Senior Client HQ | John-Paul Wolf Photography

This Is
Your Day

Time to be an Icon

Welcome to being a senior! I am so excited to be your senior photographer and cannot wait to begin planning out your senior photos!

I know how long you have been waiting to have your senior photos done and want this day to be absolutely perfect for you. To make sure that you're prepped for everything, I have gone ahead and put together this Senior Client HQ. Here you will find answers to the questions you probably already have, and if anything else comes up, the best way to reach me is to text me at 951-941-6343 or send me an email. Pair this with your Welcome Packet that you received in the mail and you'll be ready to go for your senior photos!

We've also added tons of interactive elements to help you plan your session even better like our Personal Session Planner, Skin Tone Assessment and more!

This is your day and I can't wait to be a part of your senior year and get to planning your session!

- John-Paul

Picking Out Your
Outfits & Locations

What to Do First

Don't worry - I have PLENTY of locations to choose from so your ONLY job is to follow the steps below! Click through to see how we work to plan the perfect outfits that match all of your wardrobe!

Follow These Steps for Your Outfits!

The first step is to think about the TYPE of location you want for your photos. Go through my Instagram and start looking at what you like. Is it fields? Water locations? Urban environments like bridges or rooftops? What are the general vibes that you're going for your senior portraits?

Now that you know the general vibe that you want, look through the What to Wear Guide above to get an idea for what types of looks will work well for that type of location. For example, a field you'd want a flowy dress or a more "naturey" outfit (no - super tight dresses and leather pants wouldn't work out...)

Pick out 4-6 outfits. If you want a variety of locations like urban and natural, I recommend having at least 2-3 for each of these looks. When putting these together, follow the recommendations in the What to Wear Guide and on this page to make sure it's not all the same style, color and that way you have a variety to choose from.

A couple weeks before your session, I'll send you an email with a Senior Style Questionnaire. At the bottom there's a link to that. Fill that out with as much detail as possible. If you don't put much info, I'll take that as a sign that you trust me :) This will have questions specifically about locations which brings us to...

Once your Senior Style Questionnaire is filled out, please TEXT me photos of your outfits at 951-941-6343. From there, I'll take your outfits and pair those with the perfect locations that match your outfits. You don't have to do any location work - that's my job for you :)

Hair &
Makeup

Going Pro or Not

Whether you've booked professional hair & makeup or you're doing your own, do not worry! If you've booked it, your artist will come right to your home to get you ready before your session. Either way, below are a few must-knows to make sure that your makeup is camera ready and exactly how you envisioned yourself looking in your senior photos.

10 Portrait Perfect Face Must‑Knows

Your Makeup Bag

Booked hair & makeup? No need to buy anything. Your artist will come to your home with everything needed to create your look. Doing your own? Keep your go-to products with you for touch-ups during your session.

Get Plenty of Rest

A good night's sleep helps reduce puffiness and under-eye bags. Wake up puffy? Try placing cold tea bags over your eyes for a few minutes.

Avoid Tanning

Stay out of tanning beds and avoid intentional sun exposure for two weeks before your session. Redness and burns can be difficult to hide, while your natural skin tone photographs beautifully.

Keep Your Lips Smooth

During the week before your session, gently exfoliate your lips with a toothbrush and apply Vaseline or Mentholatum overnight. Smooth lips will help your lipstick look its best.

Bring Inspiration Photos

Save a few hair and makeup looks you love. Pinterest boards, magazine photos, or examples from my work can help your artist (or you!) nail the style you're going for.

Exfoliate Ahead of Time

Use a gentle physical exfoliator at least two days before your session. This can help smooth dry patches and create a better base for makeup.

Start With Clean, Hydrated Skin

Wash your face thoroughly and apply a hydrating moisturizer before your artist arrives at your home, or before you start your own makeup. Well-prepped skin helps foundation apply more smoothly and evenly.

Avoid Salicylic Acid

Stop using products containing salicylic acid at least three days before your session. These products can sometimes cause dryness, redness, and patchiness.

Wear an Easy-to-Remove Top

Choose a loose, light-colored shirt with a wide neckline or a button-up. This makes changing easier without smudging your finished hair and makeup.

Clean Up Your Brows Early

Make sure your brows are neatly groomed, but avoid waxing them during the week before your session. Waxing too close to your session can cause redness, swelling, or irritation.

How Many Outfits Should I Bring?

Please bring as many outfits as you think you might even possibly want to use during your session! It's better to have too many than too few. We usually get through about 4-6 outfits, but sometimes more!

What If the Weather Is Not Cooperating?

We are so lucky to have great weather most of the time! But if we're having a heat wave and the temperature is going to be over 100 degrees when we're supposed to photograph, or it looks like rain is imminent, I will let you know that we're rescheduling to a better day.

Can I Bring a Friend?

Yes! And it's encouraged!! It's always more fun when you're with your best friend and then we can grab some best friend photos.

I'm Not Used to Having My Makeup Done Professionally... Should I Worry?

You absolutely shouldn't worry! If there's anything you don't care for, please tell your makeup artist right away. Their goal is to make sure you look as wonderful as possible and feel comfortable, so they will be happy to adjust it and won't be upset at all!

I'm Doing My Own Makeup... Will It Look Okay on Camera?

Absolutely! If you're doing your everyday look, you should be just fine. And if you're reading this well before your session, there may still be time to book our wonderful hair & makeup artist, who will come right to your home. Just text me or send me an email and we'll see what we can do!

What If I'm Running Late?

Unfortunately, I can't keep the sun in the sky! We can still take pictures even when it seems darker than you'd think, and I bring a good flash, but once the light is gone there's not much more we can do. To get the most time out of your session, it's really important to be on time.

Can I Change Outfits on Location?

Yes! I bring a wonderful changing tent that pops up just about anywhere, so you can change without needing to find a bathroom or squeeze into your car.

When Will I See My Photos?

You'll see your photos at your Design & Premiere appointment! If we don't schedule it at your session, I'll send you an email shortly after letting you know it's time to schedule your appointment.

Got Questions?

Have any questions that this or the welcome packet didn't answer? Go ahead and send me a text or email and I'll make sure to answer that as soon as possible for you! I'm here to help you out every step of the way!

Senior Photos

This Is
Your Day

What to Wear

Picking Out Your
Outfits & Locations

Session Prep Guide

Hair &
Makeup

Got Questions?

This IsYour Day

What to Wear

Picking Out YourOutfits & Locations

Session Prep Guide

Hair &Makeup

Got Questions?

This Is
Your Day

Picking Out Your
Outfits & Locations

Hair &
Makeup