Senior Photography Poses

Having professional photos taken of high school seniors is an American tradition that dates back to the 1930s. Back then, boys were photographed in tuxedo jackets, while girls were draped in fur-trimmed shawls and classic pearls. As the country prepared to enter World War II, high school seniors struck stiff poses and rarely smiled for the camera. These days, however, senior photography poses have evolved into a world of its own.

Formal vs. Informal

Most professional photographers specializing in senior portraits offer packages that allow a student to choose from 15 to 40 different poses per session. Poses are broken down into categories, with the most popular being formal and informal.

Formal

Formal senior portraits feature traditional poses, including the standard head and shoulders shot with students donning a graduation cap and gown or other formal attire. These types of photos are punctuated with different background colors and are preferred for high school yearbooks and graduation invitations. Formal poses are also the ones most often displayed in frames by proud parents and grandparents. However, these types of traditional poses rarely capture a student's true personality.

Informal

Informal poses capture a high school senior in a more casual setting. The majority of these photos are three-quarter or full-length shots, which gives teens more latitude to strike unique poses.

Indoors: Informal indoor shots take place at the photography studio with students donning casual outfits such as their favorite jeans or sweater. Photographers may position teens on stools or have them sit in lightweight chairs near windows or mirrors. In addition, some informal poses will feature students gazing in a direction other than where the camera is positioned. Not all shots will include a full smile.

Outdoors: Another type of informal shot can be taken outdoors. Teens wearing casual clothing are encouraged to pose near trees and fountains, on a park bench, or in the middle of flowery meadow. When posing for an informal outdoor shot, it is critical to take note of your entire appearance. Full-length informal poses can reveal unmatched socks, missing belts, odd accessories and stained pants. Be sure to check your outfits ahead of time for spots, wrinkles, and holes.