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What to Bring to Your Senior Pictures | Indianapolis & Cincinnati Senior Photography

As an Indianapolis and Cincinnati senior photographer, I know the magic of this time. Senior photos capture a once-in-a-lifetime season that passes far too quickly. This is the moment between childhood and adulthood, when confidence is growing and individuality is shining. Senior pictures freeze this chapter in time—not just what you looked like, but who you truly are in this season of life. These portraits become something to look back on years from now, a reminder of your personality, dreams, and the beauty that already existed before the world began to shape you. More than just photos, they’re a legacy piece that celebrates you authentically and intentionally.

I’ve been photographing seniors for 3 years, and one question I’m often asked by my clients is: what should I bring to my senior pictures? I love this question, because a few personal items can transform your senior photos from generic to truly unique. Let’s dive in to what I recommend you bring, and why.

a high school senior girl stands in the snow. She wears an icy blue dress that stands out against the white snow and compliments the pale blue sky. Snow is falling around her. She is holding her dress and spinning. Her hair blows in the wind and her dress flows out as she is captured mid spin.

Senior Session Overview

Before you can decide what to bring, you have to know what to expect.

Senior photos can be captured all year long and in any season, but the most popular time to get your senior pictures taken is in the fall, right before the typical yearbook deadline. However, some of my favorite photos are taken in the winter, which is the least common time of year to have your senior photos taken. The icy blue sky and white snow makes a striking backdrop that ensures your photos stand out!

What you choose to wear will depend on the season, the location you’re having your photos taken, and the vibe you want to capture. In our pre-planning meeting, we always discuss outfit options. I also have a closet full of beautiful outfits clients have access to during their sessions, for those seniors that have a vision in mind but don’t know where to find the right dress.

For the seniors that book my Luxe photo shoot, our session will range anywhere from 2-6 hours and can have a wide variety of outfits. My goal is to bring your vision to life and each session is a custom experience. My Express session is short and sweet, 45 minutes, which typically covers 2 outfits. Express sessions take place at my indoor/outdoor studio in Milroy. 

You can learn more about the flow of a senior photo shoot with me here.

a senior girl stands in a rocky creek bed, with flowing water and trees behind her. She is wearing a yellow dress that flows out from her waist. She holds one side in her hand and smiles at the camera.

Bring the Basics

Whether you’re taking photos in Indianapolis or Cincinnati, outdoors or in a studio, there are a few things that every high school senior should plan to bring to their senior session. These are the items that ensure your photo shoot goes smoothly and your pictures end up perfect. Of course, you’ll also include your smile and all the sass!

  • Snacks. Sessions can last anywhere from 1-6 hours, depending on the package and your preference. A hangry senior does not a good portrait make!
  • Water. This one is especially important if your session is outside. Stay hydrated!
  • Touch up supplies. Make-up, lip gloss, hair brush, lint roller. These items ensure you stay fresh all day long.
  • Change of shoes. You’ll be walking from one location to another, so I recommend bringing comfortable shoes, even if you don’t want to be photographed in them. If your session will have a portion that takes place in the water (which photographs beautifully), you’ll also want to bring a pair of water shoes.
  • Personal items. Personalizing your session with individual items give insight into your life, passions, and future plans. Bring personal items that exemplify who you are at this stage in your life. This is what I LOVE and thrive off of! This is what sets your senior photos apart. Here are some of my favorite items my seniors have brought to their photo shoot.

What to Take to Your Senior Pictures

The accessories you bring to your senior portraits have multiple uses. That first ten minutes of feeling awkward during a photo shoot because you don’t know what to do with your hands? Accessories solve that problem. Plus, they add texture and a uniqueness to your photos. Your items show off your accomplishments and what sets you apart.

Your high school senior pictures shouldn’t look just like everyone else’s. There’s only one you. You’re unique, and so was your high school experience. Every high school senior should infuse their senior session with their interests, style, and unique personality.

With that in mind, don’t think of this as a checklist for what you should bring. Use this list as a reference, to help you come up with ideas for your senior pictures, and consider what items you can bring that show off what you love to do, what you’re best at, and what makes you special.

Horses

Taking senior pictures with horses is the perfect choice for a young equestrian. These portraits are serene, striking, and elegant.

A high school senior girl stands in a snowy pasture with her horse. She is wearing a cowgirl hat and holding her horses bridle, and her horses head is turned toward her. She is looking down at her horse, away from the camera, and smiling.
Dogs

High school friends may come and go, but your furry friends are as loyal as they come. Bring your pet along to your senior session to make your senior photos even cuter.

Cars

If your years were spent in auto shop and your weekends in the garage, featuring your car during your senior photos is a perfect idea. It’s a great way to help you celebrate your passion.

A senior guy sits on a cobblestone road, with his car behind him. His back is leaning against the car, which is a red volnkswagon. One of his leg's is stretched out in front of him, and one is bent, with his arm resting on his knee. He is looking away from the camera and smiling.
Guitars

You earned those calluses, and your senior pictures should celebrate that work. Guitars photograph beautifully, but any instrument that you’ve poured your heart and soul into should be featured.

A high school senior guy stands next to marshall amps and speakers. Behind him, mounted on the wall, are several electric guitars in striking reds, blacks, and yellows. The senior has a solid pale yellow electric guitar over his shoulder, with one hand on the neck of the guitar and the other arm resting the elbow on the amplifiers. His head is resting on his hand, and he looks at the camera with a smile.
Books

This is for the seniors who spent their free time in the library. The seniors who started the book club. The seniors who finished their required reading before the rest of the class could get through one chapter. Bring your favorite book or two and get some pictures with them.

A senior girl in a red dress stands between bookshelves in a library. Colorful books are all around her. She has one hand on each shelf and looks at the books with fondness and a smile.
Video games

If gaming is your passion, let’s embrace it during your senior pictures. Your controller is easy to bring, but if you want to go all out, we can plan part of your shoot where you’re most comfortable—where the gaming happens.

Flowers

For the seniors who prefer a more feminine and whimsical vibe, flowers are a perfect option. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about bringing any with you. Instead, focus on choosing the right location. My studio has 2 acres of wildflower field, perfect for seniors who want a floral photo shoot.

high school senior in flower field
College gear

Bringing items related to your future goals allow your photos to highlight this once-in-a-lifetime transition. It’s a great way to announce to friends and family what your next steps are.

A graduating senior girl walks down a street. She is wearing a doctors coat with a stethoscope around her neck. She is holding the ends of her stethoscope in her hands, and her doctors coat blows in the breeze. She is looking at the camera and smiling.
Heirlooms

If you’re hoping to add emotional depth to your senior pictures, I recommend bringing sentimental items like family heirlooms or childhood keepsakes.

A senior stands in a dance studio. A barre bar is in front of her, with various dance ribbons on it. Around her are more medals and trophies, won at dance competitions.
Parents

You might find this cheesy, but I promise, you won’t regret it. With my Luxe senior photo shoots, I include an optional short family photo session. You will look back on these photos and be so glad you have pictures with your parents, too.

senior-family-photo-mom-and-daughters
senior-photo-siblings-family
senior-portrait-with-mom
A family of 7 people, photographed standing together with their arms around each other. One of them is a graduating senior, photographed with her entire immediate family, to celebrate her graduation from high school.

What About Sports Themed Portraits?

For the Indianapolis baseball player, the Cincinnati football star, or any high school senior that has dedicated blood, sweat, and tears to their sport of choice, senior pictures serve a dual purpose. You’re celebrating this important milestone in life, but you should also showcase your talent.

If you’re hoping for a senior picture photographer that specializes in sports themed photos, I’m your girl. I’ve photographed athletes of many ages, and I know how to take creative sports portraits that turn heads and make you feel like a star. You can see examples of my work here.

I recommend all senior athletes bring some sort of sports gear accoutrements to their senior session. For the baseball players, it could be as simple as your baseball glove. For the football player, it could be your helmet or jersey. For the athletes that want to wear their full uniform, we can make space for that, too. I can guarantee that we will get plenty of photos that show off your skill, while still capturing pictures that show off the other sides of you, too.

Your senior session should showcase everything that these last 4 years have encompassed, everything you’ve learned and the skills you’ve developed. For the high school athletes that book with me, you’ll get it all.

A high school senior girl's foot is photographed, wearing a wedge heel. Her foot is raised, and attached to the heel of her shoe is a pair of running shoes. The laces are tied together and draped over the heel of her shoe.
A high school senior cheerleader is pictured mid-jump. She is flipping around, and her feat are above her head. She is holding her knees in a hard tuck, and her hair is blowing around her as she spins.
A high school senior cheerleader is pictured from behind, holding her pom poms and facing the empty bleachers.
A high school football player is photographed in a dark studio. Red smoke provides an outline of him. He is wearing his football jersey, with his helmet off and in one hand. He is pictured from behind, with his number 22 clearly visible.
A high school senior cheerleader is photographed mid handstand. Her legs curve above her head, putting her body in a C shape.
A high school senior girl wears a blue sports jersey. She is holding the corners of her jersey up, so the word "pirates" can be easily viewed. She looks at the camera and smiles.
A senior volleyball player girl stands in front of a volleyball net. One hand rests on her hip, and one holds a volleyball up to her shoulder. Red smoke provides a hazy backdrop to her senior sports picture.
A high school senior guy is wearing his baseball catcher uniform. He is kneeling down, with his baseball glove on and a baseball in it, as if in mid catch. His helmet is off for this senior athletic picture, and it is placed on the ground near his feet.
A female senior sits on the basketball court with a basketball in her hands. She looks at the camera with confidence.
A senior girl volleyball player sits in a chair on a volleyball court. She has a volleyball in her lap, with her elbow resting on it, hand bent up with her face resting on her fist.

Creative Themes For Your Senior Portraits

I don’t do cookie cutter sessions. If you’re looking for high-quality photography and an epic experience that leaves you in awe and amazement, you’re in the right place. My superpower is capturing the true essence of who you are, revealing your inner beauty, strength and awesomeness in a way that only a photograph can. Whether we’re capturing natural beauty in a wildflower field, bold looks downtown, or your favorite sport or hobby in the studio—I’ll help plan every detail so your session reflects your style, your story, and your confidence.

Head here to chat with me and see what fun senior photos we can create together!

A senior girl is pictured outside, shown in black and white. She is pictured from behind, and she looks back at the camera from over her shoulder. I her hands, she holds a large mirror, which shows her reflection.

Amanda is a luxury photographer located in Milroy, Indiana specializing in senior portraits. Her goal is to provide beautiful, high-quality, authentic photos that reveal the true you, and an epic experience that leaves you in awe.

Serving high school seniors (and their parents!) in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Batesville, Greensburg, Columbus, West Harrison, Harrison, Rushville, Shelbyville, Greenfield, Brookville, New Castle, Richmond, Connersville, Columbus, Muncie, and beyond.

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