What to Bring to Your Senior Photo Session in Sioux Falls
What to Bring to Your Senior Photo Session in Sioux Falls
Senior photos are more than just a yearbook picture. As a Sioux Falls senior photographer, I help seniors prepare for their senior photo sessions so their images truly reflect who they are. They are a celebration of who you are right now — your personality, your passions, and the exciting season of life you’re stepping into.
As a Sioux Falls senior photographer, one of the most common questions I get from seniors and parents is:
“What should we bring to the photo session?”
The good news? Preparing for your senior photo session can be incredibly fun.
Plan for at Least Three Outfit Options
My magic minimum number is three outfits. Of course, if your package allows for more time or multiple sessions throughout the year, we can absolutely explore five or six looks.
Here are my three favorite starting points:
1. Something Casual and Authentic
This should feel like you. A favorite sweatshirt and jeans, or a casual outfit you wear every day. When you look back years from now, this outfit will remind you of exactly who you were during your senior year.
2. Something Professional
For guys, I always recommend a button-down shirt and tie.
For girls, this might be a dress, a blazer, or a polished outfit.
Why? Because a strong professional image becomes incredibly valuable later in life. That polished photo might end up being used for:
- college applications
- scholarships
- job interviews
- professional profiles
Having that image already captured is truly an investment in your future.
3. Something Fun
This is where your personality shines.
Maybe it’s a prom dress, something trendy, or an outfit that feels bold and exciting. These styles may date themselves over time — but that’s part of the magic. They represent what you loved during this moment in your life.
And sometimes the fun comes from simple changes, like:
- adding a jean jacket
- switching shoes
- layering a blazer
- changing jewelry
Small details can completely transform a look.
Bring Something That Represents You
One of my favorite ways to personalize senior sessions is by incorporating hobbies, sports, and passions.
When you bring something meaningful, it helps you relax in front of the camera — and suddenly the photos feel like you, not just like you're posing.
Some examples I love seeing include:
- musical instruments
- sports equipment
- dance shoes
- hats or favorite jackets
- books or sheet music
- boots or unique accessories
I’ve photographed seniors with everything from cowboy ropes to boxing gloves. Sometimes the most unexpected prop becomes the most memorable image.
Sports Gear Creates Incredible Images
Athletes should absolutely bring their gear.
Some of my favorite sessions have included:
- baseball bats and gloves
- basketballs and jerseys
- football gear
- dance costumes and pointe shoes
- horses and riding gear
Whether we photograph you in a field, in a gym, or outdoors in the Sioux Falls landscape, these elements tell your story.
Don’t Worry If You Forget Something
I always come prepared with a small photographer's emergency kit that includes things like:
- bobby pins
- lint rollers
- fashion tape
- a mini flat iron
I even bring a pop-up changing tent so you can change outfits comfortably on location — even in busy places like downtown Sioux Falls.
The Most Important Thing You Can Bring
At the end of the day, the most meaningful photos happen when you bring something personal to you.
A favorite pair of shoes.
A ball from the sport you love.
An item that represents who you are right now.
Because years from now, these images won’t just show how you looked.
They’ll remind you who you were becoming.
