Senior pictures don’t have to be a major production. Some students love the idea of spending hours taking photos, planning multiple outfits, and visiting different locations. Others prefer something simple: getting a few good shots for Mom and then getting on with their day. Both approaches are valid.
For Ava, a senior at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, the plan was to keep things simple. We met early in the morning at the Nichols Arboretum, took advantage of the soft morning light, and kept a brisk pace. There were no complicated itineraries and, definitely, no spending half the day in front of my camera.
The Nichols Arboretum works especially well for a short graduation session because it offers plenty of variety within a relatively small area. We started amidst the greenery and yellow flowers, which looked fantastic against Ava’s black top and bright pink hair. From there, we explored the wooded areas and made use of the trails, stone steps, benches, flowers, and some of the site’s architecture.
A quick outfit change allowed us to achieve a completely different look without complicating the session. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy photographing students here: you don’t have to travel all over Ann Arbor to get variety. A walk of just a few minutes is enough to find a totally different backdrop.
I’ve worked with many parents who really want senior pictures, while their teens aren’t exactly counting down the days to the session. If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone.
I’m not going to try to convince your child that posing for photos should suddenly become their new favorite hobby. My job is to make the experience comfortable, keep things moving, and create photos that truly reflect their personality.
Ava’s session is a great example. We didn’t need hours to get a great mix of close-up portraits, full-body shots, varied backgrounds, two outfit changes, and more relaxed, candid-style images. Mom got the photos she wanted, and Ava didn’t have to endure a marathon session. I’d say it was a win-win.
Most importantly, senior pictures don’t have to follow someone else’s formula. That’s why my sessions fit the senior and not the other way around!
Want senior pictures that actually mean something? I’ll help you create a session that feels like you. Let’s plan something that tells your story and highlights where you’re headed next.
➡️ Visit our Senior Pictures pricing page for additional information.
📞 Call or text 313-883-9500 any time
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