One of the most common questions I get when it comes to senior photos is: “should I bring any props?”
Props can be a great way to add personality to your senior session and make your photos your own! Many of my seniors, when thinking about props, voice that they are afraid that their photos will appear “cheesy” if any are added in.
Truth be told – some props can be a little cheesy, but fear not! Within the world of cheesy props, there are some props that never seem to go out of style – regardless of what is currently trending! And a big part of what can make a prop look cheesy is how it is incorporated. I love using props to add personality to a client’s images in the least cliche way possible!
Today, I’d love to share a few of my favorite simple, non-cheesy (at least to me!) props, and how I love to incorporate them into my client’s images without being overly cheesy!
Instruments
If playing an instrument is a big part of your life, then it could be a fun addition to your senior photos! For the center images below, we went for a VERY subtle music themed shot by throwing some old sheets of music in the air!
Sports Equipment
Have a sport that you’ve played since middle school, or that you want to pursue professionally? Or maybe just a sport that you absolutely love? Consider incorporating one or two items from that sport into your session! You don’t necessarily have to pull out your entire uniform to add a touch of “sports” to your photos - even one football or a pair of ice skates can do the trick!
Hobbies
This might be one of my favorite categories, because the possibilities really are endless, and there are ample opportunities to get creative!
Love biking? Bring an old vintage bike with you to your session! Love Harry Potter? Bring you time turner necklace or Gryffindor scarf to add a hint to the best book series of all time 😉 Or if you want to go big, have your photos taken with the airplane you’re learning to fly on! There are soooo many possibilities when it comes to incorporating your hobbies - and it’s easy to either go with more “obvious” props (like a camera, if you love photography!) or with more subtle ones (like a backpack, if you love hiking/adventuring!).
Pets
If there’s any sure-fire way to feel comfortable in front of the camera, it’s definitely by having your furry friend present! Honestly, I wish I had gotten photos with my childhood dog for my own senior photos. It can be fun to have a few quick shots of you two interacting together!
If you are interested in bringing a fury friend to your senior session, be sure to check out this blog post (technically it’s an engagement blog post, but it is a great resource for any type of session where a dog is present!) for some of my best tips!
Accessories
Do accessories count as a prop? Absolutely! A hat, a scarf, beautiful coat, umbrella, or any particular accessory you’re currently feeling can be a great way to add a little visual interest to your images! (And don’t worry, we can do some with, and some without to get a good variety!)
Flowers
This has truly become a favorite of mine over the last couple of years! Flowers can add SO MUCH to your images, especially when you coordinate them with your outfits! They can be held, thrown, arranged on the ground, carried in a basket… and more! This is a great option for adding a softer, more feminine look to your photos.
To make this one more personal, bring your favorite type of flower to your session! Or maybe a flower that is your favorite color? You could do stemmed flowers, flowers with the heads cut off (great for those “laying in the grass” shots!), or even just petals for throwing/spreading on the ground!
A Special Outfit
This is another one of my favorites! If you have a prom or homecoming dress that you want professional photos in, or a special cultural outfit you only wear on special occasions, why not bring it with you to your senior session? It will definitely make your photos different from your friends’!
What do you think… are props for senior photos cheesy, or is there still a place for them where they can look natural?
