Senior year is a season worth celebrating.

From the excitement of your final year of high school to graduation day and everything in between, senior portraits are about more than just taking pictures. They are about preserving this unique chapter of your life and creating memories you and your family will treasure for years to come.


This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from booking your session and choosing outfits to preparing for your photos and receiving your final gallery.

The Booking Process


My goal is to make your senior portrait experience fun, relaxed, and completely personalized to you.


Whether you're adventurous, athletic, artistic, quiet, outgoing, or somewhere in between, your session should reflect who you are during this exciting season of life.


You do not need modeling experience or know how to pose. I will guide you throughout the entire session so you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Here is what you can expect:

Step 01

Choose the senior experience that best fits your vision and complete the booking form.

Step 02

Review and sign your photography agreement and pay the required retainer to officially reserve your session date.

Step 03

Complete your Senior Session Planning Questionnaire and begin preparing for your session.

Step 04

I'll reach out to discuss location options and schedule your session based on your availability.

Step 05

Enjoy your senior portrait experience!

Step 06

Your fully edited gallery will be delivered within 2 to 4 weeks of your session.

Step 07

Download your images, order professional prints, and celebrate your senior year.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

One of the best parts of senior portraits is creating a session that feels unique to you.


Popular location options include:


Spearfish Canyon
Sylvan Lake
The Badlands
Downtown Rapid City
Open fields and prairie landscapes
Forested Black Hills trails
Lakes and streams
Meaningful hometown locations
Your school campus


If you aren't sure where you'd like your session, I am always happy to provide recommendations.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

Most senior sessions begin during the two hours leading up to sunset.


Photographers call this "golden hour" because the light is softer, warmer, and more flattering than the harsh midday sun.


This beautiful natural light helps create the timeless, glowing look you see throughout my portfolio.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

Choosing outfits is one of the most important parts of preparing for your session.


A few helpful tips:


Wear Something That Feels Like You

Choose outfits that reflect your personality and style.


Coordinate Colors

Earth tones, neutrals, jewel tones, and soft colors tend to photograph beautifully throughout the Black Hills.


Bring Variety

Many senior experiences include multiple outfit changes. Consider bringing:

Casual outfit
Dressy outfit
School colors
Sports uniform
Future college apparel


Avoid

Large logos
Busy patterns
Neon colors
Clothing that feels uncomfortable


The best outfit is one that makes you feel confident.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

Consider bringing items that help tell your story:


Sports equipment
Musical instruments
Letter jackets
College apparel
Graduation cords or medals
Books
Flowers
Vehicles
Pets
Hobby-related items


Personal touches make your gallery more meaningful and unique.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

Every school has different requirements and submission deadlines.


Because of this, I do not submit yearbook photos on your behalf.


However, I do provide enhanced retouching options for yearbook images and make it easy to download your final high-resolution file for submission.


Be sure to check with your school regarding:


Submission deadlines
File size requirements
Orientation requirements
Accepted file formats

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

South Dakota weather can be unpredictable.


If rain, storms, or unsafe conditions are expected, I will contact you to discuss rescheduling options.


Cloudy skies often photograph beautifully, so sessions are not automatically rescheduled for overcast conditions.


For non-weather-related rescheduling requests, I ask for at least 24 hours' notice whenever possible.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

All senior collections include professionally edited high-resolution digital images and a personal print release.


This means you may:


Download your images
Share them online
Create graduation announcements
Use them for graduation parties
Print them wherever you'd like


There is never any obligation to purchase prints through Dakota Wanderlust Photography.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

While all senior collections include a print release, professional printing options are available directly through your online gallery for those who want the highest quality results.


Products include:


Fine art prints
Wall artwork
Canvas collections
Albums
Keepsake products
Graduation gifts


The professional labs available through your gallery were carefully selected by Dakota Wanderlust Photography for their exceptional print quality, accurate color reproduction, premium materials, and long-lasting archival products.


While you're welcome to print your images wherever you'd like, I highly recommend using the professional print lab available through your gallery. Consumer print labs such as Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and many other photo services often apply automatic color and brightness corrections that can significantly alter the appearance of your images. This can result in prints that appear too dark, too bright, overly saturated, lacking detail, or noticeably different from the images delivered in your gallery.


Professional printing helps ensure your senior portraits are produced as they were intended to be seen, with accurate color, beautiful detail, premium materials, and a level of quality designed to be enjoyed and displayed for years to come.


For milestone moments like senior year, investing in quality prints and artwork is one of the best ways to preserve these memories long after graduation day.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Why Most Sessions Take Place Before Sunset

What to Wear

What to Bring

Yearbook Photo Information

Weather & Rescheduling

Your Images & Print Rights

Professional Printing Options

Downloading Your Gallery

When your gallery is ready, you'll receive an email with a private gallery link.


From there, you can:


Download your included images
Purchase additional images
Order professional prints
Share your gallery with family and friends


The process is simple and designed to make preserving and sharing your images easy.


Cap & Gown Portraits


Cap and gown portraits are a wonderful way to celebrate everything you've accomplished.


Many senior collections include a complimentary mini cap and gown session with bonus images.


For detailed preparation tips, outfit recommendations, and graduation photo ideas, be sure to visit my:

Cap & Gown Session Guide

FAQ

 

Can I bring family members?

Absolutely. Family members are welcome, especially for collections that include family portraits.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes. Many seniors feel more comfortable bringing a friend, sibling, or parent for encouragement.

Can I bring my pet?

Absolutely. Pets are welcome as long as the location permits them.

What if I don't know how to pose?

That's completely normal. I will guide you throughout the entire session.

How long does it take to receive my gallery?

Most galleries are delivered within 2 to 4 weeks after your session.

Ready to Book?

 

Senior year only happens once.


Whether you're dreaming of adventurous Black Hills scenery, meaningful graduation portraits, or a complete storytelling experience throughout your senior year, I'd be honored to help preserve this unforgettable chapter.

 

 

Interested in a senior session but not ready to book yet? Complete the inquiry form and I'll be happy to answer your questions, discuss availability, and help you choose the right experience.

 

Questions? Start Here →

 

This form is for general questions and availability inquiries only.



 

View Senior Experiences & Book Your Session