As spring approaches, families begin planning their high-school senior portrait sessions in Charleston. The weather is warming up, and seniors are in the middle of their last semester of high school. If you’re the one graduating, you’re probably feeling excited for the future and also a little sad to say goodbye to your high-school life and all the friends you’ve made. If you’re the parents of a graduating senior, the emotions are all over the place! You’re so proud of the young adult you’ve helped mold, but you also can’t look at them without seeing the newborn baby, the toddler, the first-grader, the middle-schooler and every other stage in between. Your baby is about to leave the nest, and it’s a big deal!
We take all of that into consideration when creating senior portraits. We hope to create photographs of your child that show glimpses into every stage of their lives, so you can see the young adult they are becoming, but you also see a bit of the child within – the curious, smart, kind, playful child you’ve had the privilege of bringing into the world.
Where to Take Senior Portraits in Charleston
There are so many great photo locations in Charleston for senior portraits. But often, it’s best to start at the place you know best – your home. If you have a home with a yard, or nearby favorite park, that’s always a good place to start.
If you know you prefer photos in downtown Charleston, we recommend White Point Garden and the historic neighborhood surrounding it. You’ll find gorgeous spots along Church Street, Water Street, and beautiful little alleys off Meeting Street. Finish with sunset photos by the harbor at The Battery.
Another great location idea for Charleston senior portraits is on any of our beautiful beaches. We’ve photographed portrait sessions on Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Daniel Island and Kiawah. The benefit to doing senior photos on the beach is that you’ll have clean, muted backgrounds. And you’re not limited to just the ocean as a background. We will also look for flattering light on the boardwalks, piers, and in front of the pampas grass on the dunes.
Another great option for senior portraits is at our studio. One benefit of the studio is that we can do your session any time of day and any time of the year – we are not reliant on sunlight or good weather. Another benefit is that we have full control of light and background so we can create the most flattering portraits of you.
Best Time to do Senior Portraits in Charleston
The best time to do high-school senior portraits in Charleston is really anytime! Charleston is lucky to have good weather nearly year-round, and you can usually find a few 75-degree days even in winter. However, springtime is best if you want to document your teenager exactly as they are just before they finish their senior year. We’ll then have time to create your wall art piece for your home, so you can all experience it together before the Fall term starts at college. And then you’ll have it on your wall for when they are officially out of the nest! This way, you can feel like they are still with you even when they’re away working hard on their future.
The best time of day to do your senior portraits will be 1-2 hours before sunset. If it’s a sunny day, the light will be most flattering at this time of day. The other best time is early morning. If you choose early morning, we would meet up with you right at sunrise. If you’re getting professional hair and makeup done, though, the later time will be best so you can fit in your hair and makeup appointments before the shoot.
Tips for Getting the Best Senior Portraits
Here are the Top 5 ways you can elevate your high-school senior portrait session:
- Hire a professional makeup artist. We can recommend people!
- Choose 3 different looks: a casual, everyday look that feels authentic to you; a dressier outfit for a more formal look; an outfit that showcases a hobby or activity you love right now – jersey, dance costume, etc.
- Bring an item or prop that illustrates something you love to do right now – musical instrument, soccer ball, paintbrushes and canvases, pom poms, your favorite books, etc.
- Let your parents (or your family pet!) join you for a few photos at the end.
- Start planning now what to create with your photographs. What room in your home will they be displayed? Where will they mean the most to your family when you’re away at college? We will help you create wall art for your home or select fine-art prints with your favorite, most meaningful portraits.
When you choose us for your senior portraits, we work with your child to bring out the very best version of them. We will make sure the conditions are right to get the most out of your photographic experience. Not only will your child see their true self in their photos, but they will also feel proud of who they were at this specific time in their lives. And for parents, it is our hope that you will see a bit of every stage of your son or daughter in these photos – the innocent, fumbling child; the first-grader; the embattled middle-schooler; and the triumphant high-school senior who overcame so much to get to this point. And, finally, we think you’ll see a glimpse of the impressive grownup they are about to become. Everything all of you have done in your lives has lead to this moment. And that deserves to be celebrated.