Virginia Beach Senior Portraits

Before you Graduate: Why We Choose to Work with a Makeup Artist

Why We Work With a MUA

We often get asked why we use makeup artists and how they can really benefit our seniors. There are many reasons why we choose to work with a MUA. We want to make you feel like a glamour model – using a makeup artist adds a special treatment that you don’t get every day. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a little pampering?

Before you Graduate: How long of a session do I need?

Session Length Explanation

Not sure how much time you need for your custom senior session? You’ve come to the right place! We’re here to help you figure out the perfect length for your photo shoot. We currently offer three slots: 30 minutes, one hour, and one to two hours. 

Before you Graduate: Now booking – Prom Mini Sessions!

Prom Mini Sessions

It’s that time of year again! SmartShot Photography is now preparing for prom mini sessions! We have a limited amount of time slots available, so you’ll need to move fast on this offer. These sessions last for 15 to 30 minutes (15 for one couple, 30 for two couples).

Before you Graduate: Tips for planning your BFF session

Ideas for Planning for Your BFF Session

Senior year is a time when you make all of your last high school memories before graduation and enter your new life. As time goes by, life will get hectic and crazy and these memories will start to fade. Planning a BFF session will help preserve these memories forever and help create some new ones during this fun photo shoot! Below are some tips to help you come up with a plan for your session:

  • Location

Choose a location that means something to you and your bestie. If you like to hang out at the local skate park or walk around the town square, these are places we could go for your session. We can also talk to your school about setting up there. If you are in drama club and want to recreate some memories in the theatre or have a special lunch table or a joint locker, etc., we want to incorporate these things as well. 


  • Props

Now it’s time to think about props. Do you want to bring your sunglasses because you guys are obsessed with oversized shades? How about a copy of your favorite magazine so you can look through it and get all the latest celebrity gossip during our session – talk about multi-tasking! Are you planning on going to the same college after graduation? If so, you can bring some college swag to your session! You can bring your graduation caps/gowns if you’d like. We can even stop by and grab some props during your session – if you are coffee lovers, we can take some photos of you and your BFF at your favorite coffee shop, or we can stop for some ice cream cones for some super cute shots. Think about the things that you guys like to do together and bring items that will reflect it in the photos.


  • Clothing

When it comes to clothing, you don’t want to be completely matchy-matchy (unless you are going to the twin BFF look). However, you don’t want to clash either. Choose a color palette that looks good on both of you and coordinate your outfits with colors from that scheme. Don’t forget to bring matching shoes and accessories.