How to Photograph Your Own Senior Pictures

Getting senior pictures taken by a professional photographer has become such a phenomenon it seems like in the past 5 years even. I graduated from high school 11 years ago and getting your senior pictures wasn't even a "thing". If it were I would have gotten them as my father made a good income and I actually have always loved photography, so I am certain it would have been something I would have done even if it was just a somewhat popular thing to do.

Now days, it seems that not getting your senior pictures is not an option. This can put a large amount of pressure on high school seniors, as they all want to look good in their senior photos because all of their friends are posting their own on Facebook and other social media sites. If you do get your senior pictures taken it is an assumption that you will post them on Facebook for all of your friends to see. Well the problem is that everybody doesn't have the money to invest in a professional photographer to take these pictures for them so below are some photography tips that could help if you want to take your senior pictures yourself!

1) Get a family member or good friend to take them for you. Make sure it is somebody that you feel comfortable around so you can look natural in your final pictures.

2) Take your photos outside. If you are not a professional photographer, taking them inside is not something you should do as you don't have the appropriate equipment to be able to make them look good and you could even end up with "red eye" or a bright face. The goal is to not us a flash at all.

3) The time of day you take your photos is CRUCIAL. It depends on what month out of the year and where you live to decide on what time. For instance in the west, you will do outside photo shoots at 5:30 p.m. in the summer and 3:30 p.m. in winter. Do some research online to find out what time is best depending on where you live.

4) Take your photos in the shade with the sun behind you. So the person taking the photos will be facing you and facing the sun, but you will both be in the shade. This single tip right here is the best one. This way you won't have shadows on your face, and you won't be squinting in your photos, it will give you a nice even light. Again, but make sure you are taking them at the right time of the day, because you want it to still be light enough outside that you don't have to use your flash.

And take the time to actually read some other tips online regarding "do it yourself photography". It will be worth your while and your photos could turn out great!