It's that time of year again, we are in the midst of prepping our 2016 Senior Catalog for mail out! We have spent the last few weeks choosing images and designing layouts and it hasn't been easy. Every year we seem to have the best clients and we want to feature every one of them!

Like anything else though, choices have to be made. Here were the three runner-ups for the cover

 Alexandra Monico - Lyman Hall                        Bobby Carey - Sheehan                         Amber Clausen - Cheshire

And a little back story on each photo...

Alexandra - Whenever we photograph on location we make sure to schedule them for the end of the day. We want to get the best light possible! In this particular image the way the warm light is hitting the rocks behind her and the natural mix with the highlights in her hair is almost magical. The cream dress adds to the tonal balance in the image and gives it a nice and calm feel. 

Bobby was supposed to spend the second half of his session on location. The weather wasn't looking great and we were going to reschedule but decided to use our outdoor studio to at least add some variety in his session when we had the chance. Right before heading inside we noticed the storm clouds rolling in and we took one last shot. It made for one of our (and his) favorite images of the whole session! We love the drama the clouds add to the whole image.

Amber had a great session. She really managed to express herself through her outfits and variety of final images chosen. This particular image has stood out to us since the beginning. The solid color but subtle pattern in her dress against the summer foliage really made her pop and your eyes immediately drawn to her. Her natural smile is something we love to capture and we felt that this image represented our approach to senior pictures the best! 

Ultimately, we chose Amber because we just loved the overall feel the image brought. Alexandra and Bobby's images did make it inside the catalog along with many other seniors from last season!

The catalog offers great tips for you senior session (or any photography session you may have) coming up! 

There are also some special promotions that can only be found inside the catalog but as a reader of our blog, you can get a glimpse at them, too!

Call the studio today to book your senior session! There are so many options for add ons and we love to hear any ideas or visions you may have. 

Keep an eye on your mailbox for a catalog or contact the studio to ensure you can get a copy once they are complete!

5 tips [for the Guys] 

1) Consider getting a haircut. What feels better than a fresh cut? Not much. We suggest getting a haircut about 3-7 days before your session so it has a few days to "settle" and look its best.

2) Bring props. It may seem like it's a lot harder for guys to express themselves in pictures but it's easier than you think! Bring in any athletic jersey, letterman's jacket you may wear for your school's sports team or one of your favorite professional team. Other props that may be a good choice include instruments, ties or bow ties and even your car! 

3) Bring at least one classic button down shirt. These images will often be gifts for family members. Though it is extremely important to be yourself for your senior pictures, grandparents and other family member will often choose and look for a somewhat simple headshot in a crisp button down. 

4) Shave or trim any facial hair. When you look back at these images you don't want to notice your beard or mustache more than you. Just clean it up so it suits your chosen outfits or personal style. 

5) Iron or steam your clothing prior to your session. Crisp and clean clothing photographs best. This may be the perfect time to learn how to iron before heading off to college next year! If you are nervous about ruining your clothing bring your outfits to a dry cleaner to ensure a classic look. Most importantly, clean and fresh clothing helps YOU to stand out. After all, these pictures are about you - make sure that's what is shining through!

5 Tips [for the Ladies]!

It's almost senior season and the most frequently asked question when sessions are booked is "What should I wear?!" While your outfit is one of the most important things, of course, there's a few other very big things to keep in mind...

1) Bring a variety of outfits! Try to avoid bringing only patterned items. Focus on having most of your options in a solid color. If you often dress in patterns, bring your favorite so it can be incorporated but won't take away from you and your session. You are the star of the show, remember that!

2) Apply makeup a little heavier than usual. At Impressions we are all about looking like the best and most natural version of YOU. Applying a little more mascara and foundation than what you are used to will just help accentuate your best features. Also, your hands will show in your images. Remember to get a simple manicure or remove any chipped polish before your session. 

3) Avoid a bad hair day! Whenever you go to a school dance or a special event, you often will go to a salon and get your hair done. Senior Portraits are only something you get the chance to do once so why not treat it like the special occasion it is? Salon Le Rae is just down the street from our studio and always does a great job. Making an appointment for a simple blow dry or curled hairstyle which will help create a polished look for your senior images.

4) Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! When you are wearing a plain outfit, it brings the opportunity to liven things up with accessories. Chris from The Dressing Room in Wallingford always has the latest trends in stock. This season, tassels are in! Also, if you play sports or participate in activities bring something that represents it so that can be incorporated into your session!

5) BE YOURSELF! When you look back on these pictures in 25 years you won't remember the brand of your dress or the exact location you picked. You will remember how comfortable you were and how much fun you had. We are here to make the session about YOU. Any ideas you may have for locations or poses are always welcome! You are only a senior once, make it memorable!