An old haunted hotel, a bug infested dock by a lake…are these the things that typically come to mind when you think of a senior photo shoot?  NO!!  But taking a look at these photos, you will know that these locations gave the perfect backdrop for this beautiful senior photo shoot!!

Marie Sant of Marie Carmel Photography in Saratoga Springs, Utah made the locations that may seem unusual at first, perfect!  Check out the session below and read what Marie had to say about it!  And be sure to check out more of Marie’s work here.  Thanks for sharing Marie!

What was your inspiration for the photo shoot?  LIGHT!  I went into this shoot focused on finding the light first and then figuring out how to use the location.

Where did this photo shoot take place?  Various locations in Saratoga Springs, UT including a “haunted” old hotel and bug infested docks.  So glad Sophie was up for anything!

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?  I always have my seniors send me cell phone pictures of their outfits before the shoot.  This lets me get a feel for their style and helps narrow down location options.

What camera, lens and equipment were used for this shoot? Nikon D700, 85mm and 50mm 1.4

What time of day were these taken?  Started 2 hours before sunset

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?  I really try to keep the senior looking gorgeous and natural.  I remove blemishes but keep skin smoothing to a minimum and always make sure they are the obvious focus of the image.

What is your favorite thing about this session?  I love the variety of the locations and I really love the light.  Sophie is absolutely gorgeous inside and out and I feel like these pictures captured her perfectly.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?  I really want to stand out and be known not only for fabulous images (I hope!), but to give these girls a cutting edge, one-of-a-kind, fashion model experience.  When else do you have a photoshoot just for you?  I want my seniors to walk away feeling uplifted, confident and gorgeous.

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?  Be fun and energetic and give lots of direction.  They all feel self-conscious at first, but the more confident and down-to-earth I am, the quicker they feel at ease with me and my camera.