High school senior photo shoots are always fun, especially with returning clients like Sydney.
Last summer, I had the pleasure of photographing Sydney, a 2023 graduate from Olentangy High School. We first met during a BLM project I did in 2020 with her entire family, and it was great to see her again for her senior session!
Sydney is a busy student and knew it would be hard to find time for pictures once her senior year started. So she scheduled her shoot early, chose the time of day that fit her schedule, and when the weather got a little crazy, we rolled with the punches.
I hope this post will inspire you as you prepare for your senior photo session. And I hope you see that no two sessions are the same. But with some preparation and flexibility, you’ll still have a shoot that fits your style.
Summer Senior Photos and Flow-Posing
Are you a busy student? If so, summer break might be the perfect time to schedule your senior photos.
As I mentioned above, Sydney is an active student-athlete and knew it would be hard to squeeze in senior photos once school began. That's why she scheduled her session in late summer, just before her senior year started.
We did her session at Highbanks Metro Park, one of my favorite locations on the north end of Columbus. It has plenty of open shade and space to move around to create variety in photos.
Although Sydney had a tight schedule, I kept things moving smoothly with my "flow-posing" technique. This usually looks like taking bursts of photos in each location before moving on to the next spot or doing a quick wardrobe change.
This approach keeps the energy high and prevents clients from overthinking the process or getting in their heads about posing.
Flexibility in Senior Photography
I always encourage senior clients to keep an open mind and be flexible in their sessions. When you have an open mind that things may not go exactly as planned, you’ll have a lot more fun (and avoid disappointment).
Whether it's with hair, outfits, locations, or weather, there are always things that don’t go as planned. And that’s okay!
For instance, during Sydney's session, the humidity caused her hair to lose the amazing waves she had styled that morning. Instead of stressing about it, she braided her hair and continued the session. And you know what? That ended up being one of her favorite looks.
Go with the flow, have a good time, and stay flexible with your plans.
Making the Most of Mid-Day Lighting
Who says middle-of-the-day lighting can't look great? Not me! When Sydney requested a mid-day session, I was up for the challenge.
While some photographers prefer to shoot at golden hour when the sun sets, I work a little differently.
Because I carry my outdoor lighting equipment everywhere, we can create senior photos anytime - even in the mid-day sun. So if your schedule only allows for photos in the middle of the day, don’t stress it. Just bring your A-game, and I’ll take care of the rest.
Accommodating Schedules - Early and Late in the School Year
As I write this, it’s March 2023. If you’ve waited to have senior photos taken, it’s not too late. I wrote all about that here - check it out!
But if you have a jam-packed senior year lined up, why wait? Getting your photos done early allows you to focus on all the fun stuff that comes with being a senior.
Since I'm a teacher, I have summers off too, which means my schedules typically match my senior clients’ schedules. Not all photographers can drop everything for a middle-of-the-week session, but I can.
I know how nerve-wracking it can be to have your photos taken, especially if it's your first time doing a professional photo shoot. I want you to feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. When we work together, I spend the first 15-20 minutes getting to know you and your interests before I take the first photo.
And the best part? My clients usually leave our sessions feeling extra confident. Here’s what a recent senior had to say about her senior photo session.
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