What NOT To Do Before Your Senior Photos
What NOT To Do Before Your Senior Photos is something most people don’t think about… but this is one mistake I see more often than you’d expect. Let me share a little behind-the-scenes truth with you…
Sometimes the smallest decisions before your session can make the biggest difference in your final images.
And this one?
It’s a big one.
Self-tanner applied without gloves can leave uneven, orange tones that are very difficult to correct in editing.
What NOT To Do Before Your Senior Photos: The Self-Tanner Mistake
🚫 The Self-Tanner Mistake
Self-tanner can look beautiful in person…
But when it’s applied without gloves or unevenly, your hands will absolutely give it away.
In photos, this shows up as:
- Orange or muddy tones
- Uneven color between hands and arms
- Harsh lines that draw attention away from your face
And once it’s in the image… it’s not a quick fix.
💻 What Most People Don’t Realize
Correcting uneven self-tanner is one of the most time-consuming edits we can do.
We’re talking about:
- Matching skin tones across every part of the body
- Neutralizing orange tones without losing natural warmth
- Carefully blending everything so it still looks real and not over-edited
It takes time. A lot of it.
And because of that, it can cost significantly more in editing.
Uneven self-tanner creates visible color differences between hands and arms, which can be distracting in photos.
✨ The Better Option
Skip the self-tanner right before your session.
If you want that soft, sun-kissed glow… just tell your photographer.
We can enhance your skin tone in a way that looks:
- Even
- Natural
- Timeless
No orange hands. No harsh lines. No extra editing fees.
If you DO choose to use self-tanner, proper application is important. Here is a great article on how to apply correctly.
Another what NOT To Do Before Your Senior Photos
💅 Don’t Forget the Details
When it comes to what NOT To Do Before Your Senior Photos, here is another big mistake you’ll want to avoid.
Your hands will be in your photos more than you think.
Make sure your nails are:
- Freshly done or clean and shaped
- Neutral or classic in color
- Free of chips or grown-out polish
These little details matter more than you realize, especially in close-ups.
🤍 Final Thought
My goal is always for you to look and feel your absolute best.
The easiest way to do that?
Keep things simple before your session… and let your photographer handle the magic after.
If you’re ever unsure about anything, just ask. I promise it’s always easier to guide you ahead of time than fix it later.
If you’re planning your own session, you can view my work here.
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