Let's face it, some high school guys aren't interested in having their senior portraits done. High school senior portraits for guys can seem overwhelming for parents and even for some photographers out there. That is why I have put together this article of simple styles of shooting for high school senior guys that will be sure to make your shoot a success and your hesitant senior glad that he participated! Hopefully this will help parents get a better understanding of how to plan for a senior guy session and other photographers may be inspired to try new looks or poses.
1. Urban Exploration
The Urban look is a classic style of senior guy portraits that is not only fun but produces a wide variety of cool looks for your senior. The idea is meet up at a downtown or industrial area that offers a lot of different textures and color that can be incorporated into the portraits. Bright lights, graffiti walls, arcades, warehouses, parking lots and garages, these are all game! I personally love this style because the photo shoot itself ends up becoming a such a fun and unique experience with walking around and "exploring" the area to discover eye popping scenes, hence I have labeled it "urban exploration." Senior guys sometimes aren't into smiling a ton for pictures and I have found that these types of scenes often look even better with a more serious facial expression or even having the guy looking off camera.
2. Dress it Up
At one point in society, it was normal for high school senior portraits to be a formal affair. Guys would always sport a tuxedo or shirt with tie. Now days, however, things are trending much more casual and individualistic. So much to the point where it actually becomes a really "stand out from the rest look" to dress up for senior portraits. Some guys really enjoy dressing up and looking kind of "GQ" if you will. Throw on some sunglasses with the suit or add their cap and gown to mix things up.
3. Sports and Hobbies
Another classic senior guy portrait style is one that showcases their hobbies or interests. Everyone loves to show off what they are most passionate about.
Sports, gaming, fishing, hunting, music, working on cars, art... whatever they are into is a great idea for an awesome portrait!
When planning shots for an athlete, it's best to get permission from the school, gym or field arranged beforehand. This will ensure that everything goes smooth and you will be able to get access to where you want to shoot.
4. Show off the Rides
We don't need to list all of the reasons that guys dig their rides at this age. It represents so much for them, right? Freedom comes to mind. By having their vehicle in some of their portraits you not only show off their style but capture memories of their first ride/rides.
5. Keep it Simple
Sometimes simple and relaxed will do just fine. This helps the focus of the portraits center on just your senior guy with no distractions. Great location ideas for simple senior portraits include natural settings like forests, parks, near bodies of water, in the studio with a solid backdrop, or even around your home and yard.
Some senior guys might be challenging to photograph well. However, with the right ideas, planning and execution, your high school senior guy can relax and even enjoy their photo shoot. The ultimate goal is that they appear comfortable, confident, and natural. Parents and their senior guy will have photos and portraits they can treasure for a lifetime.
Michele Coleman is a professional photographer based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with over 15 years of experience photographing high school seniors. For more information about booking a senior portrait session with Michele or to view more of her work, visit this page.