Prom night is here—cue the dresses, tuxes and high emotions! If you’re a mama with a teen getting ready to head out in full glam, or you’re attending prom yourself, you know the pressure is real to get a few perfect pics before prom night. As a senior photographer based in Liberty Hill and Austin, Texas, I’ve been on the front lines of prom pictures, and I’m here to help you avoid the dreaded “bad lighting, weird angle, blurry chaos” photo situation.

Whether you’re working with an iPhone or a pro camera, these 5 tips will help you take incredible prom pictures that you will actually want to frame.

So, grab your phone (or your camera), charge it up, and let’s get into it!

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📍 1. Find the Right Light

Lighting can make or break your prom photos. The trick? Look for soft, natural light. The absolute best time to shoot is during golden hour—that dreamy, glowy time about 1 hour before sunset. Put your prom-goers so that their backs are to the sun!

If you’re taking photos earlier in the day, avoid harsh direct sunlight. Look for open shade, like next to a garage, under a tree, or on a porch. This keeps shadows off faces and colors looking true.

Bonus tip: Make sure your prom-goer isn’t the full sun! You’d rather them be fully in a shadow (like under a tree) to get the best coloring. Try to avoid spotty light too (where parts of them are getting hit with the sun and parts are in the shadows).

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👗 2. Capture the Details

Prom is all about the details—the sequins, the shoes, the corsage, the hair styles. Don’t skip over the small stuff! These shots add story and style to your prom photo collection.

Try this mini checklist:

• Close-up of the corsage (or bouquet) and boutonniere
• Back of the dress or detailed embroidery
• Jewelry and hair accessories
• The shoes (especially if they’re sparkly or bold!)

These shots are perfect for Instagram carousels or photo albums.

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📥 Prom Photo Checklist (Free Download!)

Want to make sure you don’t miss a single prom moment? I created a Free Prom Photo Checklist just for you! It’s perfect to keep on your phone’s Notes App while you’re snapping pics or to send to anyone helping capture the big night!

💡 Click below to download the checklist and make prom picture stress a thing of the past!

Download the Prom Photo Checklist

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📸 3. Mix Posed and Candid

Get your classic “posed” shots—standing straight, smiling, arms around each other—and then shake things up! Some of the best prom photos happen when your prom-goers are laughing, adjusting each other’s boutonnieres, or spinning around just for fun.

Here are a few ideas:

• Have them walk toward you holding hands then turn around and walk away holding hands
• Have them tell their prom date a joke & snap the reaction
• Ask the group to do a silly pose after the formal one
• Have them spin their prom date around (or be spun around)

You’ll end up with genuine emotion instead of stiff smiles!

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👨‍👩‍👧 4. Don’t Forget Family Shots

Your prom-goer might act like they’re over it, but deep down, these photos with YOU mean something. So make sure to grab a few quick shots of your prom-goer with mom, dad, siblings—even grandparents if they’re there.

Keep it quick and casual so it doesn’t feel like a chore. Trust me, these will be some of your favorite photos years from now.

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📱 5. Use What You’ve Got

No fancy camera? No problem! Most smartphones today have incredible portrait capabilities. Just turn on Portrait Mode, tap the face to focus, and shoot away. Keep your elbows steady and take more than one—you’ll be glad you did.

and don’t forget to get the WHOLE outfit – don’t cut off shoes or dresses, you want to make sure nothing gets missed!

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👑 Final Thoughts: Prom Night is a Big Deal

This night is about more than just dresses and dancing—it’s about celebrating your teen growing up, stepping out, and making memories that last a lifetime. These photos will be a piece of that legacy.

Whether you’re snapping the pics yourself or want help from a pro, the goal is simple: capture the joy.

And if you’re looking for a Senior photographer in Liberty Hill or Austin, Texas who knows how to capture real, authentic, joyful moments? I’m your girl. Reach out here to learn more about Prom and Senior sessions with Jaclyn May Photography.

📌 Don’t forget to Pin it!

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