STEP 1. Search the web for sample senior pictures that you love and decide what it is about them that makes you love them. Is it the outfits the seniors are wearing? Or the background locations? Or the way the seniors are posed? Pinterest is a great source for this. Pin your favorites and then figure out what it is that you like and don't like. Then share your ideas with your photographer and keep them in mind when in comes to look, prop, and location decisions.

STEP 2. Practice your facial expressions in the mirror. I know this sounds silly, but if you've ever watched America's Next Top Model, then you've likely heard the judges tell the models to do this at one point or another. They do this for a reason. It's hard to tell what faces we make actually look good and which ones look a little weird. What we think we look like doesn't necessarily come through on the outside. Take just a 10 minute break sometime before your shoot to sit in a mirror and practice. Make sure when you do like what you see that you memorize what it is that you're doing. Then during your shoot, recreate these expressions... this will help to make sure you don't end up with any of those awkward smile pictures thateveryone has as kids.

STEP 3. Plan all outfits and accessories and have them ready. Do not wait until 5 minutes before your shoot to throw something together. These outfits are of utter importance (as mentioned above, these pictures will live for years to come on your parents' mantle). Be sure to wear something that really represents you. There are tons of outfit guides out there, to tell you what colors photograph well and that patterns are generally a bad idea. But essentially if you wear what represents you and lookedfor outfit inspiration when you did your web search (step #1), then you should be fine. Just make sure you have all of your outfits ready to go (ironed and on hangers) and all of the shoes and accessories ready along with them (putting accessories in a ziplock bag and hanging them with each outfit they go wit will help during the shoot).

STEP 5. Get your hair did! As with makeup, I highly recommend you have your hair professionally done. This doesn't mean having it done in an updo with ringlet curls. No, this is not supposed to be "prom" hair. But instead have your hair look its best, while looking natural. In most cases, you should wear your hair down. Accessories are fine, and right now headbands or hair wraps are extremely popular. In your photos, you will have a lot more versatility if your hair is down and you can "work it" throughout the session. A professional can help with hairstyles that photograph well and look great on you.