Here’s a question I wish more seniors would ask before planning their senior pictures.
What do you think you’ll want to remember about this year?
Not what looks good on Pinterest.
Not what everyone else is doing.
Not even what your mom wants to hang on the wall. (Sorry, Mom. We’ll get to that too.) 😂
I’m talking about the little things that make your senior year yours.
The people.
The places.
The things you spend your time doing.
The parts of your life that feel completely ordinary right now.
Because those are often the things that change the fastest.
And while I can’t photograph every moment of your senior year, I can help you think about which ones deserve a place in your senior portraits.
The Things You Do Every Day
Think about how much of your life revolves around things you probably don’t give a second thought.
The sport you’ve played since elementary school.
The instrument you practice.
The dance studio where you’ve spent more hours than you’d care to count.
The car you’ve been working on with Dad.
Maybe it’s something you’ve been doing for years.
Maybe it’s something you just discovered.
Either way, those interests are part of who you are right now.
And they don’t have to take over your entire senior session to be included.
Sometimes all we need is a few photographs that tell that part of your story.
The Places That Feel Like Home
I love a beautiful location.
Give me gorgeous light, interesting architecture or a field at sunset, and I’m happy.
But sometimes the best location isn’t the prettiest one.
It’s the one that means something.
Maybe it’s your grandparents’ farm.
The baseball field where you’ve played since you were little.
The downtown area where you spend time with friends.
Or a place your family has visited for years.
There are plenty of beautiful locations around Blue Springs and Kansas City.
But the location that matters most isn’t necessarily the one everyone else is choosing.
It’s the one that feels like you.
And if you don’t have a meaningful location in mind?
That’s okay too.
We can choose somewhere beautiful that fits your personality and the look you want.
Not every photograph needs a deep emotional backstory. Sometimes we just want a really great picture. 😂
The People Who Have Been There Along the Way
Senior year is full of people who have helped you get here.
Your parents.
Your siblings.
Your best friend.
Your teammates.
Maybe even the dog who’s been waiting for you to come home from school every afternoon.
Not everyone needs to be part of your actual senior portrait session.
But I do think it’s worth stopping to consider which relationships you want documented before graduation.
Maybe that means a quick photograph with Mom.
Maybe it’s a picture with your dog.
Maybe it’s making sure you take some pictures with your friends before everyone heads in different directions.
Your senior year isn’t just about you. It’s also about the people who’ve shared it with you.
The Version of Yourself You Are Right Now
Here’s something that might surprise you.
I don’t think every senior picture needs to be a big production.
Don’t get me wrong.
I love creating beautiful portraits.
I love great lighting.
I love helping you choose outfits and locations that make you look amazing.
But I also love the photographs where you look completely comfortable.
The real smile.
The laugh you weren’t expecting.
The expression your parents recognize immediately.
The photograph that makes someone say:
“That is SO you.”
Because your senior portraits shouldn’t just show what you looked like.
They should remind you a little bit of what it felt like to be you at 17 or 18.
The Details You Might Not Think About
Sometimes the smallest details tell the biggest stories.
The letter on your varsity jacket.
The boots you practically live in.
Your favorite guitar.
The necklace your grandma gave you.
The college sweatshirt you’ve already started wearing everywhere.
Your favorite pair of sneakers.
Now, I’m not suggesting you bring the entire contents of your bedroom to your senior session.
Please don’t. I only have so much room in my car. 😂
But if there’s something you wear, use or love that feels like part of your identity, tell me about it.
It might be worth including.
And sometimes those details inspire photographs you wouldn’t have thought to plan on your own.
What About the Pictures You’ll Need for Graduation?
Okay, let’s talk about the practical stuff.
Because senior pictures aren’t only about the memories.
You’re probably going to need images for things like graduation announcements, thank-you cards and sharing with family.
And yes, Mom might have a particular photograph in mind for the wall.
That’s okay.
We can plan for those things too.
The goal is to create a collection of images that serves more than one purpose.
Some photographs are perfect for graduation.
Some are perfect for artwork.
Some are just plain fun.
And some might become favorites for reasons you don’t even know yet.
That’s why I like having a plan before we ever pick up the camera.
You Don’t Have to Figure All of This Out Yourself
If you’re reading this thinking:
“Okay, Megan. That’s great. But I still have absolutely no idea what I want.”
Good news.
You don’t have to arrive with a Pinterest board containing 87 poses and a detailed spreadsheet of locations.
We’ll talk about your interests.
Your style.
What you love.
What you absolutely do not want.
And how you want your senior pictures to feel.
We’ll figure out what makes sense to include and what doesn’t.
Because a great senior session isn’t about checking off every possible photo idea.
It’s about creating something that feels personal to you.
Before Senior Year Is Over, Ask Yourself This
What do I love doing right now?
Who are the people I want photographs with?
Are there places that have been important to me?
What little details feel like part of my story?
And what would I be disappointed not to have photographed?
You don’t need an answer to every question.
But thinking about them now can help you make decisions you’ll be happy with later.
Don’t Forget These 7 Photos
I actually put together a free guide called “7 Photos Most Seniors Regret Not Having.”
It’s designed to help you think beyond the obvious senior pictures and make sure you’re not overlooking photographs you might wish you had later.
Because graduation comes with enough things to remember.
Let’s make the photo part a little easier.
Grab your free copy of “7 Photos Most Seniors Regret Not Having” here.
And if you’re ready to plan senior portraits in Blue Springs or the Kansas City area, I’d love to help you create something that’s completely you.
Let’s start planning your senior experience.
Keep Planning Your Senior Experience
When Should You Take Senior Pictures? How to Choose the Best Season for You — Figure out the timing that works best for your senior.
What to Expect at Your Senior Portrait Session: A Step-by-Step Guide — See how the session comes together from beginning to end.
What Makes a Great Senior Photographer? 7 Questions to Ask Before Booking — Know what to look for before choosing your photographer.
7 Photos Most Seniors Regret Not Having A free guide to help you remember the photos you might not think to take.