautiful photos, along with that we want it to be a beautiful and empowering experience. I want a senior to say, “Yes, this is who I am.” If we can make them more confident in their own skin, if we can be like one part of their life, one positive experience, that is a total win. They get to remember how they feel beautiful, powerful and confident stepping into their senior year.
What happens after the photoshoots?
MB: After photos are taken, we edit them in two to four weeks and give you a custom online gallery. You have the right to print all the photos. We can even help you print the full-body photo for the high school’s senior party. At the end of the day, our goal is that the photos are a way to hold up a mirror and show a senior who they are. They can be reminded of their confidence and their beauty.
Senior Photos vs. Graduation Photos
Your senior may also wish to have a graduation photoshoot, which is usually done in May of your student’s senior year. “The graduation photoshoot at the end of senior year is usually with a couple of friends in the park with their college T-shirts or sweatshirts or cap and gown, throwing caps in the air,” Mycah Bain says. “Or a lot of the time, girls will wear matching white dresses for one outfit … People use those use those for the graduation party announcement.”
Mycah Bain Photography
Instagram: @mycahbainphoto
