Thursday 11 June 2015

Prom Picture List


We're gearing up for another prom.  This will be our fourth.


In two weeks, we'll be celebrating another high school graduate.


But this week it will be all about the dresses and fancy suits.  Up-do's and corsages.  Dinner and dancing.  And the party bus.


As I look back through the photos I took the last three times we did this, I see all of the pictures that I didn't take and wish I had.  I also see that we were blessed with good weather every time.  Unfortunately, tomorrow's forecast doesn't look as promising.

So I give you my lessons learned, in the form of a Prom Picture List.  The photos I took, and all the ones that I wish I'd taken.
  • The prom tickets.  Our school comes up with a unique and crafty design every year, and chances are good they'll come home wrinkled up in a pocket at the end of the night.
  • Preparation photos.  Dress shopping.  Hair and nail appointments.  Tuxedo fitting.  Getting that tie done up properly.

  • Your son/daughter in their dress/tux/suit - alone.  I took a ton of photos of my kids with their prom dates, and they're wonderful, but a few years later they're no longer with the same people.  I treasure the photos, and the memories, but I wish I had a few of my kids by themselves. Try to take a few different poses, showing different angles of the outfit that cost you a small fortune.  The temptation is to capture the entire outfit in full body shots, but try to zoom in close for a few pictures.
  • A photo of you with your child.  Every year that we've done this, I've been behind the scenes in my shorts, T-shirt, and ponytail, and I've resisted being in any of the photos.  I regret this.
  • Couple shots, including putting on their corsages.  Again, zoom in close for a few.


  • Group shots.  And if you're a boy mom, get those girls in a few pictures.  All of those colourful dresses are an amazing sight!

  • In the car.  Maybe you rented a limo.  Maybe they're driving Dad's normally off-limits convertible.  Maybe they're all piling into a party bus.  Capture it.


  • The surroundings.  All of our graduating classes choose the lakeshore for their pre-prom photos, which makes for some nice scenery.  Zoom out and take it all in.


I've also learned to use the flash, even on sunny days, to cut down on the shadows that surrounding trees can create.

Hopefully tomorrow night I will remember to change up the poses and angles, capture the details and scenery, and have a back up plan for the thunderstorms they're forecasting.





18 comments:

  1. Dear Jenn, These pictures look so nice and the memories are precious. xo Catherine

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  2. I appreciate the tips because you can probably imagine how neurotic I will be about the photography! I shoot weddings for a living! Gorgeous and fun photos!

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  3. I so am bookmarking this for the future! Outstanding tips my friend!! And such a stunning group of kids! I hope they had a blast! Nicole xo

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  4. Great fun! I loved my prom and wished I had more photos! What beautiful dresses and a great backdrop too!

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  5. Good tips! Not just for prom, but for any special event.

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  6. Aww lovely pictures, my son has a prom coming up next week too ..

    Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop

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  7. Such precious memories! thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty

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  8. oh wow, did these bring back some memories!! I don't know how many pictures my mom took -- I think I was actually at my girlfriends house getting ready for all the ones I attended. Of course, we are still a long way off from this adventure in our house... but I can't wait!!
    it's so exciting. I'll have to bookmark these tips somewhere

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  9. Hi Jenn,
    I love all the prom photos! I don't have a favorite, they are all gorgeous ladies and handsome young men :) I hope the weather held out and everyone had a great time!

    Dawn
    @ A Place for Pictures and Memories

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  10. Everyone looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing your post at the #AnythingGoes Link Party.

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  11. Lovely pics - I agree, the girls' dresses look so colorful and beautiful when they are all lined up together. I took a ton of pics this year, although I think my daughter took just as many selfies. My favorites were the photos I took of the girls taking selfies with the selfie stick - so candid and fun!

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  12. Great pictures and great tips! Thanks for sharing them at bloggers brags party. Pinned!

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  13. Aww! Looks like they had a great time! :)

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  14. What a fun time in the lies of these kids, the girls are beautiful and the guys handsome. Fabulous photos!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing on the Oh My Heartsie Girls WW this week.

    Hope you have a great week!
    Karren

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  15. What a great selection of photos and looks like everyone had such a great time! Thank you for sharing with OMHG Wordless Wednesday Link Party.. Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove x

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  16. My oldest hasn't even started school yet, but I know I'll blink and it will be our turn for this event. I hope I can find your list then - it's great, thanks for sharing!

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  17. Great tips...I love the photo of the party bus with a dozen girls and only 3 guys! So many beautiful dresses.

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  18. These are some really great tips! I wish I had read this before my daughters prom last month, there are quite a few things I would have done differently, too! Thanks for sharing with us at the Talented Tuesday Link Party!

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