11 Must-Have Essentials for Every Senior Photography Session (Senior Photographer Gear Guide)
- Malia Ditto
- Feb 23
- 6 min read
After 8 years of photographing high school seniors, I’ve learned that what you bring to a session matters just as much as how you shoot it!
Having essential products with you
1) CREATES a better client experience!!
2) SAVES HOURS in post processing!!
3) HELPS YOU look professional and prepared!
4) ALLOWS YOU to shoot confidently in ANY location.
If you're a senior photographer (or wanting to become one), here are the 11 essentials I bring to every single senior photography session. Everything is linked!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use and love in my own senior photography business:)
Those who've had a session with me know I can't take photos without MUSIC!!! I love jamming to music and creating a comfortable atmosphere with some good tunes.
What music does:
Relaxing + FUN for seniors!
Encourages natural movement (MY FAV!!!!)
Makes laughter genuine!! (Especially when it's songs THEY love!)
Helps you as the photographer feel relaxed and creative!
I’ve used lots of speakers over the years, but JBL is a great brand, and I love that this speaker has a carabiner clip that you can hook to your camera bag because the biggest hassle with a speaker is remembering to bring it with you wherever you go.
Honestly, if there’s anything I couldn’t go without for a senior session - it would be THIS!!!!;)
I LOVE MY CHANGING TENT! It’s honestly a life saver and I use it for most every session. A couple years into photography, during a particularly hot and sweaty summer, I remember one of my clients trying to change from a dress into jeans in their car and having the hardest time. I swore I’d never make anyone change in their car again and purchased this tent. Game changer.
Why I love it:
Makes outfit transitions seamless!
Keeps clients comfortable
I ALWAYS let them know before the session that I will be bringing a changing tent so they don't have to stress about where to change. Lots of seniors worry about that!
Looks professional (who knew just one product could make you seem 100X more
credible as a photographer?!)
Allows you to shoot literally anywhere!!
You can pop it up anywhere and perfect for on-the-go outfit changes literally anywhere. From the middle of a random field to full parking lots to busy sidewalks… it’s perfect for any location;) I love that it has windows and hooks for hanging clothes, and it’s the perfect height! (The one I had before I had to cut out the top so my taller clients could fit haha!)
The day I got my wagon was the day my life changed. Okay, that might be a bit dramatic, but seriously- I LOVE my little wagon! For the first 5 years of my business, my clients and I would haul all outfits, accessories, reflectors, speakers, ect. around by hand. It was a nightmare and honestly exhausting!
How my wagon elevates my sessions:
Saves your back!!
Keeps sessions organized.. everything in one place
Allows mid-shoot outfit changes
I love that this wagon has one big compartment in the middle and a couple side
pockets… always where I keep my phone and keys. I’ve bought a couple organization cubes from the store that I’ll pop in the wagon for extra storage and to keep things organized. It’s nice to have when you want to change mid-shoot without going back to the car because your client can just bring their outfit with them!
Sometimes an outfit just needs one small finishing touch.
I always keep:
Bows
Hair Scarves
Simple jewlery
Bobby Pins + Elastics
It’s a great idea to have a couple extra fun things on hand just in case you want to spice up an outfits. I’ve done this more times than not- especially with bows + hair scarves! The perfect way to bring a certain vision to life or a whole different look to an outfit with minimal effort! I also keep a little container with hair ties, bobby pins, small elastics, ect. for hair fixes or changes. I’ve done a couple hair changes on location and it’s always so fun to add a cute vibe to the photos!
Saves time editing
Perfect for close-up shots
This little hair gel has saved me so many times. Especially on days where the golden hour glow is intense and my subject has lots of flyaways, this gel is essential for taming those flyaways and getting the photo right in camera… saves me SO much time with editing in post processing!
Prevents makeup breakdown
Keeps skin looking fresh!
Summer days can get HOT and sweaty and these things are perfect to pop out if your client starts sweating off her makeup. Tiny detail, but it makes a big difference.
I looooove me a good barefoot shot, especially in the lake at summertime 🤩 However, that does usually mean super muddy feet. I’ve also had white shoes get dusty…oof… or hands get gross by touching a tree or sitting on the ground. These really do come in handy, I’ve had to use my wipes many times!
I’m too short for this business😂 just kidding… BUT as most of us know, photos are usually more flattering taken from above, so because my 5'4" height is not great for shooting from above, I use my stepstool often to get a higher angle and get some unique perspectives!
Step stools also come in handy for
Group shots
A place to set phones, outfits, ect.
Sitting when tired hehehe
A reflector helps to:
Bounce light back into shadows
Create catchlights
Soften harsh light
As a natural light photographer, sometimes it’s tricky to get the lighting you want with just the sun. A reflector is SO nice to have when you want to bounce a little light back in your client’s face or get a little catchlight for a close-up. Another hack… when I have my client’s sit/lay down in a questionable area, I’ll often put the black reflector cover under them so they don’t get their clothes dirty!
One of my favorite parts of every session!! I give every senior a little gift bag with a handwritten note <3 It’s my favorite way to add an element of ‘surprise and delight’ to my sessions.
It creates:
Emotional Connection
Word-of-Mouth referrals
Memorable Client Experience
Positive touchpoint at the end of the session
Here are a couple of my favorite things I’ve included over the years:
I LOVE taking a little polaroid for my seniors at the end of a session! It’s so fun for them to have a physical memory they can take away at the end of the session.
So there ya go! 11 of my favorite essentials for every senior session.
A Note on Being Prepared
Okay, here's the thing. Clients NOTICE when you're prepared. When you bring essential backups to a session, you don't just look organized, you look experienced! This leads to confidence which leads to trust which then build referrals as they share your name with friends and family! It all starts with the CLIENT. Wanting the best for them, and being prepared for every scenario.
Reminder: All these products can be found on my Amazon storefront HERE
Senior season will be here before we know it!!!! This winter has been so unusually warm and honestly made me so antsy to get out and go take photos! I can't wait for the green + flowers + all the happy vibes!
If you want to start experimenting NOW with warm, colorful presets you can use all summer, click the button below!
If you're building your senior photography business, investing in client experience tools like these can completely elevate your sessions.
Now, I’d love to know — what’s one thing you never shoot without?
And if you want more senior photography tips, lighting education, and editing tutorials, come hang out with me on Instagram 🤍 Or sign up for a one-on-one mentorship session! Click the button below for more info!
Thanks for reading! Love you all so much! If you ever have questions about photography, please don't hesitate to reach out!
<3 Malia