Tips for the Perfect Swimming Senior Pictures

Congratulations graduating seniors! You’re likely thinking about your senior pictures. If you’re a swimmer, chances are you’ll want to show your love of the sport through your photos. But how do you make sure that your pictures look amazing when we all know that photos of swimmers in action aren’t always the most attractive? We'll dive into the art of senior swim photography, providing you with valuable tips and techniques to create stunning and timeless images.

Read on for our tips on how to take the perfect swimming senior photos. We’ve got you covered whether you’re working with a professional photographer or looking to capture amazing shots on your mobile phone – even underwater!

1. Plan Ahead

Before diving into the world of senior swim photography, it's crucial to plan your shoot in advance. Consider the location, weather conditions, and time of day. Ensure that the swimming pool or natural water setting provides a visually appealing backdrop that complements the senior's personality and style.

2. Choose your Location

Will you shoot your senior portraits at the pool or near a natural body of water? You probably spend a lot of time at your school or community swimming pool, so doing your pictures there can create a great sense of place for when you look back on your senior pictures with sentimentality. However, a lot of photographers prefer to shoot outside with natural lighting. A nearby lake or calm stream could be a great location if you want your pictures to have a sunny, outdoorsy look. Of course, you can always opt to do your photos in a studio. This will give you and your photographer more control over the final portrait. With the right background and props, you’ll still be able to get that flawless swimmer look.

3. Lighting is Key

Good lighting can make or break a photograph. When shooting senior swim pictures, natural light is often the best choice. Outdoor shoots during the golden hour (the hour before sunset or after sunrise) can provide soft, warm light that enhances the mood and adds a touch of magic to the images. Avoid harsh midday sun, as it can create unflattering shadows and excessive highlights.

4. Stay Dry

Before you jump in the water, make sure you get a few shots by the side of the pool or lake. This allows you to have your hair and makeup done for that polished senior portrait look. You can always have the water in the background, and with the right props, you’ll still look like a swimmer. Which brings us to the next tip…

5. Choose What you Wear

Do you want to be wearing your swimsuit, or is it enough to be wearing your team’s warm-up jacket? You can always wear both! If you have a letter jacket, consider wearing that for your pictures. You worked hard to earn that letter! Goggles are a must, just make sure they’re up on your head or in your hand so that your photographer can still see your eyes. If you look great in a swim cap, go ahead and throw that on for your photos, but don’t feel bad if you’d rather have your hair showing. Damp (not sopping wet!) hair can look really cool in pictures, especially if you’re taking studio photos but still want to look like you just got out of the pool.

6. Take Some Action Shots

Okay, now that you’ve got your poolside glamour shots out of the way, go ahead and jump in the water if you want some action shots! Have your photographer take lots of these so you’ll have options to find your best look. Experiment taking pictures doing different strokes, jumping into the water, or using your reflection to get some super cool pictures.

 

7. Experiment with Underwater Photography

While it’s not necessary for great senior swim photos, it’s wonderful to capture swimmers in their element – underwater!

Waterproof cameras or protective housing for your camera can make it possible to capture unique and captivating images from below the surface. With the right waterproof protection, even phones can capture incredible underwater action shots. We like the Outex Phone Case. It can turn just about any smartphone into an underwater camera. Underwater it has complete touchscreen functionality. Even photography novices can take professional-grade underwater photos. It can also capture video underwater if you’re looking to analyze your swimming form.

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If you are a senior working with a professional photographer, ask them if they are comfortable shooting while in the water.

8. Bonus: Ask Your Photographer if they’re Willing to Get Wet

9. Editing and Post-Processing

Once you've captured a collection of senior swim pictures, the editing process allows you to enhance their visual impact. Use photo editing software to adjust exposure, colors, and contrast to bring out the best in your images. However, strive for a natural look and avoid excessive editing, as it can detract from the authenticity of the moment.

10. Prints and Displays

To truly celebrate the senior's achievements and create lasting memories, consider printing and displaying the best images. Showcase them in photo albums, frame them for wall art, or create a personalized photo book. Tangible prints provide a tangible connection to the captured memories and can be cherished for years to come.

Be sure to think over how you’d like your swimmers’ senior portraits to look. Think it over for a while, maybe during a swim with your waterproof audio player Delphin 2.0. It can play music, podcasts and books from Spotify, Audible, Apple Music, Libby and more underwater.

Hopefully these tips inspired you to show your love for swimming in your senior portraits. Let your unique personality shine through. With your some well-thought out shots and some skills behind the lens, you can freeze these precious moments in time, creating a visual legacy that will be cherished for generations. Good luck with your photos, and congratulations on all of your accomplishments!