Forget the Studio: We Took This Senior’s Shoot Straight to the Golden Arches
Senior year is a landmark. It's the culmination of childhood and the exciting leap toward whatever's next. So why do so many senior photos feel... generic?
A senior shoot shouldn't just be a checklist item you rush through. It should be the ultimate experience that captures who your student is right now. Not just a pretty picture, but an authentic, joy-filled memory.
That's why I treat every senior session less like a "shoot" and more like a personal passion project.
It All Starts with the Interview
Before the camera even comes out of the bag, we sit down for a real conversation. This is the most critical part of the process, because it’s not just about planning locations—it’s about getting to know the human being who’s about to graduate.
I want to know about the late-night study sessions, the ridiculous inside jokes, the band that changed everything, and the one place they feel most like themselves.
What’s your favorite album on repeat?
What's a totally random thing you collect?
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What’s your one non-negotiable food?
This isn’t small talk; it's the treasure map to designing a shoot that feels completely, unequivocally them.
From Conversation to Clicks: Finding the Magic
Once I understand their world, the fun of styling and location scouting begins. The goal is to move beyond the typical park or downtown wall and find settings that are truly reflective of their personality.
The best shoots are built on those tiny, personal details.
I recently worked with a senior who was a perfect example of this. This kid loves McDonald’s. And I don't mean just likes it—I mean his favorite, most-worn shoes are a pair of McDonald’s-themed Crocs, complete with Jibbitz and plenty of scuffs that show how much he actually lives in them.
So, where did we do a significant part of his senior session?
Inside McDonald’s, of course!
After getting permission from the management, we scheduled our session during a non-crowded time so we could capture the fun without disrupting their business or other customers. This allowed him to sit down and genuinely enjoy his favorite meal right inside the restaurant. The camera was there to capture the experience—the genuine smile, the unscripted joy of him just being in his element, holding his fries, wearing his beloved, ridiculous shoes.
The results weren't stiff portraits; they were photos of pure, honest-to-goodness joy. That's the difference between a picture and a memory.
