Tears are allowed.
I mean come on - your baby is graduating.
RULE NUMBER ONE:
For real though, I know not only how emotional senior year can be but how stressful it is as well. I feel you and I am here to (hopefully) ease some of the weight for you.
There is so much to consider when it comes time for senior photos:
When should you book? Where should you shoot? What season should I take pictures in? How many outfits are too many? I'm here to address some of these questions for you but my number one piece of advice is to let your senior be true to themselves.
I always tell clients that senior pictures are critical. I know that seems a bit much, but stay with me. This is the last session your child will have as a child. It is the session that will freeze them right now, before they embark off into the next adventure, the next chapter of their lives. So don't force them to be too dressed up if that's not them. Let them showcase who they are right now in this chapter of life. I'm not here to make your kid, that is wearing their best suit, lean against seven different props that all the other kids in their class leaned on. I am here to capture your child for who they are and where they are comfortable - no stiff pictures. And no shade but this is so not the 80s anymore - we encourage creativity now.
So now that that is out of the way, here are the top questions I get regarding senior pictures:
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Typically I say to start getting in touch with me around the end of May. That leaves more than enough time to set up a consultation and get a game plan set in place. The game plan will give us a chance to cover the questions below more in depth and tailored to you and your senior. However, I would like to add that I open applications for my Senior Rep Program the beginning of May so be on the lookout for that (see the button on the Senior home page that will give you more info)
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Anywhere can be a good location. That sounds crazy but I am so serious, I like to find the beauty in all places. However, some typical places I shoot are Beaver Creek, Mill Creek, and my grandparents farm. That being said, I am always open for new places and new ideas. We would discuss this further in our consultation as well. This allows me to get a feel of what style you are looking for and then build a location guide tailored to the desired outcome.
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Again, any season can be a good one. (although, I do try to steer clear of that Jan-March dead season.) But each season has cons as well. Summer is great for the lush, green grass and beautiful bright colors, but it also brings harsh sun and heat. Fall in Ohio/ PA is to die for. The foliage, on the trees and on the ground, is absolutely incredible and you also have milder sun and heat. But timing is so crucial: too early and you won't have as much color, but too late and all the leaves will be on the ground. There is also the fact that it starts getting darker earlier. Spring is another great season, especially for the blooming flowers and the lighter colored grass, but it also brings lots of rain and mud (and maybe some snow). The season you want to shoot in depends on what you want the aesthetic of your photos to be. This takes some planning and a little flexibility for weather changes.
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I like to think that two-three per session tops. You want a variety but you also don't want too much going on. But again, this is mostly personal preference. I also think it is important to have balance. If your senior likes to be more casual, let them. But also have some photos in a fancier outfit. This makes you both happy with the outcome of the photos and leaves little fighting leading up to it.
I know it's stressful. And I know it seems like a lot of planning but this season is supposed to be fun. It's supposed to be creative. But most importantly it is supposed to capture your child for who they are. To ensure that, I make sure I get to know you during our consultation. And I also do a lot of crazy things in session to bring out that real smile, to create a real moment of joy, and to freeze that laugh on camera so you can cherish it forever.
I would love to talk more in depth with you about your senior experience. But more importantly I would love to sit down over some coffee and get to know you guys so we can make this an experience, rather than another to do.
