Senior Welcome Guide
Your go-to hub for feeling confident, prepared, and excited for your session.
Welcome! I’m so excited you’re here. This page was created exclusively for my senior clients so you know exactly what to expect and how to prep so you can walk into your session thinking:
“I’ve got this — and I KNOW these pics are going to be amazing!”
Outfit Planning Made Easy
Choosing outfits doesn’t have to be stressful. Bottom line: wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and YOU.
My Top Tips:
✔️ Choose your outfits 3 weeks early. Waiting last minute = limited options and avoidable stress.
✔️ Try everything on 2 weeks before — and I mean FULL outfits. Shoes, jewelry, undergarments… everything. Avoid surprises like: “Oh no, this is see-through,” or “My straps are showing.”
✔️ Long, flowy dresses = magic. Super flattering, add movement, and always photograph beautifully.
✔️ Avoid restrictive clothes. If you can’t move comfortably, you won’t feel confident.
✔️ Aim for variety. Think different colors, styles, or vibes.
Hair + Makeup Tips
Most of my seniors do their own hair and makeup — Here’s how to make sure everything looks amazing on camera:
Trial run everything. Don’t try a brand-new hairstyle or makeup look for the first time on session day. Do a practice hair + makeup trial a week before.
The day before your session:
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
- Avoid getting sunburnt (Honestly, this is just good advice anyways, lol)
- Avoid doing things you’ve never tried before the week of your session (spray tan, new hair style, etc.)
- Hang up each outfit — steamed, ironed, and ready
- Prep your "session bag" — See my helpful checklist below!
Your Senior Session Packing List
Bring these things to help your session run smoothly:
☐ All outfits (steamed, ironed, hung up)
☐ Shoes for each outfit!
☐ Any accessories (jewelry, hats, etc.)
☐ All necessary undergarments
☐ Touch-up makeup (lip gloss, setting spray, etc.)
☐ Hair touch-up tools (brush, bobby pins, etc.)
☐ Water + a light snack
☐ Comfy shoes for in between photo spots
☐ Optional, but HIGHLY recommended: Your friend/sibling for hype + behind-the-scenes energy!
Seriously, the seniors that I photograph who bring a supportive friend with them during their shoots always have the BEST time!
Friendly reminder
A parent/guardian must be present at your session. They don’t need to be right next to you, but they must be there in case of medical or safety needs. Safety first, always!
Weather + Rain Plan
All senior sessions are booked on Saturdays with the next day (Sunday) automatically reserved as your rain date. No stress about weather — we already have a plan!
How we decide to use a rain date or not
- Sunrise Sessions: We'll decide by 9pm the night before
- Sunset Sessions: We'll decide by 4pm the day of
- Prefer to avoid weather worries altogether? You can switch to a studio for $75 (based on availability).
Session Day: What to Expect
My goal is to help you feel confident, natural, and AMAZING in front of the camera.
Here’s how we make the magic:
- I'll help pose you as much or as little as you'd like — you’re never left wondering what to do.
- Lots of movement (walking, swaying, soft motion) = natural, non-stiff photos
- We'll spend about 20 minutes in each outfit
- Arrive wearing the outfit you want photographed first
- I'll bring a pop-up changing tent - No awkward changing in your car!
- At the very start of the session, we'll take a few pics and then I’ll show you the back of my camera - that way you can see how AMAZING you look!
FYI, you'll probably hear me say lots of things like, "OMG, this is so cute!" and "You're going to LOVE these!" Don't mind me - I just can't help myself!
Sneak Peeks + Gallery Delivery
The Monday after your session, I’ll post sneak peeks on Instagram + Facebook — feel free to reshare ANYTHING I post! Parents, friends, and your school community love celebrating with you.
You’ll also get your own dedicated blog post with highlights from your session. It’s like your own mini feature — something fun to look back on.
Your Final Gallery
When your final gallery is ready, your parents will get an email, and you'll get an Instagram DM (so be sure to follow me!).
Your gallery link includes:
- Full-resolution downloads
- Optional social-sharing link
- Easy (and optional) print ordering through me
- Full printing rights (to print anywhere you want)
What You'll Receive
Signature & Ultimate Package – All Digitals Included
You'll get every final image from your session. No choosing, no limitations — your full gallery is yours. You can download it immediately!
Classic Package – Choose Your 15 Favorites
You’ll receive a proofing gallery first. A proofing gallery includes watermarked previews of all the images from your session. You'll scroll through, “heart” your favorites, and choose the 15 images you want to keep. Once you download them from your gallery, you cannot take a download back, so be sure that you want exactly which images you choose! If you fall in love with more than 15, you can always add extra images ($15/image) or upgrade to the full gallery ($150).
Referral Program: Earn $$ Toward Your Cap & Gown Minis!
I absolutely LOVE when my seniors send friends my way — it means the world to me and my small business.
How It Works
For every friend you refer who books their senior session with me, you get $50 credit* toward your Cap & Gown Mini Session at the end of the year or $50 in print credit to get professional keepsakes and prints from a print lab that's connected to your gallery.
✨ 1 friend = $50 credit
✨ 2 friends = $100 credit
✨ 3 friends = $150 credit
Referring Juniors Counts, Too!
If your junior friend reserves their session date early, you get your $50 credit this year!
✨ Tell your friends to mention your name when they book — that’s how I track your rewards! ✨
*Not redeemable for cash. Non-transferrable.
Cap & Gown Sessions
This is your moment. Your finish line. Your whole high school story wrapped into one final, meaningful session. Let's celebrate it.
Signature Seniors
As a Signature Senior, you'll receive priority access to my annual Cap & Gown Mini Sessions before they're released to the public.
Mini Session Details
- Dates: TBD
- Location: Indoor studio (chosen by photographer)
- No weather stress, no reschedules
- Payment due at booking (minus any referral credits)
What to Bring
- Cap and/or gown
- College t-shirt
- Awards, medals, cords, stoles, and other meaningful items
Want a More Personalized Experience?
Signature Seniors also have the option to upgrade to the Ultimate Experience for $175.
This upgrade includes:
- A fully personalized 30-minute Cap & Gown Session (a $325 value), where you choose the location, date, and overall vibe
- Unlimited images from ALL complimentary mini sessions throughout your senior year
- It’s the best option if you want a more customized graduation experience and maximum flexibility with your photos.
Ultimate Seniors
Ultimate Seniors automatically receive this elevated experience—no upgrade needed. Your Cap & Gown Session is fully personalized from the start, built around your story, style, and future plans.
Priority Booking = Your Advantage
As an Alex Lacey Photography senior, you'll receive priority booking before Cap & Gown sessions are opened to the public. Earn referral credits throughout the year? I'll happily apply them toward any remaining balance.
And yes... these are STUNNING.
Soft light. Clean backdrops. Editorial vibes. Whether you choose a studio mini session or a fully personalized Ultimate experience, these often become some of my seniors' favorite photos of the entire year.
